Hair Shaft Defined
Simply stated, according to Stedman’s Medical Dictionary:
- The non-growing portion of a hair that protrudes from the skin, from the follicle.
Additionally:
- The hair shaft “is a unique structure composed of an inner cortex and a protective outer cuticle.”
- The hair shaft grows from germinative cells in the hair bulb deep within the dermis.
Hair Shaft Defect, What is it?
Dermatological research* states that:
A hair shaft defect is any structural abnormality of the hair shaft. Some hair shaft defects are easily diagnosed with the naked eye, others may require microscopic examination.
Hair shaft defects may result in:
- No visible hair abnormality
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Coarse or frizzy hair
- Un-combable hair – when disordered hair bundles grow in all directions and cannot be arranged by combing
- Fragile hair – hair shafts with reduced tensile strength. A gentle pull of several hair shafts will help determine if the hair is abnormally fragile.
Hair Shaft Defect, What Causes it?
Hair shaft defects may be due to external injury or rare genetic abnormality that can lead to hair loss.
External injury to hair shaft:
Repeated physical injury is the most common cause of increased hair loss and fragility. This may be due to:
- Excessive grooming
- Traction from braiding or tight pony tail
- Heat from a hair dryer
Chemical injury may be caused by:
- Perming Solutions
- Relaxers
- Chemical Dyes
As noted previously, external injury is more common. Hair loss is preventable with proper hair care. Therefore, it is imperative to start a healthy hair care program immediately and protect your hair shaft.
A visit to a dermatologist should be scheduled to make sure that your hair loss is not the result of a more serious medical condition.
*Source: Dr. Giri Raj, Dermatology Registrar, Liverpool UK, and Dr. Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton NZ.
*Even though our herbal ingredients have been used in natural medicine for centuries, we must add the following disclaimer: The herbs, formulas, and recipes contained within this web site are not to be considered substitutes for proper medical and health care. As with any other medicine, if you are sick, you should consult a physician to find out if the herbal preparations listed here are right for you. Saba Botanical does not make any medical claims nor warranties regarding the use of the products listed on this site. No matter how natural a product is, it may have a potential of causing side effects and allergic reaction on certain individuals. You should consult your physician before taking any medication.
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