Structure of the human hair. The phases of hair growth on the head. Improved hair structure

Well-groomed hair is the dream of any of the fairer sex. Spending a lot of time and effort on different piling, waving and coloring, many girls forget that the pledge of a beautiful hairstyle - a healthy head of hair. To make it such, it is necessary to find out what is the structure of the hair, what is its life cycle, the causes of pathological changes and how to eliminate them.

From roots to tips

Each hair contains several elements. The visible part of it is a rod, which consists of inanimate cells filled with keratin. In the thickness of the scalp (at a depth of about 2.5 mm) is the part of the hair that determines its appearance - the root. It consists of a multitude of living cells that continuously divide. This process also provides hair growth. Cell division is impossible without the involvement of tissues located near the root. All together they form a hair follicle, from which the nerve endings go away. The structure of the hair on the head is such that damage to this end leads to complete death of the root without the possibility of its further recovery. A great influence on the beauty of the hairstyle is also the work of the sebaceous glands located next to the follicles. If they are excessively large, the scalp becomes oily. Underdevelopment of the sebaceous glands leads to its dryness. Also in the thickness of the skin next to each hair is a muscle that provides its lifting.

Structure of the hair

Good follicles provide rapid hair growth and a significant duration of their life. However, the appearance of the head of hear is also determined by the condition of the rod. The structure of the hair in the section shows that its visible part includes the following layers:

1. Scaly layer. It determines the shine and smoothness of the hair. The more the arrangement of scales will resemble a tile, the more well-groomed the hair will look.
2. Cortical layer. It includes various chemical elements that provide nutrition to the hair. The more of them, the more vital energy the hair gets.
3. Core. This component has been studied very little. According to the results of observations, in a healthy hair with a thick root layer, it is present, and in a weakened one, no.

Stages of hair growth

The structure of the hair also determines the various phases of its life. They cyclically replace each other and depend on the degree of division of the root cells. The life span of the hair can be divided into the following phases.

1. Anogenous. This phase of active hair growth is provided by dividing the cells of its root. The rod extends in length and thickens. This stage lasts about 3 years. It contains about 80-90% of all the hair on the head of a person.
2. Catagenic. In this phase, the atrophy of the hair follicle occurs. Cells cease to divide, hair growth slows down and then completely stops. Its root wrinkles and gradually moves closer to the surface of the scalp. The catagenic stage lasts about a month. In this phase, about 2% of all the hair on the head is at the same time.
3. Telogenetic. This phase is characterized by a rest period of the follicle. Hair is almost not fixed in the thickness of the skin and can fall out at the slightest physical impact. The presence in this phase is characteristic for 20-40% of all the hair on the head.

Effect of growth phases on hair

Most hair falls out during the period of being in the telogenic stage. Some, however, are preserved until the very beginning of the anogenous phase. At the same time, they fall out at a time when the newly emerging hair shaft pushes out the old one.

Phases of growth, as well as the structure of the human hair, determine the appearance of the hairstyle. Long locks, for example, are easiest to grow at a young age. This is due to the fact that each hair has about 25 cycles of life, with each of which it grows smaller and becomes more delicate. In addition, after 30 years, hair growth gradually slows down. Up to this age, they grow about 1.5 cm per month.

Causes of hair problems

There are a number of reasons that can cause a slowdown, hair loss, negatively affect their appearance. They include:

• Diseases of the endocrine system, glitches in the hormonal background and problems in the field of gynecology.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired liver and kidney function.
• Acceptance of certain medicines.
• The lack of vitamins and microelements in the body.
• Heavy physical stress and stress, after which the hair begins to fall out not immediately, but after 2-3 months.
• Wrong hair care, the negative impact of funds for styling, paints.
• Prolonged exposure to direct sun rays on the hair, sudden temperature changes. Excessive overheating of the scalp or severe cold also adversely affect the health of the curls.

Thus, beautiful hair is a sign of a healthy and efficient organism. Dull and brittle ringlets are often a reflection of various chronic diseases and pathological conditions, with which it is necessary to fight in the first place.

Vitamins for a beautiful hairstyle

Very often the structure of the human hair and the duration of the anogenous phase change for the worse because of the lack of vitamins and trace elements. Hair becomes dry, brittle, devoid of shine. In this case, it is necessary to revise the diet or try to fill the lack of vitamins with special supplements. When choosing them, you should pay attention to the presence of the following components.

1. Vitamins of group B. Their lack first of all leads to loss of shine by hair and their dryness. And vitamin B3, for example, is responsible for the normal amount of coloring pigment. Its deficiency in the body is manifested by early graying.
2. Vitamin A. Under its influence, the damaged hair structure is restored, it becomes elastic.
3. Vitamin C is an excellent stimulator of hair growth.
4. Vitamin E is one of the sources of nutrition for hair follicle tissues. Especially recommended to owners of long hair.
5. Zinc prevents the formation of excessive amounts of sebum, it normalizes the fatiness of the scalp.
6. Iron and calcium are needed to prevent premature hair loss.
7. Silicon is involved in the processes of formation of collagen and elastin, due to which the hair becomes elastic.

Hair care

Improving the structure of the hair is possible and with some simple rules of care for them.

1. Regular hair washing as it gets dirty.
2. Observance of the optimum temperature regime. Do not wear too warm hats, in which the scalp constantly sweats. At the same time, staying without a hat at a temperature below 3 degrees for 10 minutes leads to a significant reduction in the anogenous stage of the life cycle of the hair.
3. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, since the structure of the hair on the head from this changes for the worse. In summer, especially when relaxing on the beach, it is better to wear a panama.
4. One of the conditions for owning luxurious hair is sparing methods of laying them. Daily curling, blow-drying, staining - all this leads to problems with the curls.

Qualified help

The structure of the hair is, to some extent, an indicator of the state of the organism as a whole. Therefore, if under the condition of a diet that provides the intake of necessary vitamins and minerals in the body, and the proper care of the hair, they continue to fall out and look lifeless, it is worth turning to the trichologist. Do not try to deal with the problem on your own, because it can be a symptom of a chronic disease. Trichologist will help to understand the causes of pathology and, if necessary, refer to other doctors for advice.