New research has revealed that human hair doesn’t just get “pushed” out of the scalp as it grows. Instead, it’s actually pulled upward by a hidden network of moving cells deep inside the follicle. This surprising shift in our understanding of hair growth challenges textbook biology and may help explain why some hair treatments work, why others don’t, and where the next generation of therapies for hair loss and scalp health might come from.

In this article, we’ll explore what scientists have discovered about this pull-driven mechanism, why it matters for everyday people who care about their hair, and how this science might shape future approaches to hair loss, hair care, and regenerative medicine.

Microscopic visualization of human hair follicle growth
Researchers visualized living hair follicles and found that coordinated cell movement pulls hair upward rather than simply pushing it out. Image credit: Phys.org / Science X Network.

A quiet revolution in how we understand hair growth

For decades, biology textbooks have described a fairly simple idea: new cells form at the base of the hair follicle and push older cells upward, producing a growing hair shaft. The new study, published in late 2025 and reported by Phys.org, suggests that this picture is incomplete. Instead, hair appears to be drawn out of the skin by mechanical forces generated by cells that actively migrate and contract around the follicle.

“It’s not just a passive conveyor belt of cells. Hair growth is more like a coordinated cellular tug-of-war that pulls the hair fiber upward,” one of the study’s senior authors explained in an interview.

The traditional “pushing” model—and why it fell short

The classic model of hair growth is intuitive: think of new bricks being stacked at the bottom of a column, forcing older bricks upward. In this view:

  • Hair matrix cells divide at the base of the follicle.
  • Newly formed cells harden (keratinize) and die, forming the hair shaft.
  • Continued cell division below “pushes” the older, hardened cells out of the skin.

This model explains some aspects of hair growth, but it doesn’t fully fit observations from high-resolution imaging and live follicle studies. For instance, hair doesn’t always grow in a smooth, linear way; growth can pause, speed up, or change in response to signals in the surrounding tissue. And some patterns of hair loss hinted that mechanical forces might play a bigger role than once thought.


The new finding: Hair is pulled upward by a moving cellular network

Using advanced live-imaging techniques and 3D reconstructions of human hair follicles, the research team followed individual cells in real time. What they found was an organized choreography of cells:

  1. Cells don’t just sit and divide—they migrate along defined paths around the follicle.
  2. Some of these cells connect to the developing hair shaft and surrounding structures, forming a mechanical network.
  3. The coordinated movement and contraction of this network exerts an upward pulling force on the hair fiber.

In other words, your hair isn’t passively squeezed out; it’s actively drawn out by forces generated within the follicle itself. This is a subtle but powerful shift in perspective.

Scientist studying hair follicles under a microscope
High-resolution microscopy and live imaging allowed researchers to track individual cells as they moved within human hair follicles.

The study also suggests that this pulling mechanism may be fine-tuned by chemical signals from surrounding skin cells, blood vessels, immune cells, and the tiny muscle (the arrector pili) attached to each follicle.


Why this matters for hair loss, hair care, and scalp health

At first glance, this might sound like a niche detail—but it carries some important implications. If hair growth depends on a well-coordinated pulling system, then anything that disrupts:

  • cell movement,
  • cell-to-cell connections, or
  • the mechanical environment of the follicle

could affect how robustly hair grows, even if traditional “growth signals” (like certain hormones) are present.

In practical terms, this research could influence how scientists design:

  • New hair-loss treatments that target cellular movement or mechanical signaling.
  • Regenerative therapies that try to grow new follicles from stem cells.
  • Scalp-care strategies that protect the follicle’s microenvironment.
“We’re beginning to see hair not just as a chemical process but as a mechanical one,” a dermatologist not involved in the study commented. “That opens up a new dimension for treatment.”

What this means (and doesn’t mean) for your daily hair routine

It’s natural to wonder: if hair is pulled from the inside, should I change how I wash, style, or treat my hair? Based on what we know so far:

  • This research doesn’t suddenly validate miracle products. Any claim that “activates your hair-pulling network” is, at best, premature right now.
  • Gentle care still matters. Excessive traction (tight hairstyles), harsh chemicals, or chronic scalp inflammation can damage follicles and potentially disrupt their internal mechanics.
  • Overall scalp health remains key. Good blood flow, reduced inflammation, and a balanced skin barrier support the cells that create these pulling forces.

You don’t need to overhaul your routine overnight, but you can align with what this science suggests by treating the follicle as a delicate, living organ—not just a hole that hair pops out of.

Person massaging their scalp to support hair and scalp health
Gentle scalp care and reduced mechanical stress on hair may help preserve the follicle’s internal structures, although more research is needed.

Evidence-informed tips to support healthy hair follicles

While the new study focuses on cellular mechanics, it fits into a broader picture of hair biology. Here are realistic, science-aligned ways to support your follicles while researchers continue to unpack the details of pull-driven hair growth:

  1. Minimize chronic traction.
    Styles that pull hard on the hair (tight braids, ponytails, certain extensions) can contribute to traction alopecia over time. Loosening tension reduces mechanical stress on follicles.
  2. Be cautious with harsh treatments.
    Bleaches, strong dyes, and repeated high-heat styling can weaken the hair shaft and irritate the scalp, potentially affecting the cells that maintain the follicle.
  3. Address scalp inflammation early.
    Conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis can alter the follicle environment. A dermatologist can help you find evidence-based treatments.
  4. Support overall health.
    Nutritional deficiencies (iron, certain B vitamins), chronic stress, and some medications can contribute to hair shedding. Managing these with medical guidance indirectly supports follicle function.
  5. Seek professional advice for persistent hair loss.
    If you notice progressive thinning, widening part lines, or patchy loss, early evaluation by a dermatologist or hair specialist offers the best chance of slowing or managing it.

Common frustrations—and how this new science can reframe them

If you’ve struggled with hair loss or slow regrowth, you may feel like you’ve tried everything: shampoos, supplements, topical treatments, lifestyle changes. It’s understandably discouraging when results are limited.

The pull-driven model doesn’t magically solve these frustrations, but it offers a more honest perspective:

  • Hair growth is a complex mechanical and biological process, not just about “more growth factors” or “better blood flow.”
  • Some forms of hair loss involve irreversible damage to follicles, including the internal structures that generate pulling forces.
  • For others, the follicles may be dormant or miniaturized but not destroyed—areas where future therapies might help.
“When I understood that my follicles were tiny, complex machines—not just passive tubes—I felt less blame toward myself,” one patient with androgenetic alopecia shared. “It made my expectations more realistic and my decisions more grounded.”

Acknowledging that your hair challenges are rooted in intricate biology—not personal failure—can be a powerful shift.


What scientists are likely to explore next

The discovery of pull-driven growth opens several research directions. While it’s too early to know which will bear fruit, likely areas include:

  • Mapping the cellular network that generates pulling forces, including which cell types are involved and how they communicate.
  • Identifying key molecular signals that guide cell movement and mechanical behavior within the follicle.
  • Modeling follicle mechanics in 3D tissue-engineered systems to test how different drugs or conditions alter pulling forces.
  • Comparing healthy vs. thinning follicles to see how this mechanical system fails in different hair disorders.
Future hair research will likely combine biomechanics, cell biology, and advanced imaging to better understand how follicles generate pulling forces.

As these studies progress, they will be carefully evaluated in peer-reviewed journals. It usually takes years to move from a basic discovery to any safe, effective therapy, and many candidates never make it that far. Keeping that timescale in mind can help temper expectations while still allowing room for optimism.


Rethinking hair: From “pushed out” to “pulled up”

One way to visualize this shift is to compare the old and new models side by side:

Illustration concept of hair follicles in the scalp
Conceptual comparison: Before – hair thought to be mainly pushed out by dividing cells; After – hair understood as being actively pulled upward by a coordinated cellular network.
  • Before: Hair is largely passive; the action is at the base where cells divide.
  • After: Hair is part of a dynamic mechanical system that includes cell migration, tension, and coordinated forces around the follicle.

This doesn’t negate what we already knew about hormones, genetics, or nutrition. Instead, it layers in a new dimension: the physics of hair growth.


Moving forward: Stay curious, stay skeptical, and care for your scalp

Learning that your hair is gently pulled from within, rather than just pushed out, can be oddly reassuring. It highlights how sophisticated your body really is—and why quick fixes for complex issues like hair loss are rarely realistic.

As you navigate your own hair journey:

  • Stay curious about new research, but give it time to mature before changing your routine.
  • Be healthily skeptical of products that overpromise or misuse scientific buzzwords.
  • Treat your scalp and hair with steady, gentle care rather than aggressive short-term experiments.
  • Consult qualified professionals for persistent or distressing hair changes.

You don’t need to become an expert in cell mechanics to benefit from this discovery. Simply recognizing that your follicles are intricate, living systems can help you approach hair care with more compassion for yourself and more respect for the science still unfolding.

Call to action: The next time you run your fingers through your hair, take a moment to appreciate the invisible choreography beneath the surface—and, if you’re curious about your own hair health, consider booking a conversation with a dermatologist or hair specialist who keeps up with the latest research.