Scalp and Hair
What Are You Treating?
A little elementary knowledge about hair helps us to understand how to look after our crowning glory. Hair is a protein matter called ‘keratin’. The hair that we see is a horny substance that is actually dead. Hair grows from a narrow tube below the surface of the scalp called a follicle. At the base of the follicle is a concentration of living cells called the papilla, which eventually form hair. Next to each follicle is a sebaceous gland which produces the natural oil that keeps our hair lubricated and shiny.
Each hair is made up of three concentric layers. The outer layer has tiny transparent scales which contribute to the shine. It is when these scales are removed that the hair loses its natural lustre and begins to look rough and dull. The middle layer contains the pigment that gives hair its colour. There is also an inner layer, which may not be present if the hair is very fine.
Individual hair has three phases of development – growth, transition and resting phases. It is at the resting phase that that the hair is shed and the same process is repeated by the hair that replaces it. At any one time each hair is at a different phase, therefore not all the hair falls out at the same time. It is only when hair loss is more than the replacement that thinning and balding sets in.
Grey hair is a mixture of colourless hair and naturally coloured hair. When the pigment cells become inactive, the hair turns white. This can happen due to a number of factors – aging, illness, sudden shock or some internal disorder.
Hair has certain characteristics which help us to know how to handle it, e.g. It is porous which allows dyes and other lotions to penetrate it. It has elasticity, therefore Styles and procedures can cause it to be stretched or damaged.
Hair can be dry or greasy. Dandruff and other scalp conditions can hinder growth. Under activity of the oil glands will cause dryness, overactivity will cause oiliness. Hair is fed by blood flowing to the follicles. That is why diet, and a good blood circulation are so important. External care that we give to the scalp is essential for healthy hair. Fatigue, mental tension and internal ill health can be reflected in the health of our hair.
Healthy, luxuriant hair is not difficult to achieve if you care enough about yourself to spend the time to nurture it. Like all beauty assets, it needs constant care, after all hair is like a beautiful, delicate fibre – handle it that way.
The key to healthy hair means allowing time for your it Weekly Head massage with hair oil – stimulates and circulates the blood flow Daily Hair Tonic – Just as the skin on the face and body need toning, so does the scalp. Use a natural shampoo that does not have any artificial chemicals. Consider a weekly/fortnightly / monthly Henna Treatment.
Hair Types
Dry Hair
Needs plenty of nourishment. The roots require extra oil and feeding. Hot oil treatments, hair tonic and a nutritive hair shampoo will go a long way to balancing the scalp. The main idea is to loosen and relax the scalp so that blood circulation in the head is accelerated and the sebaceous glands are stimulated. The tips of the fingers should be firmly placed on the scalp, working in small circular strokes, clockwise and then anticlockwise, moving the scalp as you do so. A listless massage is useless.
Recommended products: OmVeda Hair Oil, OmVeda Hair Tonic and Amla Shampoo.
Oily Hair
Too much brushing should be avoided, because it will over stimulate an already over active scalp. A good tonic will help to regulate the oiliness. Excessive oiliness, when neglected often leads to falling hair and premature baldness, especially in men after 35 years. Lost hair cannot be replaced, however, if the problem is checked in time, it can help to alleviate the problem.
Recommended products: OmVeda Hair Tonic and OmVeda Henna Shampoo
Hair Loss
Hair loss can be triggered by a variety of reasons. Often, the primary cause cannot be traced. Internal diseases, reaction to drugs, and dietary deficiencies are some common causes to hair loss. Each hair has a life span. When it falls off, it is replaced by another. Then the rate of of loss overtakes the rate of replacement, general thinning or hair loss takes place. It is therefore important to maintain the health of the hair to ensure that replacement does not suffer.
If there is a problem, it is essential to seek professional care to determine the cause and treatment. If scalp infection is the problem it can be treated externally. Medicated hair tonics and treatments are used to restore the scalp to balance.
A large measure of success has been achieved through use of plant extracts that promote hair growth and improve the health of the scalp. Henna, shikakai, reetha, amla, bael and other extracts have been used in cases of acute hair loss. Not only do these extracts have therapeutic value, but the body responds well to natural organic products. Allergic reactions and side effects are non-existent.
The use of hair brush should be stopped whilst the condition exists. It is better to use a wide toothed comb when required. Unfortunately, most people only act when the they are confronted with the problem, then panic creating a vicious cycle. A little care on a regular basis goes a long way, so act now.
Talk to the OmVeda Consultants for advice. Click here to email us your enquiry or phone on (02) 9810 1830.
Henna
Henna Information
The use of Henna has been traced back to ancient Egypt and India. It is believed that henna originated as a cooling device, and was used to bring down high fevers, and an antidote to sunstroke and heat. Gradually, henna developed as a beauty aid. In India, henna is applied on the hands and feet in intricate designs as an important part of traditional weddings. In both India and Egypt, women used henna to colour their nails.
The best results of henna has been seen as a hair treatment with a plethora of benefits some of which are:
- Gives body and bounce to the hair
- Gives it a shine and leaves hair easy to manage
- Effective scalp cleanser
- Regular use will promote hair growth and restore good health
- Checks greying with regular use
- Good for dandruff and hair loss
- Cases of alopecia have been successfully treated
Natural Henna will always give the hair a reddish colour. Best results are obtained when henna is mixed with other herbs like amla, shikakai, bael fruit, madder. It is best to make a paste with eggs, yoghurt and lemon. Adding coffee gives a browny red colour.
If you have light coloured hair, then you cannot use henna unless you are happy to have red-coppery highlights. Also if your is already grey, the henna will give it a carrot-red colour. If you happen to have dark hair, then you can benefit from the goodness of henna treatments.