Interesting facts on Hair structure and Hair Life Cycle.

Hair Structure and Hair Life Cycle.  Interesting to know.

Hair Stucture

Hair is composed of strong structural protein called keratin. This is the same kind of protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of skin.

Each strand of hair consists of three layers.

An innermost layer or medulla which is only present in large thick hairs.

The middle layer known as the cortex. The cortex provides strength and both the color and the texture of hair.

The outermost layer is known as the cuticle. The cuticle is thin and colorless and serves as a protector of the cortex.

Structure of the hair root

Below the surface of the skin is the hair root, which is enclosed within a hair follicle. At the base of the hair follicle is the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is feed by the bloodstream which carries nourishment to produce new hair. The dermal papilla is a structure very important to hair growth because it contains receptors for male hormones and androgens. Androgens regulate hair growth and in scalp hair Androgens may cause the hair follicle to get progressively smaller and the hairs to become finer in individuals who are genetically predisposed to this type of hair loss.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Hair follicles grow in repeated cycles. One cycle can be broken down into three phases.

Anagen - Growth Phase

Catagen - Transitional phase

Telogen - Resting Phase

Each hair passes through the phases independent of the neighboring hairs.

Anagen Phase - Growth Phase

Approximately 85% of all hairs are in the growing phase at any one time. The Anagen phase or growth phase can vary from two to six years. Hair grows approximately 10cm per year and any individual hair is unlikely to grow more than one meter long.

Catagen Phase - transitional phase

At the end of the Anagen phase the hairs enters into a Catagen phase which lasts about one or two weeks, during the Catagen phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of the normal length. The lower part is destroyed and the dermal papilla breaks away to rest below.

Telogen Phase - resting phase

The resting phase follows the catagen phase and normally lasts about 5-6 weeks. During this time the hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle while the dermal papilla stays in a resting phase below. Approximately 10-15 percent of all hairs are in this phase at an one time.

At the end of the Telogen phase the hair follicle re-enters the Anagen phase. The dermal papilla and the base of the follicle join together again and a new hair begins to form. If the old hair has not already been shed the new hair pushes the old one out and the growth cycle starts all over again.

Anti aging formula rated among the best in the world - Read why!!!

At the age of 78, Oleda Baker is living proof that the cell abration anti aging formula works and has earned it's place among the very very best anti aging formulas in the entire world.

Complete CELL-abration Kit includes Instructional Brochure where you will meet the Doctor (MD) who uses and recommends CELL-abration to his patients. Products included:

FORMULA l (Advanced Exfoliant) 15% Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

FORMULA ll (Epidermal Repair) Night Therapy

FORMULA lll (Age-Less Serum) Rich Essential Oils

FORMULA lV (Revitalizer Scrub) Honey and Milk with Almond Meal

You are about to step into the new world of an extraordinary, almost unbelievable, skin transformation program, CELL-abration.

This revolutionary, highly developed product system is designed to encourage the cells of your skin to re-establish the natural rhythms of healthier, younger skin by bringing older, flat cells into sync again. No matter what type or color skin you have, what age you are or what skin problems you may have, the CELL-abration Kit helps to dramatically revitalize and regenerate the cells deep under the skin's surface. It's the best Anti-Ager skin ever had! You'll never be more surprised…I promise you that! (It's a 30 day skin rejuvenation program with enough product for about another 30 days of follow-up maintenance.)

The CELL-abration Kit includes four active products that, while each is a viable treatment on its own, interact with each other when used as a kit to produce really amazing results.

FORMULA I (ADVANCED EXFOLIANT) 15% ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS with two special conditioners. This is the primary product in the kit. It is one of the strongest Skin Anti-Aging Formulas available anywhere without a prescription. It brings old, flat cells back to life. The conditioners balance the mixture of lactic, citric, tartaric, malic and glycolic acids, which make up a full 15% of this wonderful exfoliant. Improves elasticity. Softens and evens out splotchiness. Helps remove lines and wrinkles. Available alone: R285.00 excludes R45 postage

FORMULA ll (EPIDERMAL REPAIR) NIGHT THERAPY. Treats, feeds and moisturizes the skin after using Formula I. The balance of these rich oils, nutrients and moisturizers helps soften, smooth and repair the skin while you sleep, helping to prevent new lines and wrinkles. Available alone: R218.00 excluding insurance and postage.

FORMULA III (AGE-LESS SERUM) RICH ESSENTIAL OILS. Formed from pure, rich essential oils extracted in minute amounts from aromatic plants and herbs. Each oil has its own therapeutic role, feeding, nourishing, protecting and treating newly surfaced cells. Available alone: R230.00 excluding insurance and postage

FORMULA IV (REVITALIZER SCRUB) HONEY and MILK with ALMOND MEAL. Speeds up the dissolution of the bond, or glue, that keeps dead cells from leaving the skin's surface. This application allows FORMULA I to work at its best. But its ingredients also help treat, feed and condition the skin. Available alone: R213.00 excluding insurance and postage.

WE INSURE AND POST TO ALL AREAS WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

Hair Tips for healthy, stronger and more beautiful hair

Ok... so you now know the importance of treating your hair follicles to ensure that your hair grows out healthy and strong and shiny from the root. SEE OUR ARTICLE ON THIS.

But.. what about the hair that you have to walk around with and face people daily? Working with so many South Africans, I have come to know that many, many use things like vaseline, sunlight soap and the like on their hair.  Now.....  vaseline will probably make your hair lie flat and give it a vaseline wetlook shine but what good does it do for the hair or even for the skin for that matter. The fact is that vaseline is not a "moisturizer," but rather a "barrier" which means that having no moisturizing properties of its own, it reinforces and seals the moisture into skin provided by other sources. For instance, if after applying water to your skin, you coat it with a layer of vaseline, you will have in essense sealed in some of the moisture from the water, into your skin, along with whatever was already lying on your skin like oil, sweat, etc.

Another fact is, vaseline is excellent when strong absorption is needed for topical aids, medicines, creams and so on, as it helps provide a more concentrated delivery to the point needing attention. People have slathered some on after applying other treatments first to ensure absorption. The down side and actual danger of doing this is that as a barrier applied to the skin, vaseline does not allow the natural and normal release of toxins, in various forms, from the skin. Ever been around someone who had eaten too much garlic or drank alcohol and you were able to smell it through their skin?

Another fact is that the human skin is our largest organ and it "breathes," taking in both the good and the bad. When vaseline is applied, it smothers the skin and hair strands. Imagine wrapping your head and face in cellophane and trying to breathe, it would be pretty hard, if not impossible.

Take this new information that you have jusst learned and now apply it to what you know about your scalp. As a part of your skin, your scalp sweats, itches, and may be oily or dry. The bottom line is: your scalp does what it is supposed to do and does the best job it can alone to encourage a healthy environment for the growth of your hair. But what happens when something gets in the way to discourage growth by offsetting its ideal balance of moisture and favorable conditions? When vaseline is involved, things can get complicated and extremely messy, literally.

Then... lets take a look at sunlight soap.  Check the ingredients.  Sunlight soap can be and is very often used to wash POTS and PANS... Washing your hair with this soap will be a definite way to ensure that your hair weakens and breaks off.  Yet... many many South Africans are using it and then they cannot seem to understand why their hair is breaking and in bad condition.  Pulling your hair back into a tight ponytail to make it look pretty, off your face and sleaker... This puts so much strain on the hair follicles, especially around the face area, that the hair strands snap and break. Braiding is another culprit.  Some braiders braid so tightly that they damage the follicles and if done constantly, this will cause the hair follicle to eventually die. 

We understand that many South Africans do not have the money to purchase expensive shampoos, conditioners and masques so our advice for the majority of South Africans would be the following....

Use a mild inexpensive shampoo specially formulated for HAIR.  You can purchase a matching conditioner that does not cost an arm and a leg.  If you cannot afford a masque, perhaps smother your hair with conditioner, place a shower cap or plastic bag over the hair and chill in the sun with a book for awhile.  Leave on for as long as you possibly can and then rinse.  Try not to use hairdryers and tongs too much.  If you need to tame the hair a little, rather let your hair dry naturally and then place rollers in.  If you have to use a dryer, try not to use every single day.  If your hair is fuzzy and out of control, use a tiny bit of the conditioner, rubbed between hands and gently apply to the areas that are wild and woolly. 

And then... once again.... always remember, nothing that you put ONTO your hair will ever ever make up for treating and feeding your hair from the inside out, right at the source where most problems start, which is the root.  

The Hair Beauty Team

Tips on Hair Loss and saving your hair roots with Hair Helper Vitamins

Losing ones hair is a frightening experience and can affect your entire life, especially when you are young. There are so many things in normal life that can contribute to you losing your hair.  One of the biggest culprits is not getting enough nutrients and minerals to the actual follicle (root) which lies underneath the scalp. If you think about normal life.... when you get a headache, you use a grandpa or a panado to ease the pain.  You get a bad cough, you would then use a cough syrup to ease the cough.  The same applies to the roots of your hair.  When problems begin, you need to treat the source of the problem.  If your hair is dry, brittle and breaking or falling out in clumps... there is always a good reason and while it might not be life threatening, it is scary for anyone.  The first thing to do is to try and feed the follicles.  Remember... by todays standards, it's almost impossible to eat enough of the right kinds of foods in a day to ensure the right quantities of nutrients and vitamins required by the hair follicle for good growth.  Everyone is moving too fast and dinners are quick microwaved or stop and go or MAYBE mom has made dinner but too much heat can also destroy those precious nutrients required by the body.  You NEED to ensure that the roots are fed properly via the bloodstream.  

You NEED to ensure that the scalp is being "moved" around every day to ensure stimulation and to get blood flowing.  The Hair Helper vitamins work directly with the root ensuring that nutrients and vitamins reach where it matters most.  Even in certain circumstances where the passages have thinned, by massaging regularly, you CAN open those passages again to ensure that the nutrients and vitamins required by the follicle are being carried to where they are needed. It certainly IS true that beautiful hair starts from within. Once the root is being watered and nurtured well, there is a very real possibility that your hair will grow out stronger, shinier and more beautiful than you can ever imagine.  Just like a plant needs good soil, sunlight and water to thrive, your hair follicles need nurturing and pampering and the RIGHT things to ensure that the growth and texture is good. There is absolutely nothing on the market today that is applied ONTO the hair that can make up for feeding the hair from within.  

Think about a plant that you have in the garden.  When attacked by insects underneath the soil, the leaves and stems will slowly turn a yellowish color and the plant will eventually die if nothing is done to save it from the tiny little insects gone to work underneath the soil where no one can even see what they're up to.  Too many people accept when they're told that their hair is falling out because their great grandfathers did or because they're having too much stress at the moment or because they've started a medication because although all of these CAN and DO contribute to the loss of hair, you CAN do something about it.  A hair follicle is the same for all human beings and if you sit by and wait for the follicle to simply die, yes... then there is absolutely nothing that can be done once that happens but so long as the follicle is still alive, no matter how weak and thin it is, there is a chance to revive it and you can do so by feeding it with good blood flow, which means massaging the scalp gently daily and the proper nutrients and minerals that it needs to thrive.  Everyone deserves beautiful hair but this will not happen on it's own.  If you are having problems, act immediately.  Save your hair.  We know it can be done.  We have seen amazing results.  

The Hair Beauty Team

When Should I Start Worrying About Wrinkles?

Prevention is the best wrinkle treatment EVER!!

This is a great question. Wrinkles will eventually come to all of us, and the real key to maintaining a youthful appearance is prevention, followed by incremental and appropriate treatments as needed. In other words, not everyone needs a facelift at 45, but some folks actually will benefit very nicely from it. In general, consider these options:

Starting even as a teenager, sunblock and good skin care is critical - this should be part of your daily routine from very young.

As you get into your 20s and thirties, more formal topical skin care regimens may be appropriate, again in an effort to maintain good skin quality and even to start to repair some signs of aging and sun damage (brown spots, fine lines around the eyelids).

The Cell abration anti-aging formula offered by Hair Beauty is rated among the best in the world and Oleda Baker is the best advert because at age 78, she shows very little signs of lines and wrinkles, proving that this formula deserves to be among the very best in the world.

There is no right time. When you see them, treatment can begin.

The other answer to your question is that children should be using sunscreen to prevent chronic sun exposure, which is the number one cause of the aged facial appearance. Ultraviolet A rays penetrate deeply in to the dermis under the epidermis and degrade collagen and elastin, which then induces wrinkles, yellowing and surface changes like cobblestones once the person becomes older, especially if they continue to expose themselves to the sun over the years.

Take care of your skin. It is NEVER too late to begin.

Caring for Ethnic Hair tips

1.        Healthy living will result in healthy hair. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet; drink plenty of water and avoid smoking.

2.       Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate oil production and to reduce the dryness of your hair. Remember… African hair, generally black hair, is the slowest growing of all ethnic groups, at less than 0.9 cm a month. It is also slightly more dense and grows almost parallel to the scalp, twisting around itself as it grows but as in the case with ALL hair, the follicle NEEDS nutrients and vitamins to produce healthy hair strands. African hair also produces plenty of protective oils, called sebum. In fact, African hair actually produces more oils than Caucasian and Asian hair. However, due to the tight curls, the oil fails to spread evenly along the hair fibre.

3.       Therefore it is even more important for African people to massage their scalp and get the oils spread evenly as much as possible because without this very necessary lubrication, the fibres become very dry. This causes the brittle strands to flake and roughen, resulting in hair that is coarse to the touch.Do not shampoo every day. Ethnic hair is dryer than other hair and if you wash it everyday the shampoo will strip away the natural oils from your hair. Rather shampoo every 3 to 7 days instead.

4.       If you enjoy going to the gym or exercising daily and you sweat, it is recommended that you rinse your hair out with water and only use shampoo occasionally. However, if you want to use a shampoo every day, use a moisturising one with a low PH level when washing your hair.

5.       Don't use a 2- in-1 shampoo and conditioner. They are not suitable for very dry hair. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner.

6.       When washing your hair, rub only in one direction to avoid tangling.

7.       Hot water can dry and irritate the scalp, so rather use warm water when showering or bathing.

8.       Massage oil into your scalp and brush out to the ends of your hair, while your hair is still damp.

9.       Moisturize your hair with a conditioner when you shower, to add shine and give it extra protection, as well as to reduce static and untangle the hair.

10.   Use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate and protect the hair. It also makes it easier to comb.

11.   Blot the water out of your hair, instead of rubbing. Rubbing causes hair to tangle and break

12.   Limit your use of blow dryers, hot irons and straighteners

13.   Use a pick or wide-toothed comb. It makes it easier to comb if your hair is slightly moist, because it can slide easier across the hair.

14.   If your hair is very wet, wait until it dries more, hair is most fragile when it is wet.

15.   If you have a tough knot or tangle, use your fingers to loosen it and then continue combing.

16.   Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it, using a brush to detangle your hair will stretch your hair and may cause your hair to break off.

17.   Use a soft hairbrush on your hair daily which will distribute the oil at the root of your hair and scalp to the rest of your hair. Dampen the brush slightly before brushing.

18.   Get a hot oil treatment once a month to deep-moisturize your scalp and hair.

19.   Satin or silk pillowcases are kinder to your hair, because it can slide across it without getting caught. An alternative to the silk pillowcase is to wear a silk or satin scarf over your hair before your sleep to prevent breakage.

20.   Avoid hair products that contain alcohol which dry out your hair.

21.   Use the Oleda Hair helper vitamins by Hair Beauty -  this product Feeds Hair Follicles To Help Hair Grow and at last South Africans have a product that besides being very affordable, truly works. For Men, Women - All Hair Types and Colors - Light, Dark, Sun Damaged, Wind Damaged, even Over-Processed Hair! Beautiful hair starts with FEEDING your hair from the INSIDE through the blood stream. Lifeless, brittle, thinning hair is very often caused by poor nutrition. Hair follicles (the roots) must have special nutrition in order to have the best thickness, shine and strength you want.

And remember...the very best hair treatment applied ON the hair strands themselves can never ever make up for FEEDING THE HAIR PROPERLY FROM THE INSIDE through the blood vessels. We just can't eat enough foods rich in vitamins and minerals for the kind of strength, thickness, shine, vitality and growth we need for the most beautiful hair. The best way to feed your hair and scalp - is through your mouth, as with the help of our special HAIR HELPERS VITAMINS.

Tips for black women on skin care.

You have all seen it on TV and in magazines.  You so much desire it and often wonder how you can get it.  What is it??  BEAUTIFUL SKIN.  Is it perfect? Not likely, because the models and celebs have a mountain of beauty weapons that the average woman doesn’t have access to like professional make up and expensive skin care.

While perfect skin is usually the hallmark of babies and retouched photographs, beautiful, healthy skin is within your grasp. For black women, a smooth, even complexion is attainable with proper care.

Beautiful skin often begins inside and radiates outward. A healthy diet is absolutely vital. This means eating good-for-you foods and saving indulgent treats for special occasions. Fruits and vegetables should make up a large portion of your daily intake and if impossible to maintain then think about purchasing the Oleda Veggies and Fruit concentrate. Fatty, fried foods should be kept to a minimum. Instead, bake, sauté (in olive oil or oily sprays), or broil your food.

Also, the importance of water cannot be overemphasized. Drink at least the recommended eight cups a day and compensate for alcoholic and caffeinated beverages with more water.

Exercise is also a good component to skin care. Regular workouts keep the skin toned and make you feel good. Find an activity you like, be it biking, walking, jogging, swimming, or sports. If you like what you do, you're more likely to stick with it for the long haul.

Besides following a healthy lifestyle, what else can black women do to maintain touchably soft skin?

Moisturizers are a an absolute must. Darker skin has a tendency to appear "ashy" when it's not well-lubricated. Creams and lotions, best applied after showering when skin is slightly damp and better able to hold in moisture.  You can chat to the Hair Beauty skin care specialist for free advice and helpful tips at any time on the email hairbeauty@iburst.co.za 

For the face, it's best to use a separate moisturizer and our consultants will explain in detail in order to ensure that you get the very very best from your skin care and/or anti aging formula.

A facial cleanser should be used in the morning and at night, especially to wash off make up and a day's worth of grime. You can use your clean hands to wash your face, but if you use washcloths or sponges, these items must be washed or replaced frequently to prevent an overgrowth of germs and bacteria, which will lead to skin problems.

Black women, especially of the darker skin tones, often believe they don't need to use sunscreen since blacks rarely complain of sunburn, but this is false. Black skin also needs protection from the damaging rays of the sun. It is nice to find moisturizers which contain sunscreen as this single combination product does the job of two. Make sure to use sunscreen daily, year-round, to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer. It's also a good idea to wear wide-brimmed hats if you know you're going to be outside for a while, whether gardening or just being out and about; the hat will shade your face from the sun.

If you suffer from acne, do not pick at pimples. This often leaves unattractive scarring and black skin is much more prone to developing keloids as a result. Keloids are scar tissue caused by trauma or surgical incisions. It is important to treat the acne gently, but effectively. Washing too vigorously and handling roughly will only make the problem worse. Chat to the Hair Beauty team on the email provided if you are worried about acne.  One of our consultants will work hand in hand with you to help you work towards having a beautiful, flawless skin.  Again, following a healthy diet and being active also can help to prevent breakouts.

For those who are worried about fine lines and wrinkles, the Oleda anti aging formula is rated among the best in the world and rightly so.  At a whopping 78 years of age, Oleda still looks in her 50's and has the attitude that BEAUTY IS AGELESS ......

For most of us, having healthy skin takes a small amount of work, but beautiful skin is worth the effort. Whether you have ten minutes or an hour's worth of pampering, take the time you need. Whether you are a black woman or a white woman.  Every time you look in a mirror, you'll be glad you did.