Meet your hair

Hair growth and nourishment:

There are three phases of hair growth starting with the anagen “living or growing phase”. At least 85% of hair on a normal healthy scalp are said to be in the anagen phase at any given time and have a normal life of two to six years. The catagen “resting phase” is a transitional stage, the bulb’s cellular activity slows down as it approaches a complete resting phase. The final phase of the bulb’s life cycle is a complete resting stage called telogen “falling phase” these are the hairs that normally fall out and are often found in the brush or on the pillow.

This shedding, “or old hair” is being loosened in the follicle to make way for new hair to grow. So the hairs that fall out are replaced rather quickly by long-lived new hair. It is not necessarily damage from TR that causes you to have those little short hairs at the part or all over a head of hair. Hair has a life cycle - you are always losing some and then it starts to re-grow. When your hair is super straight, you notice the new (short) hair more. With curly hair, it gets hidden. Most authorities believe that loss of 80-100 hairs per day is natural.

Breakage or normal shedding - Severe breakage of hair should not be confused with normal shedding or hair loss. There are many ways in which hair can be damaged causing breakage. Mechanical and chemical degradation through the abuse of harsh chemicals, bleaching, coloring, permanent straightening/TR techniques, and over-use of mechanical styling aids (i.e., hot irons, vigorous towel drying and hand-held blow dryers) can cause severe breakage problem.

Close inspection of the scalp and proximal ends of the hairs that have been brushed out will indicate to you if you are actually experiencing hair loss, or if it is hair breakage. If after looking at the proximal ends of the hairs with the unaided eye or with a magnifying glass you are unable to distinguish any hair bulb, (little tiny bumps) this is most likely a problem of severe breakage. In this situation you will also note upon close inspection of the scalp very short, stubby hairs in the area where you are complaining of hair loss.

Hair dressing oil products coat the hair and attract dust and dirt making the hair feel dirty faster, they could also cause flaking, itching and plugged hair follicles which can lead to acne on the fore-head and other involved areas. Furthermore, they create a barrier that inhibits and restrains the scalp from releasing moisture and perspiration. As a result, these body fluids cannot properly evaporate and become concentrated, creating a condition at the scalp which is conducive to hair loss. If your hair is in good condition you do not have to hide its faults and your hair will be shiny, manageable and will stay well.

Excessive hair loss from all over the scalp is called diffuse hair loss. Some conditions may be related to hereditary hair loss and diffuse hair loss in women. It can occur from body imbalance, which in turn disturbs the normal hair growth cycle. Hair loss is a delicate subject, in which case you should consult with your physician. Other factors that contribute to hair loss: birth control pills, anesthetics, surgery, high fever, trauma, crash diet and age.

Dry flaky scalp? If you have a dry or flaky scalp it could be for a variety of reasons. Changes in weather climates can affect scalp moisture. Winter produces a dry climate in houses and the cold air outside makes skin chapped. Medications can also cause dry scalps. It is very important to correct dry flaky scalps as sebum build up can clog hair follicles which could lead to early hair loss. Many "store brand" dandruff shampoos are very abrasive on the hair and can damage the hair, Redken’s anti-dandruff shampoo with Pyrithione Zinc cleanses to control and help relieve the itching associated with dandruff. If this fails to yield any improvement, it is recommended that the client consult a physician.