Basically, a strand of hair is a string of protein cells called keratin. The hair you see on your skin is a fuse of dead keratin cells that grow outwardly from the pores of our skins. This outward growth is made possible by the continuous pushing effect of the hair follicles underneath the skin as it produces new keratin cells pushing out the old ones. We may also be unaware that each hair follicle has its own life cycle which may be affected by disease, aging and several other factors some of which may arise from synthetic uses.
Alopecia or hair loss is the gradual removal of hair from an individual’s head. Losing hair is a bothersome experience. Funny enough, some types of hair loss are genetically initiated; though there’s a lot of ways of ways people can lose hair. An example of genetic hair loss which occurs in men is the bald hair condition. It is hereditary and medical professionals strongly advise that people with this condition should allow it continue without any unnatural or synthetic means of regrowing them. You can only try to be kind enough to your hair by adopting the condition and finding a way to live with it harmoniously so that complications may not arise in your quest to regain hair on cells that have lost their potency for hair-making.
Another type of hair loss occurs mostly in women. It involves a spontaneous removal of hair from the head and has nothing to do with genetics. This condition is mainly propagated by unhealthy practices which guarantee hair loss. This practices include:
- The use of heat for either drying, curling or straightening the hair. Heat only weakens hair follicles and consistent use of heat will prolong this effect thereby reducing the potency of hair follicles. Also be careful about allowing heated objects touch your skin because it will permanently damage hair cells in that area, leaving a bald effect.
- Perming, bleaching and dying are a guaranteed practice that will endanger the health of your hair and eventually make you lose hair. Chemicals made for these purposes are not as friendly to the growth of your hair as you may think. It is only wise that you give your skin some healing time before your next usage as this will help your hair follicles recuperate from any harmful effect of some of these chemicals. You should know that some of these chemicals e.g SLS or sodium laurel sulphate are only included in your shampoo or toot paste for its degreasing ability and ability to form lather. SLS is known to disrupt non-covalent bonds in the proteins, denaturing them, and causing the molecules to lose their native shape. This is why it is important that you be mindful of these products.
- Tight hair pulling, clipping and tying are not good if you want to avoid alopecia. Hair styles that require tight pulling and packing with clips, elastics, threads etc like ponytails, braids, plaits etc. encourage hair loss.
It is good you develop good hair-health practices including the following:
- Stick to a good diet intake. Eat protein-rich foods that strengthen our hair, iron that helps improve blood availability and in turn increases nutrient supply to hair cells; vitamin C that improves collagen which strengthens capillaries that supply blood to hair shafts; Biotin, a type of vitamin B whose absence will incur quick hair loss etc.
- Wash your hair well and gently with a little shampoo.
- Allow your hair to dry naturally rather than using dryers.
- Massage your scalp to help relax your veins and hair making cells. This also helps improve blood supply to your scalp which means better nutrient supply.
- Use a soft hair brush that does not damage your hair or scalp.
KEEP YOUR HAIR HEALTHY!
Photo Credit: hbcubuzz.com
About the Writer: Bello Muhammad is a graduate of Biological Sciences. He is passionate about education and personal development. He is also a lover of chess who has featured in the West African University Games for his institution. You can contact him via Google+ and email: slimophobia@gmail.com, phone 08152501891 and Twitter @Slimanic.
