Natural Hair Defined
Natural hair is an important biomaterial primarily composed of protein, notably keratin. Keratin assembles into rope-like intermediate filaments. The structure of these filaments provides strength to the hair shaft.
Natural hair growth begins under the skin in a hair follicle. The only "living" portion of the hair is found in the follicle. The hair that is visible is the hair shaft, which exhibits no biochemical activity and is considered dead. The base of the root is called the bulb, which contains the cells that produce the hair shaft. Other structures of the hair follicle include the oil producing sebaceous gland which lubricates the hair.
If Hair is ‘Dead’, Does it Really Matter What I Do to it?
Absolutely. If we care about our hair, it doesn’t have to be dull, dry and lifeless. We can choose to have naturally beautiful and healthy natural hair. Caring for and protecting our scalp is essential for hair growth and beauty. Therefore, avoiding synthetic chemical dyes will prevent potential skin irritation and severe allergic reaction.
According to Wikipedia: “Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. The human body, apart from the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, is covered in follicles, which produce thick terminal and fine vellus hair. Most common interest in hair is focused on hair growth, hair types and hair care.”*
Natural Hair Amplified
A Single Strand: Each strand of natural hair is made up of the medulla, cortex, and cuticle. The innermost region, the medulla, is not always present and is an open, unstructured region. The highly structured and organized cortex, or middle layer of the hair, is the primary source of mechanical strength, water uptake. The cortex contains melanin, which colors the fiber based on the number, distribution and types of melanin granules.
The shape of the follicle determines the shape of the cortex, and the shape of the fiber is related to how straight or curly the hair is. Asian hair typically has a round fiber and is quite straight. Oval and irregularly shaped fibers are generally wavier or even curly. The cuticle is the outer covering. Its complex structure slides as the hair swells and is covered with a single molecular layer of lipid that makes the hair repel water.
The diameter of human hair varies from 17 to 180 µm (0.00067 to 0.0071 in), depending on the color. Flaxen hair is the thinnest and black hair is the thickest.*
Hair Color and Pigment
All natural hair color is the result of two types of hair pigment. Both these pigments are types of melanin produced inside the hair follicle and packed into granules found in the fibres. Eumelanin is the dominant pigment in dark-blond, brown and black hair, while pheomelanin is increased amounts in red hair. Blond hair is the result of having little pigmentation in the hair strand. Gray hair occurs when melanin decreases or disappears.*
Covering gray is no longer something to fret over. Lustrous Henna® hair color covers gray and brings back the natural highlights. It is a plant-based completely natural hair color, free of harmful chemicals. Lustrous Henna® defines hair beautifully.
*Source: Wikipedia,Hair.
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