Proper Care of the Hair

Our hair is our crowning glory, not only because it is at the top of the head but because it makes a lot of difference to a person's appearance. Hairstyle and hair condition reflect one's personality and style. Neat and well-groomed hair for example is seen in a person who is in control of life and who is organized and easy to work with. Thus, proper care of our hair is as important as caring for our skin.

What is Hair?
Hair is mainly composed of a protein called keratin (about 88%). It arises from the follicle, an indentation that pushes down into the deep layers of the skin. Attached to the hair follicle is the sebaceous gland which is the hair's well of natural oil. Too much or too little production of oil from this gland can cause symptoms of oiliness or dryness in the hair and scalp.

Parts of the Hair
The hair has 3 layers. The cuticle is the thin outer layer, composed of transparent, overlapping, protective, scale-like cells pointing away from the scalp. It protects the inner structure of the hair and is affected by chemical, physical, and thermal damage. The cortex is the middle layer, comprising 75- 80% of the hair's protein structure which gives hair its strength and elasticity. It also contains pigments which give hair its color. The medulla is the central axis of hair, containing a column of soft keratinized cells interspersed with air pockets, helping to give hair its elasticity.

Basic Hair Care Tips
• Untangle your hair gently. Use your fingers to untangle the moment you wake up. Do not force it and make sure that you use the gentlest possible way. Never brush your hair when it is wet. Use a large-tooth comb.
• Proper Combing. When combing, it is good to separate the hair in several sections. Work from the roots downward. Be careful not to scrape the comb on the scalp as this can lead to irritation and sometimes wounds. When you encounter tangles, patiently untangle the hair strands one by one. Never pull or force the comb through.
• Do not overbrush. Brushing tends to release the scalps natural oils. But although this is actually good, too much oil can lead to bacterial growth.
• Proper brushing. Bend forward and allow the hair to fall. Use only brushes that have wooden base natural bristles as these are very gentle on the scalp and rarely cause tangles. Brush from the nape of the neck to the head then all the way to the ends of the hair strands. Repeat this in the hairline areas.
• Dry the hair the natural way. Using the blower all the time can lead to damaged hair as the hot air can easily dry up the hair.

Remember that the hair is an extension of the skin. The type of skin you have most likely reflects your hair type. Thus, basic concepts for the care of your skin are applicable as well to the scalp and hair.

1. Care for Dry Hair
Dry hair tends to be thin and rough. It is susceptible to tangles, damage, breakage and split ends. It may be due to genetics or hair treatments. The primary aim is to replenish the oil and moisture in the hair.
• Consider washing your hair fewer times each week (every two or three days). Use "hydrating" and "moisturizing” shampoos and conditioners that replenish your scalp with essential oils.
• Be sure to take care against heat and chemicals. Decrease use of hot devices that damage your hair such as blow dryers and hair straighteners, or at least use a less hot setting.
• Harsh chemicals in hair color, permanents, and relaxers can strip the hair of vital oils. Some hair dyes contain fewer harsh chemicals than others. Bleaches and peroxides are ingredients to watch
out for. They can make your hair brittle and cause split ends.
• Finally, be extra careful in the summer sun. Sunshine and chlorine can both cause dry hair. The easiest solution is to wear a hat, or simply avoid getting too much sun. You can wear a swim cap or saturate your hair with conditioner beforehand. Wash your hair in fresh water after swimming and condition well.

2. Care for Oily Hair
Oily hair and scalp care is the same as oily skin. The aim is to remove the excess oil and to exfoliate skin cells which tend to clog up and suffocate the hair follicles in our scalp. The emphasis is laid on cleansing and toning routines.
• Wash your scalp and hair as needed, lathering twice if you need to. You might try leaving the shampoo on your head for at least five minutes before rinsing. And condition your hair on the ends only.
• Massaging hair and scalp is important for the well being and good growth of hair. Use a toning lotion instead of oil (as in dry hair).
• An oily-hair "quick-fix" is to dab a bit of talcum powder to the roots of your hair.
• Stay away from any product that adds "shine" to the hair. It will only add more oil to your already saturated locks.

Other Tips for Beautiful Hair:
• Embrace your hair in its natural state, whether it's thin and straight or thick and curly, or somewhere in between. The more you struggle against Mother Nature, the more damage your hair will suffer.
• Get regular "checkups" for your hair. Get your hair trimmed regularly, at least once every two months.
• Remember: Manufacturers want your money. Don't just believe the magazines or the back of the conditioner bottle. Use only what you absolutely need. Often this can be as simple as shampoo and conditioner, and perhaps a deep conditioner to use weekly on dry or thick hair, or a detangler for tangle-prone hair.
• Leave color changes to the professionals. Although do-it-yourself highlights and hair-color kits are easy and inexpensive, the results are almost always not in your best interest. You may cause more harm.
• Take care in styling and braiding hair. Do not over-twist or over-tighten hair. This can apply too much pressure to the hair roots and skin.

Common Hair Problems
Common problems affecting the hair and scalp include hair loss, infections, and disorders causing itching and scaling. It is best to see your dermatologist for proper management and care.
• Hair loss (alopecia) is a frequent concern for both men and women. Although it is normal to shed some hair each day (50-100 strands), some people may shed more. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Male pattern baldness is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head. Women may also develop female pattern baldness in which the hair becomes thin over the entire scalp. Sudden and temporary diffuse loss of a large amount of hair may be related to the stress of an illness or recent delivery of a baby (telogen effluvium). Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder, causes hair loss in small, round patches. Certain diseases (eg, thyroid problems, diabetes, and lupus), medicines, or poor nutrition may also cause hair loss.
• Infections of the scalp include bacterial infection of hair follicles (folliculitis), infestation of head lice (pediculosis capitis), and fungal infection of scalp (tinea capitis).
• Itching and excessive flaking of the scalp is seen with both seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) and psoriasis.

Note: This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment. If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.
The Medical City offers a roster of competent dermatologists who may assess and care for people with hair problems.
For any inquiries or if you would want to seek consult, please call:

CENTER FOR WELLNESS AND AESTHETICS
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6576 / 6492 / 6386
CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6444