Healthy Hair Science and Biology
Trichology which means hair from the Greek word Trikhos is the branch of dermatology that studies hair and scalp health scientifically and the expert who specializes in hair and scalp related problems is called a Trichologist. Human hair is a protein filament that grows from a root from the bottom of the follicle found in the dermis and it is fed blood from the scalp blood vessels to make the cells generate and push the hair through the skin and make it grow.
The anatomy hair can be divided into two which is the follicle and the hair shaft. Generation of hair takes place in the follicle while the hair shaft is the visible hair that we see. Asian hair grows fastest and the slowest hair to grow is African hair according to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Dermatology.
There are four hair types which are determined by many factors including genetics and everyone has a unique texture. The different types of hair are type 1 straight hair, type 2 wavy hair, type 3 curly hair and type 4 tight curls coily hair. The most common hair type globally is the type 1 straight hair.
Human hair performs many functions; it provides protection and heat retention for the scalp from environmental influences. It helps with a person's facial expression and also for sensory reception by interpreting the external senses. Hair helps visual identification of an individual and also acts as an indicator of chemical signal dispersal.
Hair Timeline
The Mesopotamian Civilization are very conscious about style and they are into manicured nails, curling and dyeing of their hairs. The Mesopotamian hairstyles actually dictates their aristocratic status and living. The Mesopotamian are proud of their black hair and refer to them as ag-giga or black haired people. People of all walks of life in Mesopotamia use oils for their skin and hair to soften it. Most of the men shave their heads bald while the women braid their hair.
The Indus Valley Civilization are into the hair care regimen by shampooing and styling their hairs and these hairstyles continually evolve with the passing generations. The American Archeologist Jonathan Mark Kenoyer wrote that the men in the Ancient Indus civilization wore their finely braided or wavy combed hair tied in close buns with headbands. The women part their hair in the middle and they always arrange their hair in a stylish manner.
The Chinese Civilization believes in long locks by men and women due to their respect for their ancestors. In Chinese culture, there is high value for the hair because it symbolizes self-respect and strong political and social status. Young unmarried women wear them down or in simple styles usually of a long low ponytail tied loosely so that their hair frames their face on both sides and shows their forehead. Some prefer to part their hair down the middle as they love symmetry in beauty.
The Egyptian Civilization takes hair care to an advanced level with innovative remedies for styling and accessorizing and they have been using Henna to fight hair grays. The Ancient Egyptian women keep their long because it carries erotic significance. The Egyptians men wear their hair both short and long and they are always cleanly shaven. They also develop wigs and hairpieces to accessorize their hairstyles to suit the occasion.
The Greeks are known to wear their long hair and Homer the historian labels them as long-haired because both sexes grow their hair until adulthood. The Greeksa also like to lighten their hair color using raw materials such as vinegar and lemon juice and use fragrant oils. The women in Greece also like to dye, bleach, straighten and also curl their hair and they were set with beeswax to make their elaborate hairstyle remain longer.
Men and women in ancient Rome gave importance to their hair. The Roman men love to keep their hair relatively short as a symbol of control, status and dignity. They also curl and dye their hair to maintain the image of youngness. It is also a very known fact that Romans are clean shaven. While a woman's attractiveness is determined by their hairstyle because they are to be young and beautiful to be considered worthy and exclusive.
Hair Problems
On average an individual has 5 million hairs that grows all over the body except on the lips, palms, and soles. Normally it takes about 30 days for healthy hair to grow an inch. Usually hairs will grow up to six years and they will fall and new hairs will grow in the place of fallen hair. The most common problems with hair are hair loss, infections, and flaking.
Hair loss or also known as Alopecia happens to many people as they grow old, have diseases such as thyroid issues, diabetes, lupus etc., stress, low protein diet, family history, poor nutrition, medication or chemotherapy.
The skin on top of the head is known as the scalp where the hair grows. The scalp can get affected by different skin problems. The flaking of the skin is known as dandruff and is yellow or white in color and itchy. Dandruff is common among men and usually starts after puberty and it is a symptom of a skin condition that is known as seborrheic dermatitis, or seborrhea. Other symptoms are red and irritated skin.
Babies also can get seborrheic dermatitis and they are known as cradle caps and usually last a few months before reducing by itself. Apart from the baby scalp, it also does affect other parts of the baby's body such as eyelids, armpits, groin, and ear.
There are also two other problems that can affect the scalp. An itchy red patch on the head due to fungal infection that usually affects children is known as scalp ringworm. Scalp psoriasis is a skin condition with symptoms such as itchiness on the scalp or silvery scales with patches of thick red skin.
There are also other hair problems and conditions such as:
Aging changes in hairs (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm)
Dry hair (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003245.htm)
Excessive or unwanted hair in women (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007622.htm)
Folliculitis (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000823.htm)
Trichorrhexis nodosa (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001449.htm)
Home Remedy
Google will give you plenty of home remedies for dry, damaged hair, for hair growth, lustrous hair, etc. Buy unadulterated coconut oil and castor oil. Mix 200 milliliters of coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of Castor oil and massage it on your scalp lightly every night before going to sleep. You will see the results after one week and it should be continued for at least 2 months.