|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hair 101
The more you know about your hair, the better you can care for it! Your hair has two separate parts: the root and the shaft. The root is the part of the hair located just under the skin surface. The hair follicle houses the entire hair root. The papilla is where all of the action takes place; it is a rich blood and nerve supply that nourishes the hair shaft and produces hair cells. The bulb is a white sack located on the lower part of the hair that covers the papilla.
The hair shaft is what is grows out of the hair follicle and is what we consider to be hair. It has three parts; the cuticle, cortex and medulla.
The outer layer of your hair shaft is called the cuticle, which holds your hair together. The cells or scales that make up the cuticle layer overlap similarly to the scales on a fish or the shingles on a roof. In healthy hair, the cuticle scales lay flat. In damaged hair, the scales may be missing or broken. (
The cuticle layer is your hair's armor; it protects the heart, or the cortex, the layer beneath the cuticle. It is made of long, molecular chains of amino acids (protein) and is the largest section of your hair.
Chemical straighteners must penetrate through the cuticle to access the cortex, where shape and color changes take place.
Hair is made of dead keratin (protein) cells that are pushed up through the scalp at an average rate of about one-half inch per month for six inches of hair growth each year.
Keep your hair healthy by eating well, frequent conditioning and gentle treatment.
About The Author
Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of "Healthy Black Hair" (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.
Are Hair Loss Treatments Just One Big Scam?
The hair loss industry is not one that inspires great... Read More
What Are The Common Hair Loss Causes?
One of the most worrying aspects of hair loss treatment... Read More
Treatments That Offer Hope To Hair Loss Sufferers
Many people experiencing premature hair loss simply resign themselves to... Read More
Develop A Strategy For Dealing With Premature Hair Loss
The fact you are reading this probably indicates you have... Read More
Treatment Options Available To Hair Loss Sufferers
The hair loss treatments outlined here cannot provide definitive cures... Read More
Do Natural Hair Loss Remedies Have Any Real Relevance?
The effectiveness of modern hair loss treatments is clear for... Read More
Is There A Role For Nutrition In Dealing With Hair Loss?
Could something as basic as inadequate nutrition really contribute to... Read More
Top Nutritional Tips To Support Healthy Hair Growth
1. Eat adequate amounts of protein. Protein is composed of... Read More
Herbal Hair Loss Remedies That Offer Hope
Herbs hold an obvious appeal for many people because they... Read More
Herbal Hair Loss Remedies For External Use
In a separate article in this series we looked at... Read More
Do Traditional Hair Loss Remedies Have Any Relevance Today?
Could it be possible that our ancestors got it right... Read More
Coping With Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is by far the most... Read More
Coping With Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition that is typified by patchy... Read More
Follicular Unit Extraction vs. Older Methods of Hair Transplantation
Punch grafts, scalp reductions, scalp extensions...In the past, as the... Read More
DHT and Hair Loss
DHT hair loss affects both men and women.DHT stands for... Read More
Hair Loss In Men - The Contributing Factors
With hair loss in men, hair at the temples recedes... Read More
Hair Loss - The Reasons
General: Hair is constantly going through cycles of growth, resting,... Read More
Six Causes of Hair Loss In Women
Six Causes of Hair Loss In Women are:#1. Hair loss... Read More
Hair Loss In Women - The Role of DHT & Sebum
Hair Loss In Women - The Role of DHT &... Read More
What Is Normal About Hair Loss?
It is important to note that shedding of hairs is... Read More
Coping With Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a hair loss condition that is characterized... Read More
How Does Propecia (Finasteride) Help In The Treatment Of Hair Loss?
Finasteride was initially marketed to treat prostate conditions under the... Read More
What Is The Role Of Minoxidil (Rogaine) In Treating Hair Loss Conditions?
Minoxidil is one of only two FDA-approved treatments for hair... Read More
Ayurveda Can Help Stop Hair Loss
Most hair loss sufferers seek solutions from Western medicine or... Read More
Latest Techniques Deliver Painless Hair Transplants
The recent development of improved hair transplant techniques ensures that... Read More
Is There A Wrong Way To Wash Your Hair?
It's not as simple as it sounds. There is a... Read More
Permanent Hair Removal ? A Growing Problem
The nature of hair is to grow. That's why laser... Read More
Treatments That Offer Hope To Hair Loss Sufferers
Many people experiencing premature hair loss simply resign themselves to... Read More
Laser Hair Removal Frequently Asked Questions
There is such excitement in this cutting edge technology for... Read More
A Look at Hair Loss Remedies
Hair loss causes a great deal of stress and anxiety.... Read More
Hair Transplant Surgery ? Do You Need It, Do You Want It?
Hair transplant surgery is very common these days. As hair... Read More
Warning: Do NOT Take A Hair Loss Test Until Youve Read This...
You know the scene. You've got thinning hair, and you... Read More
Hair Loss Is a Cause for Concern
Losing hair is not only a cosmetic problem though it... Read More
Laser Hair Removal Info
In our own efforts to seek the best quick painless... Read More
Chinese Medicine for Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is considered to be an auto-immune condition in... Read More
Permanent Hair Removal Treatment
If you are getting 'harried' by unwanted hair, if you... Read More
Hair, Hair Loss and Propecia
Take a look on the following facts about hair and... Read More
Do Natural Hair Loss Remedies Have Any Real Relevance?
The effectiveness of modern hair loss treatments is clear for... Read More
Is Hair Loss Shampoo Any Good For Me?
There are many shampoos on the market that are advertised... Read More
You Need To Know The Possible Hair Loss Causes
Hair loss causes range from simple to complex. Some of... Read More
The Truth About Hair Loss
Male Pattern BaldnessOn average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs... Read More
Laser Hair Removal: Am I a Good Candidate? What Do I Need to Know?
How Laser Hair Removal worksA laser emits an invisible beam... Read More
Follicular Unit Extraction vs. Older Methods of Hair Transplantation
Punch grafts, scalp reductions, scalp extensions...In the past, as the... Read More
Natural Hair Loss Treatment
A few years ago there were no "official" natural hair... Read More
I?ve Noticed My Hair Thinning ? What Can I Do?
If you notice your hair thinning, this might not be... Read More
Making Your Own Herbal Hair Shampoo
In 1990 I decided not to use the commercially made... Read More
Cosmetic Solutions For Hair Loss
Many people suffering from hair loss prefer not to use... Read More
Ways to Treat Baldness
So, you've just looked in the mirror and realized that... Read More
DHT and Hair Loss
DHT hair loss affects both men and women.DHT stands for... Read More
Male Hair Loss Treatment - What Options Do You Have?
Male hair loss treatments are big business. That is because... Read More
Hair Loss Hair Loss |