Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has greatly advanced our knowledge of hair growth and follicle morphogenesis, but complex preparations such as fixation, dehydration and embedding compromise ultrastructure. While recent developments with cryofixation have been shown to preserve the ultrastructure of biological materials close to native state, they do have limitations. This review will focus on each stage of the TEM sample preparation process and their effects on the structural integrity of follicles.
Electron microscopy allows hair follicle structure to be examined from whole organ microstructure to sub‐cellular ultrastructure, but success relies on many sample processing choices. Here, we review the history, current best practice, and latest techniques for preparing follicles for transmission and other forms of electron microscopy.