Hair grows 1/2 inch per month, sometimes slightly faster during
the spring and summer months. This adds up to 6 inches a year. Hair goes through
growth cycles. The active growing phase of a individual hair is called the
Anagen phase. The Anagen phase lasts an average of 3 to 5 years. The hair then
goes into a resting phase called Catagen phase. In the Catagen phase, the
hair rests. During the resting stage, the hair is shed. The shedding stage is
called Telogen. When a hair is shed, it is replaced by a new hair from the same
follicle and the growing cycle starts again. Every hair follows its own cycle of
growth, resting, and falling out, which means all hairs grow at different rates.
It is normal to shed between 50 to 100 strands a day. There is a difference
between shedding and breakage of the hair. Shedding of the hair includes the
whole hair follicle including the hair bulb. Breakage of the follicle includes
part of the follicle usually the weakest which is located in the middle or end
of the follicle.
HAIR AND SCALP
TREATMENT REGIMEN FOR VARIOUS STYLES
Hot Comb: Leave-In
Conditioner The night before you go to the beauty salon, massage the Leave-In
Conditioner into the scalp. Use a heating cap for about 15 to 20 minutes for
deep heating conditioning. Leave the conditioner on the scalp until the next day
and let your stylist wash it out. This treatment will give you the healthy hair
and scalp you desire. Booster Massage the Booster on the scalp twice (2) a week.
The hot comb is drying to the scalp but the booster will give moisture to the
scalp as well as vitamins and minerals. Hair Oil Put the hair oil on the hair
twice (2) a week, don't forget to put some hair oil on the ends of the hair. The
hair oil will give sheen and luster to the hair.
Cuts: Leave-In Conditioner Massage the
Leave-In Conditioner on the scalp three (3) times a week to keep the hair
follicles strong. The chemicals in the curl weakens the hair follicle and the
follicles opening. Booster Massage the Booster on the scalp twice (2) a week.
The hot comb is drying to the scalp but the booster will give moisture to the
scalp as well as vitamin and minerals. Hair Oil Twice (2) a week put a little
hair oil in the hair all the way through to the ends. The Hair Oil will add
moisture and protect the hair from the elements (weather).
Perms: Leave-In Conditioner
Three (3) times a week massage the scalp with Leave-In conditioner. The
Leave-In- Conditioner helps combat the drying and thinning associated with
perms. Booster massage the Booster into the scalp once or twice a week if the
hair is dry. The Booster creates a healthy environment for the scalp to grow
hair. Hair Oil once (1) a week put a little amount of hair oil on the hair all
the way through to the ends. The Hair oil will help to prevent
split-ends.
Braids: Leave-In Conditioner Three (3) times a week massage
the Leave-In-Conditioner into the scalp. The Leave- In-Conditioner will
encourage the hair to grow from the scalp. Booster Three (3) times a week
massage the Booster into the scalp. The Booster protects the scalp from losing
hair follicles that are pulled during the braiding process. Hair Oil Put the
hair oil in the braided hair starting at the root to where YOUR hair ends. The
Hair Oil will protect your hair from being stripped by the braid hair of its
moisture which will leave your hair dry, dull, and lifeless.
HOW DOES STRESS
EFFECT YOUR HAIR?
Stress is a factor that
produces body and mental tension. Whatever happens in the mind influences the
body and vice versa. Whenever they are out of sync, physical and mental stress
will occur. Some of the symptoms of stress are irregular breathing, frequent
tapping of fingers, change in appetite, loss of humor, inability to sleep,
oversleeping, frequent stomach upset, difficulty in thinking, increased drinking
and smoking, increase in tranquilizer intake, endless anxiety and depression,
cold hands, frequent gritting of teeth, eyestrain, repeated headaches, and high
blood pressure. Stress can also result into hair loss in patches known as
ALOPECIA AREATA, thinning, and TRICHOTILLOMANIA, pulling out of ones own
hair.
When stressed out, the body sets off a chain of chemical
reactions 1. The blood sugar soars. 2. Minerals are mobilized from the blood
stream and the bones. 3. Fat is produced at an alarming rate. 4.The heart rate
and breathing speed up. 5.The body is drained of vitamins, minerals, and amino
acids. 6.The hair and nails get nutrients last from the body nutrition system,
due to stress, the hair and nails don't get the required amount of nutrition,
which results to very slow growth, dry, brittle, and wiry.
Hair is
97% percent protein and 3 percent moisture. This strong, fibrous protein, called
Keratin, also comprises our nails and, in animals, claws, feathers, horns, and
fur. The factors that can affect the health of your hair include hormone
changes, genetics, environmental circumstances, thyroid problems, immune
disorders, smoking, the use of harsh chemicals on the hair, medication, stress
level, infections, hair dressing techniques, and a diet that does not have the
proper vitamins, mineral and fatty acids. Some of the possible causes for hair
breakage are fungal infections, permanent relaxers or waves, or color
treatments, excessive exposure to sunlight, and poor diet. The best way to
provide hair follicles with the nutrients they need for active growth is through
the bloodstream. Hair is also a very good indicator of our general state of
health and well being. The vitamins helpful for improving the condition of your
hair include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin B17, vitamin
C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, Biotin, Calcium, Choline, Chromium, Copper,
Linoleum Acid, Fiber, Folic Acid, Inositol, Iodine, Iron, Lecithin, Magnesium,
Manganese, Niacin, Paba, Pantothenic Acid, Potassium, Selenium, and
Zinc.
Recommended remedy to balance
stress:
1. Proper nutrition, exercise, and
stress management.
2. Always check with your doctor or health care
practitioner before starting anything listed above.
There is an old
Chinese proverb concerning the effects of stress of the hair: "GRASS DOESN'T GROW WELL ON A BUSY
STREET".
