Healthy hair that naturally retains its softness, shine, and bounce is something we all aspire to. But the reality, of course, can be somewhat different.
In a survey they ran in 2019 for International Women’s Day, Tyme magazine found that 20% of women reported crying over a haircut they did not like, and third would avoid being in photos altogether if their hair wasn’t playing ball.
Moreover, as we get older, the volume of hormones our body manufactures tends to fluctuate, which can result in thinning or hair loss.
This most often happens around perimenopause and menopause, when a woman’s levels of estrogen production start to fall – which is why some seek restoration treatments from companies like Gro Clinics New Zealand.
Thankfully, healthy, or at least healthier, hair is something you can easily achieve, and it’s all down to science.
So, how can you look after your strands to maintain that ‘just stepped out of the salon’ aesthetic?
Here’s what you need to know.
About Our Hair
The average woman has about 100,000 individual hair follicles on their scalp, which is a lot of hair to look after!
Yet many of us don’t quite understand how it comes about, let alone how best to look after it.
Essentially, hair strands are individual protein threads that grow out of tiny pockets, called follicles, that reside just under our scalp’s skin. While the thickness of the strands they produce might vary between individuals, the follicles overall are responsible for keeping our hair thick, luscious, and full-bodied.
About Hair Follicles
All the individual hairs on our head start at the follicle, which has three parts to its structure. They are the bulk, dermal papilla, and sebaceous gland.
The bulk is the base where the hair initially starts to grow, while the dermal papilla provides the hair with the nutrients it needs to continue to grow healthy and strong.
The sebaceous gland produces the natural oil (sebum) that your hair needs to remain shiny and moisturised.
Interestingly, the point at which your hair is attached to the follicle is the only section of the hair that is ‘live’.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the first steps to maintaining healthy and happy hair is to ensure your scalp is thriving with fresh follicles.
About The Hair Shaft
When it is well looked after, hair can be a very robust fibre. However, due to it being extremely absorbent, it can also become easily damaged if not looked after properly.
Like hair follicles, the hair shaft comprises three parts: the medulla, cortex, and cuticle. Here is a bit more information about them:
The Medulla
This hollow, soft shaft is made of keratin fibres (a type of protein) that forms the central part of your hair strands. Additionally, it possesses air spaces which are responsible for establising how thick your hair will be.
As the medulla is only found in coarse and thick hair types, you typically won’t see it in fine or naturally blonde hair.
The Cortex
The layer which surrounds the medulla is known as the cortex. It is made of more structural melanin and proteins, which is responsible for giving your hair its distinctive colour and comprises the majority of its mass.
The Cuticle
The outer layer of your hair, which protects and surrounds the cortex, is known as the cuticle. This is the component that ensures your hair has a shiny appearance if you look after it.
Intriguingly, it comprises dead cells that, when seen through a microscope, resemble overlapping fish scales. Although they typically lie flat, they can lift under particular conditions, such as a change in temperature.
Excellent Scientifically-Proven Hair Care Ingredients
So, what can science tell us about the best way to grow and maintain healthy hair?
Well, in a similar vein to skincare, certain substances and bodies have been proven, or at least strongly linked, to increased hair health.
In recent times, the beauty industry has started to include exotic or scientific ingredients in its portfolio of shampoos, conditioners, serums, and masks.
As it can be easy to be seduced by slick marketing campaigns and blinded by technical terms, sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what is and is not good for your hair.
Well, the next time you are browsing in the haircare aisle at your local chemist or supermarket, here are some very beneficial ingredients for your hair that you should look out for.
- Alcohol
- Argan oil
- Ceramides
- Collagen
- Keratin
- Silicones
Of course, there are good and bad versions of all of these, so it’s important to pick a high-quality haircare product if you want to look after your hair.
The best are made from organic, plant-based, and natural ingredients, which are just as good for your scalp and hair as they are for the environment.
Here is some more information about the best in-hair products you should use.
