Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
and the air spaces in the cortex determine the colour and shade of hair. The excess
black and deep brown pigment gives the dark hair.
Medulla:
The medulla is the unimportant innermost layer which is composed of soft keratin.
Medulla is often not present in some hair. Hair that lacks medulla is no worse than
hair that has medulla.
Hair functions
Since ages, human hair are considered to be the epitome of beauty. However, there
are more than the looks.
Like an organic helmet, the human hair is a good barrier against natural elements.
The head is the closest to the radiation of the sun and experiences most of the
bumps and falls of childhood to early teenage years (and even well into adulthood).
Hair provides the most efficient means of protecting its immediate surface.
The protective function of the human hair is to prevent germs, insects and other
undesirable creatures from directly invading the scalp. The thousands of strands of
hair act as shields; the 'invaders' stick to the strands, where you can wash them off
with shampoo or similar hair care products.
One of the main channels of temperature change in the body is the head itself. Heat
escapes easily through the head. With a full head of hair, the process of heat escape
is retarded or gradually slowed down during cold winter months. Conversely during
summer, hair acts like a roof over the head and keeps it cool. The melanin present in
hair helps block out the heat of the sun (direct radiation). This works in conjunction
with the sweat and oil glands in the scalp to keep the scalp moist but at the same
time cool due to the evaporation of sweat.
Healthy Hair Characteristics
While describing the condition of hair, it is important to keep hair growth in mind.
Unless the growth is proper and regular, the hair condition is considered affected.
Some of the most common characteristics of healthy hair are:
1. Thick and dense.
2. Fine and silky, not too oily or rough.
3. Lustre-filled, having a shine and gloss.
4. Pliable, capable of setting and styling.
5. Full-bodied and not limp or lank.
Hair Problems
Some common hair problems are as follows:
Grey hair
For some people, grey hair is a distinguishing characteristic; for others it is a
reminder that they are getting older. However you feel about it, grey (or white) hair is
pretty much inevitable with age (if you are fortunate enough to still have hair in your
later years).
Some people start to go grey young - as early as their teens. When greying begins is
usually determined by genes, so if your mother or father became grey early, you may
too. Smoking and certain vitamin deficiencies (particularly vitamin B12) can also turn
hair grey prematurely.
Hair loss
Normally, hair goes through a regular growth cycle. During the anagen phase, which
lasts three to four years, the hair grows. During the telogen phase, which lasts about
three months, the hair rests. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and is
replaced by new hair. The average person loses about 100 hairs each day.
Losing excess hair can be a normal part of growing older but it also can have other
causes, including drugs or disease.
As they age, many men lose the hair on top of their head, which eventually leaves a
horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides. This type of hair loss is called malepattern baldness. It is caused by genes (from both parents) and it is fuelled by the
male hormone, testosterone. In female-pattern baldness, the hair loss is different - it
thins throughout the top of the scalp, leaving the hair in front intact.
Hair damage
Blow drying, straightening, highlighting and perming regularly can wreak havoc on
hair, leaving it brittle, broken and unmanageable. Split ends and dry hair are just two
of the possible outcomes of over-styling.
Split ends
Excessive styling and heat can cause split ends, which occur when the protective
outermost layer of hair layer (the cuticle) is damaged and peels back.
Some cures for split ends include.
Brushing gently with a soft, flexible hairbrush and not over-brushing.
Avoiding towel drying. If you do dry your hair with a towel, rub it gently.
Applying a heat-protective serum or spray before you dry or style your hair.
Dry hair
Hair needs moisture and a certain amount of oil to keep it looking healthy. A number
of things can dry out hair, including:
Greasy hair
The scalp contains a natural oil called sebum, which helps keep the skin lubricated.
Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Sometimes these glands work
overtime and produce too much oil, leading to a condition called seborrhoea or
greasy scalp. Greasy hair can look dull, limp and lifeless and it may be more difficult
to manage.
Regular Hair Care
An effective hair-care discipline involves cleansing, toning and conditioning routines
carried out with religious regularity.
Hair Cleansing
The purpose of cleansing is to wash away excess oil on hair and scalp and clear the
hair follicles off the debris of non-exfoliated dead cells. Proper cleansing encourages
healthy hair growth.
1. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This helps hair grow.
2. Rosemary or stinging-nettle may help
combat dandruff, a source of hair loss and
scalp irritation. Put a large handful of
rosemary into a pan and cover with water.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes and leave to
cool. Strain the mixture through a sieve
into a jug containing a few drops of wheat
germ or any oil. Use this as a rinse after
you have washed your hair with a very
mild shampoo. Finally rinse thoroughly
with tepid water.
3. Sometimes, hair is excessively stripped of
moisture or oil due to harsh cleansing, sun
or application of harsh chemicals such as
perm lotions etc. Massage scalp regularly
with tinctures of stinging nettle, birch,
4
horsetail and rosemary for hair growth stimulation, to disinfect the scalp and to
increase blood circulation.
4. Liquorice extract may help prevent hair loss. Arnica, marigold, rosemary or
southernwoods are also useful for hair loss. For best results, massage infused oil
into the scalp.
5. Wash hair regularly with mixture of Reetha and Shikakai powder.
6. Homeopathic shampoos and oils do not have artificial chemicals. They give good
nourishment to hair. Arnica, Jaborandi are a few of them. They are available at
medium and big shops of Homeopathic medicine.
Hair Cleanse through Jojoba
Jojoba is a natural plant derived liquid wax able to penetrate into your hair, pores
and hair shaft rapidly to loosen and dissolve oil and waxy encrustation. You can use
jojoba oil (nimbu ka tel) on its own to clean your scalp and hair, leaving them free to
continue their normal function.
Depending on the condition of your scalp and hair, you may need one heaping
tablespoon or more of jojoba.
Method
1. Warm up jojoba oil to body temperature by using a double boiler.
2. Make a double boiler by placing a smaller container such as a metal or porcelain
bowl into a bigger container. Pour hot water into the bigger container. Ensure hot
water does not get into the smaller bowl.
3. Preheat the metal bowl by pouring hot water into the bowl and then throw away
the water when the bowl is hot.
4. Place jojoba oil into the bowl. Cover for a few minutes to allow jojoba to warm up.
5. Stir jojoba to ensure temperature is evenly distributed and apply on scalp and
hair.
6. Cover your scalp and hair with a plastic shower cap. Wrap a very warm towel
around the head and wait for half an hour or more to allow jojoba time to
penetrate your hair shaft and dissolve build-ups. When the towel has cooled, put
it in hot water again to warm up. Squeeze out excess water and wrap it around
your head again.
7. After half an hour (more, if preferred) remove towel and shower cap. Massage
your scalp using gentle, circular motion. Start the massage along your hairline
and work inwards in concentric circles.
8. Follow up with a mild natural shampoo. Rinse with warm water and end with a
cool rinse to close pores. The number of rinses will depend on your hair type and
how much jojoba you have used.
5
Note: Initially you may have to experiment with different amounts of jojoba oil to find
the quantity that suits you.
Lemon Tea Amla Hair Wash
Both amla (Indian gooseberry) and **lemon juice are
high in vitamin C. Green tea and amla contain tannin,
which makes this solution astringent. All three
ingredients are acidic and have powerful antioxidant
properties. This hair wash give your hair bounce and
luster.
Powder ingredients
3 tbsp green tea leaves (*seeds or root of the plant are better cleaners)
2 tbsp amla
Liquid ingredients
Materials
Strainer
Method
1. Place dry ingredients in container.
2. Pour in boiling hot water and allow to steep for 30 minutes or more and then
strain out residues.
3. Add in lemon juice and stir to mix.
Method of washing
* Seeds and root of green tea contain higher amounts of Saponins, a natural soaplike substance. The whole seeds and root are available in some herbal medicine
shops. Crush the seeds slightly before use. If you are using the root, cut root into
shorter lengths to allow the Saponins and other phytochemicals to seep out more
easily. Boil about 30 cm of the root in 2.5 liters of water. Simmer root for 10 minutes
after water has boiled.
** Lemon juice imparts a pleasant, zesty aroma to your hair wash. With a ph value of
2.0, it is highly acidic. Dilute the lemon juice so as not to weaken your hair. If you do
not wish to use lemon juice, replace it with vinegar .Some people highlight their hair
6
by applying a strong solution of lemon juice. Then, they go into the sun to let UV rays
and lemon juice to interact with the hair and bleach it- a damaging process on your
hair.
Home Made Shampoo-Conditioner
Powder ingredients
3 tbsp amla
2 tbsp shikakai
Liquid ingredients
Water
Method of Washing
Mix the powder ingredients with water to make thick paste. Wash your hair with body
temperature water. Apply the paste to whole scalp. Keep it for thirty minutes and
then wash.
Shikakai Tea
This is quite beneficial to the hair that has not been oiled before wash. Some people
like to mix shikakai powder and water into a watery muddy tea and immediately
apply to wet hair. This method is very messy when the muddy rinse tea out of the
hair. It is also not easy to get all the grit out of the hair. Others prefer to strain out the
residue, which is the method I prefer as well.
Ingredients
Method of preparation
1. Put 1 - 2 tablespoon of shikakai powder into a bowl.
2. Add enough water to stir into a paste.
3. Pour in warm water and stir until the mixture looks like watery, muddy tea.
4. Stand for at least an hour for nutrients and phytochemicals to seep out.
Occasionally stir the mixture.
5. Strain out residues.
6. Pour liquid into a squeeze bottle.
7
Method of washing
a) Rinse your hair with clean water. Shake the bottle of shikakai tea until it foams.
b) Divide your hair into vertical rows along the scalp. Starting from the back of the
head, apply tea systematically along the length of each row. Squirt tea on your
hair as well.
c) Use a plastic shower cap to cover the head and hair after tea application is
complete.
d) Let the solution soak for about 10 - 15 minutes. In the meantime, take a bath or
do whatever you like.
e) After 10 to 15 minutes, massage your scalp and wash off the solution with warm
water followed by cool water.
f) If your hair feels dry, condition it.
Olive oil also works well if you got paint in your hair: Remove that undesirable tint by
moistening a cotton ball with some olive oil and gently rubbing it into your hair. The
same approach is also effective for removing mascarajust be sure to wipe your
eyes with a tissue when done.
Tea
To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a quart of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly
brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.
Vinegar
You can make a highly effective hair conditioner by combining 1 teaspoon apple
cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 egg whites. Rub the mixture into your
hair, then keep it covered for 30 minutes using plastic wrap or a shower cap. When
times up, shampoo and rinse as usual.
7.
Using a fresh blade, first go in the same direction of hair growth and then in
opposite direction. Don't go over the same area too many times.
8.
In between strokes, be sure to rinse blade. A clogged razor wont work well.
9.
10.
11.
There's a tendency for getting ingrown hairs. Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum
can help with bumps, redness and ingrown hairs.
2.
Pre-shaving oil
11