Hair loss due to poor hair care (cont)

When a hair starts to grow, it can have up to 10 overlapping layers that make up the ‘armor’ of the hair. As a hair grows older, those layers become worn down through every-day wear and tear, such as combing, friction from rubbing with other hairs, the continuous process of becoming wet and then drying, sunlight, and numerous other things not the least of which is the chemical processes that people subject their hair to. This is why the ends of hairs can become brittle and split. The ends of a hair are naturally older than the roots and have been subjected to more wear and tear. This wear and tear is a natural process but this doesn’t mean of course that hair has to split and become damaged. Proper care can maintain the layers of armor and keep hair healthy and strong throughout its life.


PH levels

When you choose a shampoo and conditioner make sure that you select a product that has the right PH levels. PH is the scientific scale that is used to measure alkaline and acidity. This scale has a range from ‘0’, which is very acidic, to ‘14’, which is very alkaline. Distilled water (water which has had it’s impurities removed by evaporation) has a PH level of 7. Hair and skin has a PH level of around 5 or 6, which according to the PH scale is slightly on the acidic side. When choosing a product for shampooing or conditioning your scalp and hair, try to select products that range between 4 to 7 on the PH scale.

Finally, when combing or brushing your hair, take care with the kind of brush or comb that you use. A firm brush with rounded bristles will not damage your hair and will actually massage your scalp as you brush ensuring that you keep a good supply of blood to your hair.

Think about what you do to your hair, and if it might be contributing to any hair loss that you might be experiencing.