The Makeup of a Hair Follicle

Every hair on your head stems from a deep pouch-like configuration in the epidermis (hair follicle) which infiltrates the dermis. A hair root reaches down into the hair follicle and broadens into an indented bulb at its foundation. Continuing into the indentation is the papilla (the hub of hair growth) which includes capillaries and nerves that supply a hair. Newly dividing cells at the center of the hair multiply, driving cells above them upward. As cells travel upward, they slowly die and harden into a hair shaft. A hair shaft has three layers:

•Cuticle- It is transparent and performs as protection for the inner layers. It consists of flat, colorless, overlapping cells. If you looked under a microscope, a cuticle is similar in facade to shingles on a roof. When your hair is in good condition, is straight and has good porous nature, then the tiles or cuticle layers are tight together and in perfect shape. That is when your hair has that smooth appearance. This makes light reflect off the hair boosting the shine! When your hair is in poor shape, is curly or is not porous, the cuticle layers are lifted and sometimes damaged and broken. This makes your hair feel coarse and brittle. It also triggers the hair to absorb light, giving the appearance of dull lifeless hair. •Medulla- This is the innermost layer and is composed of large baggy cells that may possibly have a hollow-like facade. •Cortex- The cortex, which is the layer between the cuticle and the medulla, holds pigment and keratin, a resilient protein, which is also present in our nails and skin. The cortex fashions the bulk and the strength of the hair shaft.

The oil (sebum) that your hair needs is provided by the sebaceous glands, which are located in hair follicles. The sebum oil protects the hair and keeps it shiny and waterproof. If you become ill or experience an abundant amount of stress, pigment secretion can diminish and cause hair shafts to whiten. Age-related whitening is sometimes genetically determined. Hair color and texture are inherited traits.



The Lifecycle of a Hair

Your hair growth cycle has three key phases: • The anagen phase is the growth cycle and characteristically lasts from 3-5 years. • The catagen phase follows the conclusion of the growth period when a follicle starts to become dormant. • The telogen phase is a dormant or inactive period that persists for 3 to 4 months. When the dormant segment ends, a mature hair falls out. The hair follicle then revisits the anagen stage and a new hair starts to grow. Roughly 84% of scalp hairs are in the anagen stage, 1-2% are in the catagen stage, and 10-15% are in the telogen stage.

Maladies of the hair shaft or hair follicles are many and consist of some of the following:

• Dull or Dry Hair
• Recurring Split Ends
• Recurring Dandruff
• Premature Greying
• Thinning Hair
• Alopecia- Baldness or loss of hair

1. Alopecia totalis- Loss of all scalp hair
2. Alopecia universalis- Loss of all body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes
3. Alopecia areata- Sudden loss of parts of hair
4. Androgenetic alopecia- Male pattern baldness.

• Telogen effluvium- Extreme shedding of hair, but not complete baldness. This is usually linked to various illnesses and drug treatments, rapid weight loss, anemia, high stress or pregnancy.

• Trichotillomania- This is indicative of patches of broken hairs and partial hair loss, usually on the scalp but sometimes it involves the eyebrows as well.

• Tinea Favosa or Favus- An infection of the hair follicle that is caused by the fungus Achorion schoenleinii, which is characterized by the formation of small crusts around the mouths of the follicles (sometimes looks like a honeycomb).

• Tinea trichophytina (ringworm)-is produced by fungi of the genus Trichophyton.



Causes of Hair & Scalp Problems

Drugs: (That Can Cause Temporary Hair Loss)

• A number of Anti-Depressants • Chemotherapeutic agents used for cancer • Oral Contraceptives (birth control pills) • More than two aspirin a day • Cortisone • Anticoagulants • Diet Pills • General Anesthesia • Amphetamines • Beta Blockers used to control blood pressure • Retinoids used to treat acne and skin problems • Steroid based drugs

• Hormonal Imbalance • Toxic Shampoos and Hair Care Products • Burns • X-Rays • Scalp Injuries • High fever • Severe Illness • Thyroid Disorders (Specifically Hypothyroidism) • Iron Deficiency/Anemia • Exposure to Chemicals and Heavy Metals • Stressful Situations • Woman Who Suffer From Heavy Periods (Could be a Sign of Iron Deficiency) • Permanent Waves • Bleaching Your Hair • Dyeing Your Hair • Malnutrition • Diabetes • Heredity • Vitamin and/or Mineral Deficiency • Following Childbirth • Heavy Metals in the Body

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