The Scalp and Hair Growth

Hair is an important method of expression in our culture. The way people style, color, and cut it represents who they are and what their style preferences are. A healthy scalp means healthy hair and with regular washing and a basic understanding of how hair grows, a person's head of hair should maintain a healthy luster for a long time.

Anatomy of Hair

• Hair is made up of dead proteins called Keratin, the same material of finger and toenails. An actual strand of hair is composed of three parts. The medulla is the innermost layer that reflects light, giving hair its different shades. The cortex surrounds the medulla and determines if the hair is straight or wavy. It also contains melanin, which determines the color of a person's hair. The outermost part is the cuticle and protects the melanin in the cortex.

Hair Growth Cycle

• The Anagen phase is the first phase of hair growth. The hair shaft is produced in the scalp, and the hair follicle sinks deep in the skin to find nourishment. This process lasts anywhere from two to eight years. The Catagen phase is a resting time for the hair as it finishes growing but does not fall out. The hair follicle detaches itself from its blood supply and slowly shrinks up to the scalp's surface. This process lasts from two to four weeks. Finally, hair falls out during the Telogen phase and the process begins all over again.

Anatomy of Scalp

• The bone of the scalp rests on the Dura Endostial Meningeal, a fibrous layer that rests on top of the protective material over the brain. Thin layers of tissue build up to the connective tissue. This connective tissue lies below the skin. The skin itself has three layers. Hair follicles develop and reside in the second layer, called the dermis.

Hair Loss

• One of the most common hair problems is baldness, faced by millions of men and women. Growing older is the main cause, and some men begin to bald by age thirty. Extreme emotional stress is another cause, along with poor diets lacking protein. Excessive shampooing and blow drying can increase hair loss in women.

Scalp Care

• The main goal of shampooing is to remove dead skin cells trapped by hair. Surprisingly, it is recommended that a person only shampoo their hair a few times a week. It is helpful to rotate between a few different kinds of shampoo as residue from one kind is eliminated by another. Rinse the hair in lukewarm or even cold water, as hot water can make hair lose its natural volume. B vitamins help with hair growth and hair strength, while essential fatty acids found in primrose and flaxseed oils improves the texture.