| Hair Care Importance |
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Hair care is important to a person\'s overall appearance. If the hair is greasy, tangled or dirty, it can ruin the effect of even the most expertly applied make up. Good hair care starts at home, with a daily routine. Brushing or combing removes knots and dirt that can accumulate on the hair\'s surface. Shampooing also removes dirt, but unlike brushing it removes grease as well. Conditioning moisturizes the hair to restore healthy luster and sheen.
Hair is comprised of three layers: The outside layer is the cuticle, the second layer is the cortex, and the center is the medulla. The cuticle is compromised of overlapped scales. When the hair is healthy the scales overlap tightly and reflect hair, giving it a beautiful shiny appearance. When hair becomes damaged the overlapping scales separate which can allow the hair to become dry. Dry hair loses it\'s shine and looks dull, and also becomes easy to break and hard to manage. This is why good hair care is important, because it helps to preserve the cuticle layer of the hair. It is also important to make sure that the shampoo you use does not completely remove the oil from your hair. Oil is what your body secretes naturally to moisturize your skin and hair, and removing too much of it can contribute to dryness of the hair and scalp. The right shampoo will cleanse away excess oil but will leave enough so that the hair and scalp will be sufficiently moisturized.
The cortex is responsible for most of the weight of hair, and gives hair strength and it\'s elastic properties. This is the layer that is affected when coloring hair or changing hair\'s shape ( like a perm). The Medulla is the center of the hair. Blonde hair does not have a medulla, nor does excessively thin hair. The purpose of the medulla is not known, nor is the reason why blonde hair in particular lacks this layer.
When brushing or combing the hair you want to brush with the direction hair growth. Going against the direction of growth can damage the hair or cause tangles that may be hard to manage. Tangles in hair can also trap dirt and grease which can contribute to poor hair health. Brushing daily with a brush that has soft and rounded teeth is recommended because hard or sharp teeth can mechanically damage the hair by breaking and fatiguing it. Pony tails are a common cause of broken hair, which can result in split ends. Split ends are a condition when hair begins to fray along the shaft, instead of breaking apart cleanly.
Over shampooing, even if you use the correct shampoo for your hair can also lead to dryness of the hair and scalp, which can contribute to split ends and dandruff. Dandruff is dead skin flakes from the scalp that get caught in the hair. Dandruff is unsightly, but is easy to combat for most. Since dandruff is caused by dry skin, adequate conditioning which moisturizes the hair and scalp can greatly reduce the amount of dandruff produced by the scalp.
A good daily routine of hair care includes cleaning and moisturizing the hair, and will contribute to good overall health of the hair. Healthy hair is shiny, lustrous and silky to the touch. It does not have dandruff present, and is resistant to breakage. It is easier to manage than damaged hair or hair that is badly taken care of. Healthy hair is much softer than damaged hair as well. Damaged hair will look dull.
Nutrition is another important aspect to having healthy hair. Vitamins A, B and E are all responsible for healthy hair. Vitamin B3, B6, B5 and B12 are also important to healthy hair, as are Biotin (which helps produce keratin), Inositol (which promotes health of hair follicles) and Pantothenic Acid (which prevents hair graying and loss).
Good hair care can be the most important part of your beauty regimen. Hair is a prominent feature for most people, and conveys a high self image, self esteem and confidence. It is an important feature in the overall appearance of a man or woman. |
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