Each head holds an average of 85-140 thousand individual hairs. Naturally you normally lose 100-150 single hairs each day. Hair grows approximately 15 cm every year. Each hair can grow for up to 7 years before falling out.
At Schwarzkopf we believe it's important not to gloss over 'the science bit' because understanding your hair and scalp will help you understand how and why it does what it does. Whatever your hair concerns you can probably blame your parents because those mad, thick curls and auburn tones are genetically predetermined.
Your hair is like a health barometer and can be affected by diet, illness, medication and environmental factors so listen to your body to make every day a 'great hair day'.
- 80% protein
- 10-15% water
- 5-10% pigments, minerals and lipids
Each hair strand is divided into the hair shaft above the skin and the root area below it. 80% of each hair strand is made up of a central cortex. At the very middle of the cortex is the medulla.
Colour comes from...
The tiny keratin protein fibres, which are twisted together to create longer, more stable fibres in the cortex. Your natural colour pigments are stored here.
Shine comes from...
Overlapping layers of 'keratin' in the external cuticle that look like roof tiles. It's this cuticle which determines how dull or glossy your hair is, so if the 'tiles' are laying flat you get shiny hair that's smooth and if they stick up you get knotted dull hair.
Hair develops and grows inside a hair follicle. The follicle has a growth centre called a dermal papilla which sucks up nutrients and constantly creates cells that push up out of the skin. It's this constant biological process that makes hair grow.
- Hair grows at about 1-1.5 cm per month
- After 3-7 years the follicle dies, letting the hair fall out
- Normally you lose 100-150 hairs each day
- Follicles then regenerate and grow new hair
Your scalp is full of follicles at varying stages of this cycle ensuring continuous and even hair growth.
Your natural hair colour is dictated by the amount of melanin present in your hair; the more melanin the darker the hair. There are two types:
Eumelanin: a black-brown pigment determining intensity.
Phaeomelanin: which creates blondes and redheads.
Why do we go grey?
Grey hair is created when the melanin production decreases in the root. When you go grey is also dictated by your genes so it’s not strictly a sign of ageing.
Why does dark hair appear shinier than light hair?
The shine of your hair depends on the density of melanin pigments in the cortex as well as the condition of the colourless cuticle that coats each shaft of hair. If the cuticle is rough it catches and absorbs the light producing dull hair, if it is smooth it reflects the light giving of a healthy glow and accentuating the colour in the cortex.
Hair type falls into three categories, but there can be considerable differences even within these groups:
It is the shape, size and curve of the follicle that determines the profile of each hair strand and the cross-section of hair defines its type.
Dark-haired people have the thickest hair, followed by brunettes. Blondes may have the most hair but theirs is also the finest.
Hair growth and texture can be affected by health, nutrition, medication and even stress.
A healthy scalp, good nutrition and no adverse external or internal influences will grow gorgeous healthy hair. You are what you eat when it comes to your hair so pack your diet with a good supply of essential vitamins and minerals.
The perfect 'hair cocktail' consists of:
- Vitamin C (75 mg per day) - found in oranges or boiled broccoli
- Biotin (100 mg per day) - found in eggs, yeast, peanuts, cauliflower
- Iron (15 mg per day) - found in red meat, cereals
- Zinc (15 mg per day) - found in red meat, poultry, chickpeas, beans
- Folic acid (300 mg per day) - found in yeast, liver, lentils, asparagus, oranges, lemons
By using a nutrition chart, it's easy to work out which foods contain these nutrients and in what concentration. You can't go wrong with a plentiful selection of leafy greens, fruit, milk, soy, whole grain products, fish and poultry - a strict and balanced diet is your best guarantee for healthy, beautiful hair!
Look out for the key symptoms of suffering hair: dull, dry, stiff, rough hair that takes longer to dry, has split ends and breaks easily.
Damage
- Back-combing or too much brushing
- Environmental factors e.g. sun, sea, chlorine and heat
- Chemicals
- Humidity (only in combination with mechanical stress)
- Poor health
The cuticle of a normal hair strand comprises approximately ten layers of cells. In damaged or treated hair there are fewer layers, which means the hair is weakened and the cortex is stripped of its natural protection.
Vulnerable conditions
- Split ends requiring conditioning
- Brittle hair requiring conditioning or regular hair cuts
- Grey hair 'treated' by colouring
Treatment
At Schwarzkopf we offer an extensive range of hair care solutions that provide targeted repair, specific to your hair type. For hair that shines with health and beauty - choose Schwarzkopf, professional hair care for you.
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