LAYERS OF HAIR SHAFT.

In today, i am about to share HAIR SHAFT with three layers and their types of bonds AND about to share with you STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH, which has 3 stages and will also talk about which FACTORS AFFECTING HAIR GROWTH and will also share about with you HOW TO ANALYSIS YOUR HAIR.

LAYERS OF HAIR SHAFT

Three layers are:

1. Cuticle
2. Cortex
3. Medulla

Cuticle: The outermost layer is cuticle. It is made of 6-10 overlap piling layer of long cells. The cells lie on the surface as tiles on the roof with free edges directed towards the tip. Scales close at scalp are smooth and unbroken, while further down the hair, weathering takes place.
It is a protective layer. Shine is due to this layer;intact cuticle cells are smooth and glossy and reflect light from their surface. Cuticle layer is transparent.
Cortex: It makes most of the hair shaft. It contains granules of melanin. 2 types of melanin are there:
a. Eumelanin (dark)
b. pheomelanin (light)

Medulla: Grey hairs have it more. Wavy hair has it more than straight hair. Vellus hair does not have medulla present.

Bonds: 2 types of bonds are present.

Disulphide linkages: strong bonds. Only break by chemical treatments.

Hydrogen bonds: More in numbers. They are weak bonds. Break even when hair is wet.

STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH

Stages of hair cycle are:

1. Anagen
2. Catagen
3. Telogen

hair weathering take place.

Anagen: Hair begins to grow at the stage. Very active growth is their in the hair bulb. This lasts for 2-6 years. In older people the hair cycle becomes shorter; follicles gradually give up producing long; strong hair and the hair become thinner and shorter. This results in thinning of hair and finally may even result in baldness. Melanin is made throughout this phase in bulb.

Catagen: It is the intermediate phase lasts for 2-4 weeks. No pigments are made during that time, and the new hair emerges from the same opening at the surface of the skin as the old one, and the hair cycle begins again.
The hair lenght depends on the length of anagen stage, which is genetically determined. As people grow older, the period of anagen shortens. Plucking a hair brings forward the next period of hair growth in that follicle.

Telogen: When catagen phase ends, the hair follicle begins a two six months phase of resting. During telogen the follicle is shorter approximately. One half to a third of the length of the active follicle.

A new hair shaft forms and grows alongside the old hair forcing it to fall out.

Factors affecting hair growth:

1. Anemia slows down the growth.
2. Dieting affects the growth.
3. Zinc deficiency causes thinning of hair and hair loss.
4. Steroids slow down the growth.

Hair Analysis

Porosity: It is the ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture in hair. Types are Good, Moderate and Poor.

Elasticity: It is ability of hair to stretch and return to its original form without breaking. Wet hair is more elastic in nature. Both sunlight and chemicals and heat damage the elasticity.

Moisture Content: More moisture will cause less fly off and hair will collapse. Less moisture will cause more fly off and more volume in hair.

Texture: It depends on diameter. Larger the diameter, Coarser the hair. It depends on the following; Natural hair type, Products being put on the hair.

Stream: The flow direction of hair is called as stream.

Amount: Approximate number of hair on the scalp.

Thank You Very Much for reading my blog next time I'm about to share with you TYPES OF HAIR AND HAIR DISORDER.