Introduction

• Hair is essential in determining your looks or appearance
• Human has around 100,000 hairs on their head. Every day, an average of 100 hairs can fall and this is replaced by new hair growth.
• Hair has two distinct features; the follicle is the part beneath the skin and the shaft which is the part thats external above skin surface.
• The hair follicle numbers is permanent and reduces with age.
• Hair fibres have a structure consisting of several layers of keratin starting from the cuticle on the outside; which acts to protect the deeper layers, the cuticle and the medulla.
• Healthy hair is usually more shining because the cuticle layer is in the horizontal position. The light is more easily reflected and the sebum is easily supplied to moisturize the hair.
• The speed at which hair grow is about 3 to 4 mm every day; that is about 6 inches every year.

Hair Care

• Hair care differs according to hair types, hair style and daily activities.
• The type of shampoo we use and the frequency of hair wash depends on how greasy or damaged the hair is.
• Shampoo for dry and damaged hair is used for these conditions: curly hair, hair that has been straightened via rebonding technique or by using chemicals, frequent use of hair dryer especially on wet hair, hair that is frequently exposed to sea water or chlorinated water.
• Shampoo for oily hair should be used for those with excessively oily hairs.
• Teenagers usually have oily hair due to overactive sebaceous gland that usually over produces the sebum.
• Mild baby shampoo is recommended for active sportsmen who need to wash their hair on a daily basis.

Taking Care of Hair Problems

Common hair problems are dandruff, hair falls, and hairs breakage and split ends.

• Dandruff

• The cause of dandruff is unknown, although yeast that often lives on the skin may play a role.
• Dandruff is treatable with shampoo that contains salicylic acid, zinc, tar or selenium sulphate.
• If condition persists despite multiple shampoos, you are advice to seek further treatment from a physician.

• Hair breakage and split ends
   
• Any weakened part of hair can easily break either at the end or at the middle or at their follicles.

Common causes for hair breakage or split ends

1. Exposed to chemicals used in rebonding, perming or hair dye.
2. Frequent combing of hairs using inappropriate comb or combing hair when its wet.
3. Tight braid
4. Medical illnesses such as hyperthyroidism (low thyroid hormone level) or anorexia nervosa (refusing to eat in fear of getting fat when in reality, patient is already bony thin)

1. Use proper shampoo and conditioner for damaged
2. Avoid combing your hair when it is wet and use appropriate comb for your type of hair.
3. Try to avoid using hair dryer immediately after washing your hair. Avoid drying your hair with the hot hair when using the hair dryer.
4. Get treatment from professional hair stylist if you need to do hair dying, perming or rebonding.
5. If you have split ends, it is best to get a haircut.
6. If you have frequent  hair breakage without any cause, seek medical advice from a physician.

Hair loss

• Hair loss is a normal part of growing.
• An average of 100 hairs fall out and these will get replaced by new hair growth.
• Problem arises when hair growth does not occur and this will lead to baldness.
• Baldness can be temporary or permanent.
• Some of the causes of hair loss are chemicals used in hair products, heat from hair dryer or certain medical illness like hypothyroidism.
• If hair loss persist after salon treatment or you have permanent hair loss, it is recommended to seek advice from a physician or dermatologist.