Damaged hair is a common phenomenon which mostly affects women, and increasingly also men. Fashion trends dictate creative hairstyles, hair dyeing, ironing and different types of drying, all of which can have a damaging effect on hair.
As a result our hair passes through various more or less shiny stages and this also affects a person's general wellbeing. Damaged hair causes indisposition and has a negative effect on a person's self-image. However, this is not an insoluble problem. Many factors with a damaging effect on the hair can be avoided. Existing damage can be repaired by using quality hair care products.
How do we know that our hair is damaged?
Hair condition is evaluated by using criteria such as suppleness, shine and easy combing. Loss of suppleness is often a consequence of mechanical damage and chemical processes. The cuticle of a damaged hair fibre has an uneven surface, with many scraps, indents, cracks and typical jagged edges visible under the microscope. Cuticular scales are parted and damaged, which makes the hair is dry and porous. Damaged hair is:
- lacks shine,
- breaks and splits easily,
- is no longer soft,
- is hard to the touch, difficult to comb out and it tangles easily,
- is more difficult to manage and style.
Which factors have a damaging effect on the hair?
Environmental factors, such as strong sun, temperature variations and changes in air humidity damage the hair cuticle. Because of this the hair changes its properties: it loses its shine and suppleness, becomes dry and brittle and in some cases its strength is impaired.The condition of hair and the attractiveness that results from it are influenced not just by the environment but also by the way we handle and manage our hair and by our general well-being. The hair is mostly damaged by chemical and thermal processes and by excessive use of hairstyling products.
Two very common causes are improper care and use of inadequate or low quality hair care products. Hair damage may also result from long-term stress, illness, medication, hormonal changes, or it may be an indicator of an imbalanced diet, deficient in vitamins and minerals.
What structure does a hair fibre have?
The hair fibre consists of three concentric layers. The medulla is surrounded by the cortex which in turn is covered by the cuticle, the outer hair layer. The cuticle consists of small overlapping scales which run along from hair roots to hair ends. Cosmetic hair care products can hardly reach the hair medulla. The hair cortex, which contains the natural pigment, is often compromised by dyeing, bleaching, perms and hair straightening. The cuticle is a hair structure segment which is most vulnerable to mechanical damage.
Structure of hair fibre Source: www.excellence.qia.org.uk
What effect does combing have on the hair?
Daily combing with inadequate combs or brushes is the main cause of mechanical damage to the hair cuticle. In some cases the cuticle at ends of long hair is so severely damaged that the cortex surface is visibly exposed. Combing of dry hair leaves the cuticle thinner, however, even more extensive damage to the cuticle is done when combing wet hair. Combing of tangled hair may cause extensive damage to a considerable segment of hair, and even more damage is done when combing hair after bleaching, dyeing, perms or exposure to strong sun's rays.
What measures should be taken?
Hair damage can be prevented by avoiding the harmful factors. Some of them such as combing are unavoidable, although we are quite aware that they lead to hair damage and loss of shine. When damage is already done, the problems can be solved by adequate products for dermatological hair care.
- Regular trimming of hair ends improves the appearance of hair.
- A balanced diet which contains sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals and is complemented by biological nutrition of hair strengthens the hair.
- Use of a quality dermatological shampoo can reduce hair damage and restore the hair's natural shine.