Hair Structure
HAIR is made up of a protein matter called keratin.
Each hair grows out of a sac-like cavity called the hair follicle, which
lies below the surface of the skin. The follicle contains the hair root,
while the part of the hair that we see is the hair shaft.. The thickness
of the hair is determined by the hair ollicle. The texture and color of
the hair is mainly determined by heredity and racial characteristics.
The hair shaft, or keratinous matter, that we see, is actually dead. The
hair follicle is fed by the blood flowing to it. That is why nutrition
plays an important role in the health of the hair. The nutrients in the
blood are transported to the hair follicle. Deficiencies in the diet
means inadequate supply of nutrients to the follicle. Each hair is make
up of three concentric layers. It has a central core' called the medulla.
Surrounding the medulla is the cortex and the outermost layer is the cuticle.
The cuticle is made up of tiny scales which overlap each other. It is the
good condition of the cuticle which contributes to the shine and smoothness
of the hair shaft. In hair that is damaged, the cuticle may be stripped
off in an uneven manner, making the hair dull and rough.
Attached to the hair follicles are sebaceous glands
that secrete sebum, the natural oil of the skin and scalp. Sebum is distributed
all along the hair shaft and contributes to the lustre and health of the
hair.
In fact, the health and look of the hair depends
on the proper distribution of sebum along the entire length of the
hair shaft. Under-activity of the oil glands, or a scalp condition like
dandruff, can interfere with the free flow of oil along the hair shaft,
giving rise to a dry-hair condition, or a mixed-hair condition, where the
ends are dry, but the part near the scalp is oily.
Hair grows in phases and has a life cycle that
can last from a few years to a few months, depending on various factors
like age, hormonal changes and the general condition of the hair.
Each hair goes through the anogen, or growing phase, followed by the telogen
or resting phase. Finally, the hair falls out and is replaced by another.
This is the catagen phase. Some of the hair on your head falls daily and
anew hair grows in its place. This is a natural process. In fact, we hardly
notice it. The normal hair fall is about 100 every day. However, it is
when the rate of hair fall overtakes the rate of replacement that we are
faced with a problem of thinning hair, or hair loss.
The condition of hair depends not only on the
state of health of your body and mind, but also on regular external care,
or the lack of it. Like the skin, hair also responds to the right kind
of care. For this, it is essential to know the characteristics and requirements
of your individual hair. You also need an understanding of products that
are available, so that you can select those that are right for you. It
will also help you to set up a protective-care routine, as protection is
the best way of preventing problems like hair damage and hair loss. In
fact, a proper routine would also help reverse the damage and nurse the
hair back to health.
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