Hyperkeratinization is a disorder of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle. It is the normal function of these cells to detach from the lining and attach to the growing hair, and die while converting themselves to contain keratin, so becoming a part of the hair.

In hyperkeratinization, a number of these cells convert to keratin too fast, clumping together in the wrong way. When such a clump of cells severely blocks the follicle, it leads to acne or keratosis pilaris.

See also

• hyperkeratosis

Dermatology