INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HUMAN HAIR

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HUMAN HAIR

   

      A QUICK REVIEW

• It  is  normal  to  loose 40-100 hairs a day.

• Only 90% of your hair follicles are active at a time and the other 10% are in a rest phase.

• On average, the scalp contains 100,000  strands of hair i.e 1000 hairs per square inch.

• One strand of hair can carry a weight of 100 grams.

• A whole head of hair could support up to two tons.

• Hair is the second fastest growing tissue in human body with the first position being taken by bone marrow. 

• There are on an average , 100,000 to 1,50,000 strands of hair on a human head.

• Hair elasticity is greater for Asians than any other races in this entire world. Interestingly Asian hair grows faster compared to other races.

• Our body has insulating fat layers. The only place where the layer is absent is our head and thus our hair works as insulators.

• Hair contains information on what has been through your blood stream,including minerals and drugs.

• Hair is one of the most common types of forensic evidence. 

FORGET NOT THAT THE EARTH DELIGHTS TO FEEL YOUR BARE FEET AND THE WINDS LONG TO PLAY WITH YOUR HAIR.

Common Reasons for Hair Loss in Females

  

Common Reasons for Hair Loss in Females

A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes through her entire course of life. These changes can at times be a contributing factor in hair loss. But in order to treat this problem, we first need to figure out the root cause of it so that the apt treatment method can be suggested. We list 10 common reasons for hair loss in females.

#1 Bad hair etiquette

Excessive use of hairstyling tools like strengtheners and curling iron or hair products like gels, mousse, sprays,colors, etc. can damage the hair shaft and prolonged usage can hamper its growth. Tight ponytails, wrong combs, parting your hair, can further aggravate the condition. 

#2 PCOS

In this condition, male hormones or androgen's are secreted in excess and they form small fluid-like sacs in the ovaries which are known as cysts. It is due to hormonal imbalances in your body which negatively affects your hair growth as well. While you may notice more hair growth on your body, it can trigger hair fall from your scalp. 

#3 Anemia

Anemia is a result of low iron intake in one’s diet. Many women may be anemic due to heavy menstruation or inadequate folic acid in their body. This results in low production of hemoglobin which means less oxygen to your organs. When oxygen does not reach your hair follicles, they tend to be weak and break easily. This results in hair fall.

#4 Menopause

A lot of changes take place in a woman’s body once she hits menopause and one of them can be hair fall. This is because estrogen hormone levels are low in the body. They can make the hair dry and also cause hair loss if due care isn’t taken. It is essential to use mild shampoos and condition your mane as well as eat right. 

#5 Labour

Many women experience hair fall after their delivery. This is because, during pregnancy, there is a peak in the hormone estrogen so you can expect a full head of hair. But once the baby is delivered, hormones go back to their normal phase which may result in hair falling out at once. But this is a temporary phase and hair growth returns to normal after a few weeks.

#6 Protein deficiency

Our hair is made of a protein called keratin. When we do not eat protein-rich foods, it depletes from our body making the hair brittle. This leads to weak strands which fall prematurely.

#7 Medications

Women who are on birth control pills can have side-effects like hair fall if they abruptly stop using them. Other hormonal pills and therapies can have a similar effect. Chemotherapy sessions also result in hair loss.

#8 Extreme weight loss

Crash dieting and losing a lot of weight suddenly or too quickly can adversely affect the growth of your hair. This is because, usually these diets deprive your body of essential nutrients or put a ban on eating certain food groups which then impact your hair growth.

#9 Medical illnesses like thyroid disease, autoimmune disease

Thyroid is responsible for secreting triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones which are needed for proper growth and development of our body. When a person suffers from hypo or hyperthyroidism, there is excess or low secretion of these hormones which can lead to deficiencies if not treated on time. Hair loss is one of the complications due to various changes taking place in your body. In an autoimmune disease, our body creates antibodies against our own cells and tissues. They attack hair as well as other organs resulting in hair loss.

#10 Any acute or chronic medical conditions

Conditions like diabetes, thyroid are also responsible for loss of hair. Diabetes negatively affects the body’s circulatory system. This means that less amount of nutrients and oxygen reach the upper and the lower extremities of the body i.e. the feet and the scalp areas. If diabetes is causing poor blood circulation to the scalp, the hair follicles will die resulting in hair loss. 

While shedding of 60-100 strands every day is the norm, anything more than that over a period of time can cause hair loss. If you notice this, it is best to get yourself checked for any underlying condition which could be causing your hair fall.

MULTANI MITTI FOR HAIR GROWTH, LOSS AND DANDRUFF

MULTANI MITTI FOR HAIR GROWTH, LOSS AND DANDRUFF


Other than for skin care Multani Mitti is very beneficial for hair treatment and management of various hair conditions. This article breaks down the uses and benefits of Multani Mitti for hair loss, growth and straightening.

Uses and Benefits of Multani Mitti for Hair

This natural earth has the ability to remove deep set impurities without any side effects as derived from Urdu culture. It is an effective hair cleanser and also great for strengthening hair preventing hair loss and breakage.

Here are some of the benefits of multani mitti for hair;

§  Effectively absorbs oil from the hair and scalp

§  Used in preparation of various hair packs

§  Stimulates blood supply to the hair

§  Used as a hair mask to deep condition hair

§  Cleanses the scalp to remove toxins

§  Makes the hair radiant

§  Effective in managing dull damaged hair

Multani Mitti for Hair Growth

Multani mitti can be very drying if used alone. It is made in combination with other ingredients to make deep conditioning ingredients that leave your hair soft and manageable. It stimulates the scalp and strengthen hair roots making resulting in new hair growth.

To make a mask with multani mitti for hair growth

§  Two tablespoons of reetha powder

§  Two tablespoons of shikakai powder

§  Two tablespoons of multani mitti powder

§  Two tablespoons of amla powder

§  One cup water extracted from curry leaves

How to apply multani mitti for hair growth;

§  Mix all the powders in a bowl and squeeze the lemon into the mixture

§  Put a handful of curry leaves in the grinder and add some water to it.  After grinding it for a couple of minutes, filter the mixture and collect the water in a bowl

§  Mix it with the other ingredients and keep mixing it till it becomes a smooth paste

§  Apply it thoroughly on the scalp and on the hair and leave it for 1-2 hours

§  Rinse it with water and then use your regular shampoo and follow it with conditioner

Here is the reason why this is the best multani mitti mask for hair growth. The different ingredients used have special properties that help in strengthening hair and promoting hair growth.

§  Curry Leaves- are loaded with the goodness of Vitamin A, B, C and E. They help in reducing hair fall, promoting hair growth and also slow the process of premature graying of hair.

§  Lemon- It fights dandruff, strengthens hair roots, prevents hair loss and strengthens hair.  It also conditions the hair and makes it soft.

§  Amla- gives natural shine to the hair and gives nourishment from root to tip. It reduces hair fall and solves the problem of dandruff.

§  Multani Mitti- Treats dry hair and leaves it soft and healthy.  Also helps in removing excess oil from the scalp and prevents split ends too.

§  Reetha- It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.  Regular use of reetha makes hair softer and shiner.  It also helps in preventing dandruff and hair fall.

§  Shikakai- helps in detangling hair and makes it shiny.  It strengthens the roots and gives volume to hair.

Multani Mitti for Dandruff

Multnai mitti acts mild to treat dandruff. Dandruff is a common hair problem and is a cause of hair loss and damage.  To make hair mask with multani mitti to treat dandruff, these are the things you require;

§  6 table spoons of fenugreek seeds

§  4 table spoons of multani mitti clay

§  A table spoon of lemon juice

Procedure          

§  Soak fenugreek seeds in water for about 12hrs then grind the seeds in a blender.

§  To the ground seeds add the Multani mitti.

§  Add lemon juice to the mixture and mix all of them together to create a smooth paste.

§  Apply the paste on the hair scalp. Leave it for about 30 minutes to dry.

§  Wash it off and condition.

Note that; both lemon juice and Fenugreek (methi) seeds are very effective in treating or preventing dandruff.

Multani Mitti Hair Pack

The benefits of using multani mitti hair packs cannot be measured. A multani mitti hair pack effectively helps to get rid of split ends and oily hairs and absorbs oil from scalp and also helps to treat dandruff. Regular application of Multani mitti hair pack will give beautiful and healthy hairs.

Here are some of the benefits of multani mitti hair pack;

§  Multani mitti hair pack helps prevent split ends.

§  Fullers earth makes the hair strong, silky and with shine.

§  The packs can be used a home remedy for hair loss and growth.

§  Deeply Conditions oily, dry or normal hair leaving it soft and very manageable.

§  Removes excessive oil and toxins from scalp.

§  It can be used to treat or remove dandruff and other scalp conditions

§  The clay makes your hair dirt free without washing away the natural moisturizers

§  It helps facilitate blood circulation.

§  Regular application of multani mitti makes the hair radiant and beautiful.

§  The packs can be used to remove unwanted hair from your body.

ETIOLOGY OF DANDRUFF

     ETIOLOGY OF DANDRUFF

Dandruff  is  the  shedding  of  dead skin cells  from the scalp. It  is  one of  the common scalp 

disorder affecting  almost half  of  the  population  at  the post -pubertal age and  of  any  sex

and ethnicity. Some  people  experience  unusually  large  amount  of  flaking  either chronically or  as  a result  of  certain triggers which  can  be  accompanied  by  redness  and  itching. In majority of cases  of  dandruff, there  is  no  known  cause. However,  there  are  indications that heredity, diet  and upset in the  body`s  hormonal  balance may  be  contributory factors. However, the  etiology  of  dandruff  has  focused on the role  of  a fungus normally found  on the human scalp and skin ( Malassezia furfur), a dimorphic  lipophilic  fungus.

Although the actual  cause of dandruff  is generally not known, but it can have several causes including:-

• Irritated oily  skin 
• Not shampooing often enough
• A yeast like fungus ( Malassezia)
• Dry skin
• Sensitivity to hair care products

The  severity and occurrence of  symptoms of  dandruff  vary  between  individuals .It  is generally  not  a serious  condition but  there is  potential  for  complications in some people, such as  a secondary bacterial  infection or  fungal  infection. Some  of the  symptoms can be easily appreciated .For most  teens  and  adults , dandruff signs  are  easy  to spot:-

• White, oily looking flakes of dead  skin that dot your  hair and  shoulders.
• Scaly  and  itchy  scalp.
• Red  and  greasy  patches  of  skin and  feeling tingly  on the skin .

Dandruff  is  a  chronic  condition that  comes  and  goes  and is  not  curable. However, with a well  integrated  treatment  plan, symptoms  of  dandruff  can  be  effectively controlled  and  minimized.

• Use  of  anti-dandruff shampoos.
• Rosemary Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Vitamin B12
• Topical  Corticosteroid 
• Salicyclic acid  shampoos

TREATMENT :-

In general,  daily  cleansing  with a gentle  shampoo  or  any anti- dandruff  shampoo  to  reduce  oiliness and  skin  cell  build  up  can  often  help  mild  dandruff.  If  dandruff  is  worsening  ( spreading , causing  hairloss,  swelling,  increasing  redness, painful or  infected), you  should  contact  your  doctor  if  your  symptoms  show  no signs  of  improvement  after  using  anti- dandruff  shampoo  for  2  weeks. You  may  require  stronger  prescription treatment.

 MICROSCOPIC   VIEW   OF     DANDRUFF

  

Golden Rules of Good Hair Care !!

Golden Rules of Good Hair Care !!

1. Do invest in a good haircut. Caring for your locks becomes so much easier when you are sporting a fabulous 'wash and wear' style.

2. Do wash your hair with the correct products. Dry hair requires a moisture-drenching shampoo, while oily hair benefits from frequent shampooing with a purifying, oil-regulating shampoo.

3. Do brush your hair each morning. This will help remove dust, dirt and loose scales. It also stimulates the blood supply and distributes sebum along the hair shaft.

4. Don't use a brush on wet hair. Use a wide-toothed comb instead. Start at the ends, gently working your way up towards the roots. Brush your hair at night before going to bed. If your hair is long, tilt your head forward and brush from the base of the head forward.

5. Do allow your hair to dry naturally as often as possible. Use a highly absorbent towel to mop up excess moisture then finger dry.

6. Don't expose your hair to the sun during the hottest time of the day. Cover up and wear a hat instead.

7. Don't forget to clean your brushes and combs. Let them soak in warm, soapy water once a week.

8. Do nourish your scalp with oil twice weekly. This will help to soften and strengthen graying hair. Choose from almond, coconut or extra-virgin olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in the oil and dab on to the scalp, leave for half an hour then wash with very warm water. Finish with a cold rinse to flatten the cuticle of the hair. The result?  Softer, smoother, manageable hair.

9. Don't tie your hair back too tightly and never when it is wet. This stretches the hair shaft, causing it to break and split.

10. Do eat foods rich in skin and hair enhancing essential fatty acids. By taking care of your diet, the state of your inner health will reflect in the condition of your hair. Be kind to yourself.

11. Don't over-style. Experts recommend using a blow dryer only for special occasions. At the end of your styling session, switch to cold air. This closes the hair shaft, leaving the hair smooth, glossy and 

shiny.

12. Don't forget to keep regular scheduled appointments with your stylist. Making an appointment for a trim every 4 to 6 weeks will leave your hair in tiptop condition.

THE SEARCH FOR A BALDNESS CURE!!!

THE  SEARCH  FOR  A BALDNESS CURE!!!

                    Sometimes,  despite  the  huge  and  lucrative  potential  market  for  an  affordable  and   effective  hair loss  remedy, it  seems  as  if  nobody  is  even  trying  to  find  one.

A  full  head  of  hair  is  always   associated  with  strength, confidence, youth  and  power. In  our  day-today life, we  can  easily  appreciate   the  people  talking  about  common  hair  loss  problems and  finding  remedies  for  it, but  most  important  thing  is  to  pick  up  the  right  ingredient. We can  easily  visualize  reactions of  different  people in  the  form  of  frustration, depression , loss of self esteem, social withdrawal. Its  not  about  looks , although  that's  certainly a part of it , its  about a  loss  of  control, the passage  of  time and  mortality. In  the  last  5 to 7 yrs ,there  has  been  a boon in  the  understanding  of  hair loss. Our  scientists  armed  with  powerful  new tools are  learning  how  to  coin  treatments  for  various  forms  of  hair loss. Now a days, treatments for  various  forms  of  hair loss  have shown  moderate  success and  are  broadly  available in  the  form of :-

• Medications
• Dietary Supplements
• Surgical treatments
• Non surgical hair loss treatments 

Many  studies  are  going  on , although  human  hair  follicles  were  previously  thought  gone  in  areas  of  complete  baldness, they  are  more likely  to  be  dormant, as  recent  studies  have  shown that  the  scalp  contains  the  stem  cells  from  which  the  follicles  arose .As  per  May  2015  review , no  successful  strategy  to  generate human  hair  follicles for  hair regrowth  from  adult  stem  cells has  yet  been  reported. However  research  is  still  going  on  these  follicular  stem cells leading  to  successes  in  treating  baldness  through  hair  multiplication, also  known  as  HAIR CLONING.                          

Hair loss or Hair shedding?

Hair loss or Hair shedding?   

If you’ve been noticing more hairs on your pillow or hairbrush than normal, you may worry that you have hair loss. You could actually just be shedding more hairs than normal.

Hair shedding often stops on its own

It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When the body sheds significantly more hairs every day, a person has excessive hair shedding. The medical term for this condition is Telogen Effluvium.

Excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced one the following stressors:

• Lost 20 pounds or more
• Given birth
• Experiencing lots of stress
• Had high fever
• Undergone a surgery
• Stopped taking birth-control pills

Most people notice the excessive hair shedding a few months after the stressful event. For example, a new mom can see excessive hair shedding about two months after giving birth. The shedding usually peaks about four months after giving birth. This shedding is normal — and temporary.

As your body readjusts, the excessive shedding stops. Within 6 to 9 months, the hair tends to regains its normal fullness. People who are constantly under a lot of stress can experience long-term excessive hair shedding.

Hair loss differs from hair shedding

Hair loss occurs when something stops the hair from growing. The medical term for this condition is Anagen Effluvium. The most common causes of hair loss include:

• Hereditary hair loss
• Immune system overreacts
• Some drugs and treatments
• Hairstyles that pull on the hair
• Harsh hair care products
• Compulsion to pull out one’s hair

If you have hair loss, your hair will not grow until the cause stops. For example, people who undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments often lose a lot of hair. When the treatment stops, their hair tends to regrow.

Other causes of hair loss may require treatment. Many people who have hereditary hair loss continue to lose hair without treatment. A woman who inherits the genes for hereditary hair loss may notice gradual thinning. Men who have hereditary hair loss tend to develop a receding hairline or bald patch that begins in the center of the scalp.

Specialized Doctors can distinguish between hair loss and hair shedding

If you are concerned by the amount of hair falling out, you don’t need to suffer in silence. You can turn to a Specialist Doctor for help. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating the skin, hair, and nails. Doctor can tell you whether you have hair loss or excessive hair shedding. Some people have both.

Doctor also can find the cause or causes and tell you what you can expect. Effective treatments options are available for many types of hair loss. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis.