Our hair plays a big part in how other people perceive us. If our hair is dirty they perceive us dirty - if our hair is fly away they perceive us as unorganized - people judge who we are by some degree on how we look, and our hair is a very important element of that perception.Our hair type is determined solely on what our parents passed on to us, and what their parents passed on to them. We can change the length, color, style and shape of our hair to get the appearance that we want. But most competent stylist recommend that we take into account our own natural hair type and style around it.
Our hair changes over time. When we are very young, our hair may be unruly, it may stick out, be very curly, even the color of our hair may change as we grow. As we get older our hair may thin out, fall out or turn grey. All these factors are mostly inherited from our parents.
Our hair has two main parts, the follicle and the shaft. The follicle is the point from which the hair grows. The shaft is that part that we normally consider our hair.
The hair shaft has two main parts, the outer layer is called the cuticle, and the inner layer is called the cortex. The cortex is made of mostly strands of keratin, and gives hair its properties of elasticity, strength and color. The cortex contains melanin which gives hair its color.
The cuticle covers the hair from root to tip in overlapping layers. The cuticles closes to the scalp are usually smooth and unbroken, while those at the end of the hair shaft may be damaged. Damage to the cuticle is caused by miss treatment, or natural weathering. A healthy cuticle is more than just protection. Much of the shine that makes are hair look healthy is due to the cuticle.
Our hair is amazingly strong, this strength is due to two types of structures within the hair, the disulphide and the hydrogen bonds. The disulphide is one of the strongest links in nature, and can only be changed with chemical methods such as perming or relaxing. The hydrogen bond changes when our hair is wet.
Hair growth varies from person to person, but in general our hair grows about a � inch per month, or approximately 6 inches per year. Many experts claim that our hair grows more quickly in winter than in summer.
The color of our hair is called melanin, which is produced in the hair follicle. As we get older less melanin is produced, which makes our hair look grey or white. Also the growing cycle of our hair may become shorter, and some follicle will stop producing hair. As we grow older our hair will not grow as long, and may start to thin.
Moisture in hair is contained in the cortex, or center of the hair shaft. In a normal healthy hair the cuticle covers the cortex and prevents moisture from entering or leaving. When hair is over processed, exposed to much wind and sun, over hot hair dryers or curling irons, the cuticle may tend to lift and moisture with in the hair is lost.
Hair needs to be shampooed regularly. Shampoo washes away dirt and oils and actually restores moisture. The proper way to shampoo is to get you hair completely wet use a small amount of shampoo, and work it thru your hair and scalp. Don't pile your hair on top of your head, or force your hair against it natural growth direction. After working the shampoo thru your hair and scalp, rinse, rinse and rinse.
Its important to use a shampoo that is gentle to your scalp, yet provides the nutrients and vitamins for both hair and scalp. Its recommended that the shampoo you use, be free of harsh detergents like lauryl/laureth sulfates.
Conditioners help to strengthen weak hair, prevent hair from further damage and help lock in moisture. A least once a month if not twice use a deep conditioner to insure deep penetration of the cortex layer of your hair.
