Hairs are more important than mere crowning glory. The hair on our head protects the skull by cushioning it and protects the scalp from the sun and wind. And the hairs on our eyelids (eyelashes) and in our nose and ears filter out dust and dirt particles. Just below the skin are sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates and protects the hair.

Hair Facts:

• Each individual head hair has a life span of between two and six years.
• Head hair has three cycles. The growing cycle; the resting cycle, which last for only a few weeks; and the falling cycle, when it dies and falls out, to be replaced by a new hair.
• Most head hair grows about half an inch per month, faster in the summer.
• The average number of hairs on the head is one hundred thousand. We normally shed fifty to one hundred hairs a day.
• The root of the hair is surrounded by a bulb that feeds it with the tough fibrous protein keratin. Each tiny hair follicle has its own blood supply, that's why a good circulation is vital to healthy hair.
• The size of the opening in the follicle determines the thickness of the hair.
• Hair color is genetically determined and caused by a pigment called melanin found in the follicle. The basic hair colors are red, yellow, brown, and black, but most hair is a combination of these colors.
• The decline of melanin production is what causes hair to lose its color, turning into gray, which is its original color mixed with white, or white, which is a complete absence of melanin.
• Hair is straight, curly, or wavy, depending on the shape of the hair shaft, curly hair has a kidney-shaped shaft, and wavy hair has a slightly curved shaft.

Healthy Hair Tips

• Wash your hair in warm water to open the pores and rinse it in cool water to close the pores.
• Use shampoos with natural ingredients (aloe vera, olive oil, avocado etc).
• Don't apply shampoos or conditioners directly from the bottle. Pour small amount into the palm of your hand, dilute it with a little water and then apply it.
• You don't need to wash twice with most shampoos. Washing once will protect the healthy oils in your scalp and on your hair.
• Use a large, thick-toothed comb to comb conditioner through your hair.
• Rinse out conditioner thoroughly, or your hair will be heavy and oily.
• Dry your hair by wrapping it in a towel and blotting it, rather than rubbing it, pulling, or wringing it.
• When your hair is wet, comb it gently, working from the bottom up.
• Wear a bathing cap when swimming in chlorinated pools.
• Rinse your hair right away after swimming in the ocean.
• If possible, avoid or go easy on hair dyes (most of them contain coal tar, which is carcinogenic), bleaches, and perms. They will all eventually make your hair dull.
• If possible, dry your hair naturally. The constant use of hot combs, heated rollers, and blow dryers will make your hair dull.

Nutrients needed by hair:

• Protein. Hairs are 98% protein, so you can probably guess what your key nutrient is when it comes to healthy hair and nails. Although protein is the basic building block of hair, too much of it will do more harm than good. And since hair loss is associated with a high-fat diet, you need to get the majority of your protein from low-fat sources such as fish, poultry and legumes such as soy.
• Vitamin A is a key vitamin for healthy hair. One of the sign of vitamin A deficiency or excess is hair loss. Sources of vitamin A are yellow or orange fruits and vegetables and dark leafy vegetables. Other sources are liver, egg yolks, milk, and butter. You should be taking 10,000 - 15,000 IU of beta-carotene in your daily vitamins, which the body will convert to vitamin A as needed.
• Vitamin E is another vitamin for a healthy hair; it is recommended that everyone take 400 IU of vitamin E daily. Food sources of vitamin E are unrefined, extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, avocados and nut.
• Biotin - is a member of the B-complex family is actually added to many shampoos. However, it will do you more good when u take it on the inside than the outside. Although a biotin deficiency is rare, it can cause hair loss. Biotin can be depleted by low-calorie weight loss diets, oral antibiotics. Eating food high in biotin, such as nuts, whole grains, organ meats (such as liver), and vegetables, can reverse hair loss caused by a biotin deficiency.

Common Hair Problems:

• Graying hair. Graying of hair is a natural part of the aging process, there is nothing you can do to prevent graying hair, but you can avoid premature graying with good nutrition and regular scalp massage and by avoiding hair abuse and stress. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause graying hair, as can a deficiency of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Premature graying can also be caused by diseases such as celiac disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, pernicious anemia, and other autoimmune disease.
• Dry hair. Hair normally covered with the oily substance called sebum, which makes it lustrous and shiny. Harsh shampoos, shampooing too frequently, sun, wind, low humidity, and chlorine will all pull moisture out of the hair and strip away the sebum. This causes the outer layer, or cuticle, of the hair, to crack, exposing the center and causing it to split, leaving hair dry and frizzy. Conditioner do not repair split ends. The only cure for split ends is to cut them off. If you have dry hair give your hair a conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Use olive oil, jojoba, almond or virgin coconut oil. Gently work it into your hair, and then comb it through to make sure the hair is well coated. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes.
• Dandruff is a common disorder of the scalp that causes the skin to scale and flake off, leaving its embarrassing residue on the shoulders. Dandruff is caused when the natural process of skin shedding is accelerated, probably from a fungal infection. Dandruff can also be caused by dietary deficiencies (vitamin A, B6 and C), stress and "hair abuse" in the form of excessive hair dye, perms, blow-drying, etc.