Health Information
|
Hair... the basics!
There are
not many places on our bodies which are not covered by some kind of hair. It is obvious on
our scalp, armpits, legs, pubic area, arms and eyebrows, lids, the chest and face (on
men).
The part of the hair we can see is called
the shaft. The shaft is connected to a part of the skin called the follicle. The shaft is
formed from a protein called keratin and is made of dead tissue. The hair develops from a
root which is at the end of the follicle in the scalp and is fed and nourished by the
bloodstream. The root is about 3 - 5 mm deep in the skin on the scalp. The daily rate of
growth is between � - � mm. If the root is damaged, the hair may fall out and never
regrow.
A sebaceous gland is also in the follicle.
This gland secretes a greasy substance called sebum. The sebum lubricates the hair shaft
and the skin around the shaft and can also give the hair a ‘greasy’ look.
The follicle also contains small muscles
which contract when you are nervous, cold, afraid or shocked. The hair shaft them stand on
end and gather up the skin around the shaft to form ‘goose pimples’.
Hair growth is not continuous all
throughout our lives. Hair goes into resting phases when not growth takes place. The hairs
which are resting become clubbed in shape and lose the normal pigmentation. Only about 10%
of our scalp hairs are in this resting phase at any one time. The follicles are not
damaged during this time and it is totally normal for the hairs to fall out, when the hair
have stopped resting they will grow again.
A substance which lines the follicles and
is mixed in with the keratin is a pigment called melanin. This stains the keratin and
gives the hair its colour. The colour is part of your individual genetic make-up. As we
age, the melanin stops being produced and we go grey. The time which this starts happening
can be affected by heredity, continuous stress and worries and emotional shock.
|
|
The information on our site
carries absolutely no warrantees at all. Our
internet site is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does
not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for
individual medical attention. See your health care professional for medical
advice and treatment. Internet Pharmacy Services disclaims all representations
and warranties, including for example warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose. In addition, Internet Pharmacy Services do not
represent or warrant that the information accessible via this site is accurate,
complete or current. Price and availability information is subject to change
without notice. Internet Pharmacy Services or any of its directors, employees or
other representatives will not be liable for damages arising out of or in
connection with the use of this site. This is a comprehensive limitation of
liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without
limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of
data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third
parties.
Please Read our Terms of Use
Internet Pharmacy Services
Ken Hobson
