The Hair and Skin Research Laboratory (HSR) Lab was launched on the 29th May 2015 by the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). The HSR Lab, was established with support from the National Skills Fund (NSF) and a funding boost from the Services Sector Education Training Authority (SETA).

It is a dedicated hair testing and skin toxicology facility housed on the top floor of the Old Main Building at Groote Schuur Hospital, and is the first of its kind locally and internationally. The idea of establishing the lab was initially to study causes and treatments of hair loss and prevent/reduce side effects from cosmetics that dermatologists treat daily. Later the idea grew bigger with the recognition of an immerging field of using hair as a testing substrate in Medicine. Unlike blood and urine that have a high turnover hair is a medical repository that can for be used to detect for example drug exposure dating back many months previously, depending on hair length. The pre-launch meeting was followed by formal launch of the HSR Lab. 

The HSR Lab is a national facility for multi-disciplinary collaborations and training of a new cadre of scientist in the new MSc (Med) in Trichology and Cosmetic Science, making UCT the first to offer this unique program. Modern economies require multi-skilled training to increase employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, so graduates (MSc/PhD) trained in this facility will be able to work in diverse fields where hair is increasingly being used for testing including medical sciences, the cosmetic industry and beyond.

The huge laboratory research backlog in South African dermatology requires a multipronged approach and innovative thinking to attract core skills, accelerate and fast track us to the desired status of “world leading research program” in the fastest possible time – all in the interest of solving neglected African hair and skin disorders to benefit of our population.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation Science

• MSc (Trichology and Cosmetic Science)

• PhD (Trichology and Cosmetic Science)

Research interests

• A systematic characterization of human variation to move away from racial (European, Asian, African) to objective (scientific) classification. We collaborate on projects using applied mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering (with PI as Dr Malebogo Ngoepe) as well as biochemistry, proteomics, genetics and molecular biology to address this basic science knowledge gap.   

• Causes and treatments of hair loss, with a laboratory focus on identifying potential biomarkers of scarring alopecia.

• Wound healing, abnormal scarring and keloid disease in collaboration with Professor Ardeshir Bayat.

• Support research projects for the Division of Dermatology and other academics (mutual agreement)