The hair follicle is actually a part of the skin which grows hair by packing old cells together. Attached to each follicle under the skin are sebaceous glands, and the more sebaceous glands there are, the thicker the density of hair. The sebaceous glands secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair – our natural conditioner. The glands deposit sebum on the hairs, and bring it to the skin surface along the hair shaft. At the base of the follicle is a large structure that is called the dermal papilla, and around the papilla is the hair matrix. Cell division in the hair matrix is responsible for the cells that will form the major structures of the hair fiber and the inner root sheath. This is one of the fastest growing cell populations in the human body, which is why some forms of chemotherapy that kill dividing cells may lead to temporary hair loss. The dermal papilla nourishes all hair follicles, and plays a pivotal role in hair formation, growth, and cycling.

Keeping the hair follicles healthy and supplied with the proper nutrients helps to prevent hair thinning and hair loss. For instance, androgens can adversely affect the dermal papilla and hair matrix’s ability to help grow hair — but it has been found that certain enzymes can lessen the adverse effect of androgens and promote hair growth. Hair needs a balanced diet to stay healthy with proper levels of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Hormonal imbalance can cause hair loss as well.

Each follicle normally goes through a five-year cycle of growth and rest, with about 90% of the follicles growing hair at any one time. These healthy hair follicles should last a life time, but there are several major causes of hair loss: genetics, aging, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle. We cannot control the aging process and genetics, but we can help keep our hair follicles, and bodies, healthy — and we can even stimulate hair growth where healthy hair follicles are present. Taking good care of your hair follicles and hair, with proper nutrition, supplements, and hair care products, can help maintain or increase hair growth.

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Hair Follicles and Healthy Hair Growth

Dry hair is much more easily damaged than hair that has enough natural lubricants. The hair shaft is rough and breaks more easily when you brush or comb it. Split ends are also more likely to become a problem when your hair is excessively dry. This will often result in the loss of entire strands of hair, if you do not remove them. (Despite advertisements to the contrary, there are no products that can repair a hair shaft that has split.)

Blow dryers are one of the chief causes of dry hair. Never use the high setting on your blow dryer. Start with the medium setting and allow enough time to dry your hair with the least amount of heat possible. As the water in your hair evaporates, lower the heat setting until you are only using air.

Hair that is air-dried will never develop the constant dryness that we associate with blow dryers. Forgo the convenience of instantly dry hair occasionally. Towel dry your hair. Then use a detangling comb to help loosen your hair enough for air to flow through it. Use your fingers to fluff your locks and separate your hair, until it is all completely dry.

Apply oil and moisturizing products sparingly. Your scalp can usually produce enough natural oil to give your hair the lubrication it needs. Although hair is porous, it cannot absorb massive amounts of oil, other moisturizing products, mousse and styling gel. Over application of these products creates a vicious cycle that makes it necessary to shampoo your hair more frequently or to use more shampoo to clean your hair. And, in the process, you will wind up with dry hair all over again.

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Saving Your Tresses, One Dry Hair at a Time

We could naturally expect that the aging population of the planet would be running to get the latest proven hair loss treatments, if any of them had a high success rate. Moreover, if all these hair growth treatment claims were true, wouldn’t consumers spread the good news by “word of mouth”?

One “new treatment” is the laser comb. Its looks like a replay of an old idea used in beauty parlors during the middle of the 20th century. At that time, cosmetologists used a contraption that held a special fluorescent bulb; the wavelengths of the fluorescent light spectrum were touted to help restore dead hair follicles to life. This device has passed into obscurity (for obvious reasons).

The cost of the laser comb ranges from $370 to $500, depending on the seller. That is a hefty investment for any product that has no independent, unbiased test results. The manufacturer does NOT claim that the comb restores dead hair follicles. However, consumers who are losing hair are urged to use the product to prevent further hair loss.

The laser comb received marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration in 2007. However, this agency does not have the authority to require test results for this kind of consumer product before the fact.

The FDA’s medical device clearance procedure is not the same as the one used for prescription medications. It merely certifies that a device is similar in function to a device that is already on the market. That is hardly a resounding endorsement of the effectiveness of the laser comb.

Therefore, consumers who invest in the laser comb must do so at their own risk. Unless consumers suffer injuries from its use, the FDA can only require that the laser comb manufacturers change the wording of their advertisements if it is turns out to be an ineffective hair loss treatment.

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High Priced Hair Loss Treatments

According to the Old Testament, Samson was a Nasserite. These people had a special role within the Hebrew community. The religious community chose many of them for this role. In Samson’s case, his parents claimed that an angel foretold his birth, his rise to leadership and his extraordinary feats, including freeing the Hebrews from bondage under the Philistines.

One of the restrictions that the Hebrew religion placed on Nasserites was that they could never cut their hair. There were additional prohibitions that Samson had to observe as well. These included avoiding wine and any fruits of the vine.

His long hair intrigued all the women in Samson’s life. His wife, his concubines and of course his mother went to great lengths to keep his hair healthy and well groomed. The Old Testament does not contain any records of how often Samson washed his hair. Nor does it contain any information about his shampoos or his other hair grooming aids.

Obviously, Samson lost the same 50 to 100 hairs daily that everyone else does. However, we can assume that Samson had a hair care routine that kept his hair from thinning. He must have done something to keep his head free of lice that affected so many people during that time in history. His hair care practices must have also included some ways to keep his hair follicles healthy too.

We can follow the story of the adult Samson for more than 20 years. By the time Delilah cut his hair, he was of prime age to begin seeing the effects of male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, the story ends shortly after that historic haircut, so we will never know whether Samson’s locks would have continued to grow until he reached a ripe old age!

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Hair Loss History, Samson the Nasserite

Symptoms/Diagnosis
The underlying symptoms of woolly hair start in infancy. Due to the nature of the genetic defect, they initially develop keratosis pilaris, bumps or rashes in and around the body’s hair follicles. Keratosis is an excess of keratin, a protein in skin. When people have keratosis pilaris, hair follicles get trapped in their pores. These skin abnormalities generally affect the back, forearms, thighs, and even one’s butt. The skin condition resembles goose bumps (usually a temporary reaction to external stimuli). Some people refer to this condition as chicken skin.

Prognosis
In people with keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans, the skin around the hair follicles hardens and gets stiff. Hair is not able to grow through the affected follicles. Somtimes hair breaks off in the follicle (ingrown hairs). Most people have tufted (woolly) hair. This may result from the abrasion that the hair suffers when pushing through the keratin plugs in the hair follicles. The condition affects scalp hair, eyebrows, beards and eyelashes. Scarring alopecia is the primary cause of hair loss, often complete baldness. People who have the genetic defect also report sensitivity to light, eyelid thickening, and itching. Medical examinations also reveal that some patients have abnormal development of the lower jaw and corneal abnormalities.

Treatment
Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans is treatable, but no cure is available at this time. Some people have successfully relieved symptoms with application of topical corticosteroids and injections of triamcinolone acetonide, when used for sustained periods. Retinoids taken orally seem to be most effective when hair loss is in progress. However, the medical community does not recommend prolonged use of retinoids for children. Recurring infections are often treated with antibacterial or anti staphylococcal drugs. Diagnosis and treatment requires testing by a competent dermatologist.

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Woolly Hair Worries

Lupus patients often have skin inflammation and frequent unexplained fevers. The inflammation can occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp. One form, cutaneous lupus, may result in scarring or cicatricial alopecia. If scarring is widespread on the scalp, the hair loss will be permanent. Most lupus hair loss is temporary. Normal hair growth should resume after successful treatment of the disease. Once lupus goes into remission, the patient’s hair follicles and skin will no longer be inflamed. However, constant care is necessary to minimize thinning hair and to protect the hair follicles, during the course of treatment.

Lupus patients should consult a dermatologist as soon as hair loss begins. If the patient waits too long to get assistance from a dermatologist, additional damage to the scalp can occur. In addition, the presence of inflammation and the resulting hair loss are indicators that the patient’s medication is not controlling the immune system well enough to prevent flare-ups and rashes.

Lupus patients should also inform their hairdresser that they are being treated for this condition. Hairdressers may be able to suggest styling tips that reduce friction and stress on the hair. The patient and the hairdresser should discuss potential hair damage and scalp irritation from hair dyes, chemical treatments and styling techniques that use heat, such as blow-drying and curling irons.

A lupus patient should use a mild baby shampoo, when caring for hair at home. Buy a comb with widely spaced teeth and a brush with rubber tips instead of nylon bristles. Minimize all handling of your hair while it is wet. Use the comb to gently remove tangles. Try to avoid using blow dryers until the dermatologist says it is safe.

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Lupus and Thinning Hair

Fewer people are aware of the suffering of victims of other forms of medical hair loss because they don’t receive as national attention as cancer does. In some cases, these victims have temporary hair loss that is related to a medical condition that is not life threatening. In others, the health challenge that the hair loss victims face is as serious as cancer. The additional trauma of losing one’s hair only adds to the misery of medically related hair loss.

An iron deficiency is certainly less serious than cancer. However, if left untreated, it can result is significant hair loss, in addition to damage to overtaxed internal organs like the heart. Women suffer from iron deficiencies, commonly known as anemia, much more often than men do. The chief culprit for women is often a prolonged menstrual cycle. This can have several treatable causes, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. It may also be genetic or a result of poor eating habits. In this situation, the body’s survival mechanism limits the resources that it allocates to nourishing your hair follicles until the iron deficiency is corrected. If you correct the anemia, your normal hair growth will usually resume.

Many people with diabetes also experience hair loss. Since diabetes is treatable and preventable in many cases, it is a good idea to be aware of the possibility of developing persistent high blood sugar, which may become diabetes. Mayo Clinic has concluded that the near epidemic rise in diabetes in America is directly related to obesity. Changing your diet may help you lose weight diabetes and avoid medication.

Most people assume that excessive sugar intake is the only culprit in adult onset diabetes. However, research has shown that an excessive intake of calories, fats, and carbohydrates also contributes to the onset on diabetes in adults. Losing weight, eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, along with lean proteins and unsaturated fats is a proactive strategy that can lower your blood sugar. Normally, once your blood sugar is under control, you can expect your hair growth to return to normal.

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Preventable Medical Hair Loss

Hair Styles

African Americans are also more likely to style their hair with braids, especially popular for children. Many people use excessive pressure to coax curly hairs into a smooth braid. Hair extensions have become very popular among women of African descent. The natural hair and extensions are woven together very tightly, in order to achieve a neat finish.

As a result, many women (and some men) who frequently wear braids now suffer from traction folliculitis, especially around the hairline. Folliculitis is obvious when bumps and pustules form at the base of the hair shaft. They are often accompanied by redness of the skin, making this condition resemble common acne.

Underlying causes such as diabetes, existing dermatoses (sebhorrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema), and obesity make some people a predisposed to folliculitis. In many cases, the onset of folliculitis is a warning. Untreated symptoms often result in alopecia.

Styling Practices

Common cultural practices for hair care among African Americans include applying pomades and heavy oil products to the hair shaft and scalp. This practice relieves dry, itchy scalp, but it also clogs hair follicles. The hair follicles become inflamed. The inflammation produces more discomfort that many treat by applying more oil. Without proper diagnosis and medical attention, this minor irritation can result in significant hair loss.

Sebhorrheic Dermatitis

Many African Americans experiencing hair loss are improperly diagnosed with alopecia. The reality is that sebhorrheic dermatitis is more likely the culprit. Dandruff or seborrhea affects all races of people. The white flakes that fall from the scalp are telltale signs of dandruff.

A closer examination of the scalp is necessary to diagnose sebhorrheic dermatitis. In addition to the flakes common to dandruff, scaly patches and inflammation are visible on the scalp. Sometimes the skin on the scalp is tender and painful.

The medical community has not determined the cause of this condition. There is some evidence that the buildup of sebum (oily secretions) on the scalp and in the hair follicles may play a significant role. Hair loss is common if the dermatitis is not treated. Hair regrowth treatments may be needed after the condition is cured.

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Misdiagnosed African American Hair Loss Symptoms

Ginkgo biloba, ginger, and cayenne pepper all improve the circulation of blood in your body. Standing on your head also sends more blood to your scalp. Sending more blood to your scalp won’t change the number of hair follicles that are producing new hair at any given time. It won’t revive a damaged hair follicle that is no longer able to produce new hairs either.

Can increased circulation help you regrow hair, if your body is genetically wired for male or female pattern baldness or you have a disease condition that is causing hair loss? It’s unlikely, unproven, and unsuccessful for most hair loss victims. Anyone who experiences hair growth with this folk remedy has probably, by coincidence, started their regime at a time when some hair follicles are resuming normal growth, after their resting phase. Voila, new hair growth.

Have you heard that if you mix apple cider vinegar and sage tea together and put it on your scalp, your hair will grow back, within a few months? Apple cider vinegar does have beneficial effects on your hair. It helps to cleanse the hair of buildup from grooming products. Sage tea may also have a similar effect. Once you have removed the buildup of conditioners, mousse, and other hair grooming products, the volume of your hair may increase. Although, the amount of hair on your head isn’t likely to increase, the thin or bald spots won’t be as noticeable. Unfortunately, many people will take this as a sign that their hair growth has resumed.

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Hair Growth Home Remedies 2