Beauty comes from within -
hair follicle and its “pests”
Each hair consists of a visible part on the surface and an invisible part deep within the skin - the hair follicle, which is the root of the hair. At its base, the follicle expands into the hair bulb, which surrounds the so-called dermal papilla, where every new hair is formed. The papilla consists of blood vessels that supply the follicle with nutrients directly from the blood. That is why good blood flow is essential for a well-nourished follicle, from which strong and healthy hair grows. At its upper part, the follicle is connected to a sebaceous gland that produces a fine oil called sebum. This is a mixture of fatty acids, sugars, waxes, and other substances that form a protective barrier around the hair mainly to prevent water evaporation and loss of hydration.Hair is formed through a process in which living, empty stem cells begin to divide. Their division is faster than that of any other cells in the human body. In the next step, the stem cells start to fill with keratin, group into polypeptide chains, flatten, and… die. At the end of this keratinization process, the cells elongate and merge with the visible part of the hair, also known as the hair fiber. This hair-building process shows us that the visible hair is actually dead, and only the follicle is alive. That is why the word “treat” from our previous blog post is put in quotation marks - dead tissue cannot be treated. However, it can be maintained in optimal condition. After keratinization is complete and the hair emerges above the skin surface, the hair mainly consists of keratin, which is a type of protein. Proteins are chains of amino acids whose arrangement is encoded in our genetic code. That is why hair type is genetically determined.
Every person loses between 50-100 hairs per day, which is due to the renewal of hair during its growth phases, which we will cover in one of the upcoming posts. A condition where hair loss is increased is called alopecia or hair loss. This is one of the most common problems affecting hair follicles. It occurs when they do not function properly or become damaged, causing the hair to weaken and fall out prematurely. Hair loss can be triggered by various factors such as genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, unhealthy habits, stress, poor diet, and more. These factors can cause thinning hair, localized or general hair loss. We will share more about hair loss in one of the upcoming posts.
What are the most common causes of follicle damage?
One of the leading causes is a lack of oxygen and nutrients, i.e., impaired microcirculation of the scalp. Microcirculation is the process by which blood moves through the blood vessels. Specifically, in the scalp, it plays a key role in follicle development and consequently in the growth of new hair. Without good microcirculation, follicles do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients necessary for the development of a healthy hair follicle. This can lead to their weakening and disruptions in new hair formation. The result is thin, weak hair prone to falling out. Various factors can reduce microcirculation in the scalp, such as stress, poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and others.
What is oxidative stress?
Hair follicles are susceptible to oxidative stress because they are active cellular structures requiring significant energy to grow and maintain healthy hair. Oxidative stress in the body produces free radicals. These are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells and tissues. Their formation can be due to various factors, such as daily exposure to UV rays from the sun, pollutants, and other harmful environmental substances. Improper use of cosmetics, such as using harsh shampoos or excessive hair styling, can also damage follicles and contribute to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be counteracted with antioxidants.
Scalp aging?!
It may sound strange, but like other parts of the human body, the scalp also undergoes aging, more precisely, the hair follicles age. This process is mainly related to a reduction in their size due to decreased collagen synthesis and increased levels of the enzyme elastase. For this reason, hair becomes weaker, thinner, and lacks volume. Whether this appears early or later in life depends on lifestyle, environmental pollution, stress, and all other factors that also affect skin aging.
How can we counteract the listed "enemies" of the follicles? With products from the BRAVE. NEW. HAIR. Growth series, specially formulated to create optimal scalp conditions.
How do they achieve this?
BRAVE. NEW. HAIR. Growth sulfate-free shampoo and spray-serum work through a specially selected combination of valuable ingredients that:
- stimulate scalp microcirculation and strengthen the growth of new and healthy hair.
- protect follicles from shrinking in size, thus preventing scalp aging.
- soothe irritated scalp and improve its ability to recover.
- are an invaluable source of vitamins and minerals to accelerate growth.
- protect hair and scalp from harmful environmental influences.
Stem cells from green grapes - stimulate scalp microcirculation. Strengthen existing hair and visibly reduce hair loss.
Amla - an ancient Ayurvedic plant that helps slow down aging processes. Research shows that amla stimulates collagen synthesis and slows down the reduction in hair follicle size.
Green walnut extract - contains polyphenols that act as a strong antioxidant. Effectively protects against harmful radicals and oxidative stress.
Arugula extract soothes the scalp skin and enhances its protective functions.
We will also talk about many other things related to hair care. If you are curious to read more, follow our blog dedicated to conscious hair care.
For hair with mood!
