What Is Hair and How Does It Grow?

Hair is made of a protein called keratin. It has a hard outer layer called the cuticle and soft inner layer called the cortex. It also has a central region called the medulla, which gives hair its strength.

Most mammals have hair, which helps them keep warm and provides camouflage. In addition, hair often serves as a communication tool. For more information, click the Our Website Here to learn more.

Your hair grows from a root in the bottom of a hair follicle (FAHL-ih-kul) in your skin. It is made of cells and a hard protein called keratin, which is what gives your hair its strength. Keratin also gathers oils from nearby glands to keep your hair soft and shiny. Your hair goes through three phases of growth. The first is the anagen phase, which can last for several years. During this time, the follicle proliferates hair cells, creating the hair shaft. These cells are filled with pigments that give your hair its color, namely dark brown pigment called eumelanin and lighter bluish pigment called pheomelanin.

As the anagen phase continues, these pigments are distributed evenly throughout the shaft of your hair. At the same time, specialized cells produce a thickening substance called collagen, which adds strength to your hair. When the anagen phase ends, it moves into a transitional phase called catagen. During this time, the follicle shuts down cell production, the cells shrink, and the hair root condenses into a bulb-like structure called a club root.

At the end of the catagen phase, your hair enters a resting stage called telogen, which can last for up to four months. During this time, your hair stops growing and detaches from its blood supply. The hair then falls out, leaving behind an empty follicle that is ready to begin a new cycle of growth.

To support this growth process, your body needs to consume a healthy diet that is rich in proteins and vitamins and minerals. Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, and dairy products. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide complex carbohydrates that supply energy for your hair follicles. Your hair is also nourished by vitamin B6, which helps create protein, and by folic acid, which promotes cell division. You can get folic acid from foods like avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach, or you can take a supplement.

Structure

Hair grows from a follicle that is located beneath your skin. It is made up of two distinct parts – the hair follicle and the shaft. Hair is made of a strong, insoluble protein called keratin. Keratin is also found in nails and the outer layer of skin.

The hair follicle is a small sac-like structure that houses stem cells that can continuously grow and regenerate new strands of hair. This structure is also associated with sebaceous glands that secrete oil, known as sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the hair. A smooth muscle called the arrector pili is attached to the follicle and can cause your hair to stand up in response to certain emotions such as fear or excitement.

As the hair strand emerges from the follicle, it passes through an inner root sheath (IRS) and then a cuticle layer that consists of flat cells that overlap like tiles on a terra-cotta roof. This sheath protects the softer, more spongy hair cortex layer and gives your hair its natural shine.

A spongy, solid core called the medulla is present in some types of hair and plays a role in the strength and overall structure of your hair. This layer is surrounded by the cortical cell layers that make up the bulk of your hair.

The medulla and cortex are both rich in a structural protein called a polypeptide. The polypeptide contains a combination of disulfide bonds that give the hair its strength, elasticity and lustrous appearance. A recent study by a group of researchers has shown that the ability to control the reduction rate of disulfides in the keratin protein matrix of the hair follicle allows for dynamic changes in the structure of the hair shaft, affecting its hardness.

Texture

The shape of the hair follicle and how much keratin is produced determines the texture of our hair. It is also influenced by genetics. Generally, African hair tends to be coiled and drier while Asian hair is straighter, and Caucasian hair falls somewhere in between. Hair color can also influence the shape of the hair follicle, as it can make the strands appear curly, wavy, or straight depending on how the color is processed.

Knowing the hair texture you were born with is important, as it allows you to embrace your natural beauty and style it properly. It can also help you understand what kind of products and techniques will work best for your unique strands. While it is possible to change your hair texture, it is not always easy and may require regular maintenance.

Texture refers to the thickness and diameter of individual strands, and it is typically categorized as either fine, medium, or coarse. Fine hair is thin in diameter and delicate in nature. It can become oily or greasy easily and is more prone to breakage than other textures. Fine hair can also be weighed down by too many products, making it difficult to achieve the desired style.

Medium hair is a bit thicker in size than fine hair, but it is still very delicate and fragile. This hair type can be prone to frizz, especially during humid weather. It is a good idea to use plenty of conditioning and moisturizing products to keep this hair healthy.

Coarse hair is a little thicker than medium, and it can be very resilient to styling tools and chemicals. However, this type can be dry and brittle due to overuse of hair products and heat. It is recommended to use hair products that are specially formulated to protect and nourish this unique texture.

Color

The color of your hair is primarily determined by melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the hair follicles. Two kinds of melanin give your hair its color: eumelanin, which produces black or darker colors; and pheomelanin, which produces red, yellow, and light brown colors. The combination and concentration of these pigments gives each person’s hair its specific shade.

The gene that determines hair color is called MC1R, but many genes also play a role in the pigment production process. These include ASIP, GPR143, MLPH, KITLG, HPS3, OCA2, SLC45A2, SLC24A5, and TYRP1.

In addition to a person’s natural hair color, dyes are also used to alter the appearance of hair. These can be semi-permanent or permanent, and can vary in hue from blond to red to black. Hair coloring products contain pigments that are chemically bound to the protein in hair. These pigments are released when the hair is washed or exposed to heat.

Some types of hair dyes contain ammonia to provide alkalinity and help the color to penetrate. Other hair dyes are based on plant extracts or natural compounds. Henna, for example, is a plant-based orange dye whose active component, lawsone, binds to the keratin in hair. Many store-bought hennas, however, contain metallic salts that react with hydrogen peroxide to produce unpredictable results.

Hair color is a very personal choice, and people choose to lighten their hair for all sorts of reasons. It is often done to make oneself appear younger, and it is sometimes a way of covering up gray hairs. It is important to use a safe dye, as even semi-permanent or permanent hair color can cause damage and may require regular treatments. Using a gentle shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for colored hair will help to prevent the color from fading faster.