Hair: Function, Graying, prevention

Hairs are elastic keratinized threads that develop from the epidermis and extend down into the subcutaneous tissue. They vary in length from 1 mm to 1500 mm and their thickness is 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

Their hairs are present all over the skin except palms, soles, and urogenital apertures. Each hair has a free shaft projected beyond the surface of the skin and a root embedded in the tubular hair follicle in the skin.

Composition of hairs

1. Cuticle: It is a single layer of scale-like cells that overlap
2. Cortex: is the middle portion of the hair
3. It constitutes the main part of the shaft and is formed of elongated cells united to form flattened fibers. These fibers contain pigment granules in dark hair and air in white hair.
4. The medulla is the inner layer and is composed of rows of many-sided cells. These cells frequently contain air spaces, The hairs of the head and the fine hairs covering the surface of the body do not possess the medulla.
5. The hair follicle has two parts: Epidermal and dermal. The extended lower part of the follicle is named a hair bulb, which is indented at the basal end by a connective tissue papilla.

Function

1. The presence of hair protects the body from the extreme temperature of the environment by acting as an insulator, especially in animals of cold countries.
2. Scalp hairs protect the head from mechanical injury as well as from heat, rays.
3. The hair also does the tactile receptor function.
4. Hair serves a sexual function in promoting the evaporation of the apocrine sweat and the accompanying characteristic odor that goes along with it provides a sexual attraction for the lower animals.

Graying of Hair

It is not unusual for your hair to change as you age. As a younger person, he may have had a full head of brown, black, red or blonde hair. Now that you are older, you may notice thinning in certain areas of your head or your hair may change from its original color to gray or white.

What reasons white hair at a young age?

White hair is more noticeable on people with darker hair color. Although white hair is characteristic of aging, colorless strands of hair can appear at any age—even when you're still in high school or college. If you are a teenager or in your 20s, you may find one or more strands of white hair.

There may be ways to restore pigmentation, but it depends on the cause. Here are the common causes of premature gray hair.

Genetics

Your makeup plays a big role in when you get white hair. Your early graying of hair can be denoted genetic.

You can't change genetics. But if you don't like the way your gray hair looks, you can always dye your hair.

Stress

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. Such as

• Sleep problems
• anxiety
• change in appetite
• high blood pressure
• Stress can also affect your hair. A 2013 study by Trusted Source found a link between stress and the depletion of stem cells in the hair follicles of mice. So if you've noticed an increase in the number of white strands, stress may be to blame. This theory could also explain why some world leaders seem to age or gray more quickly in office.

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune disease can also cause premature white hair. This is when the body's immune system attacks its own cells. In the case of alopecia and vitiligo, the immune system can attack the hair and cause loss of pigment.

Thyroid disorder

Hormonal changes caused by a thyroid problem - such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism - can also be responsible for premature white hair. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. An important role in body metabolism, your thyroid health can also affect your hair color. An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can cause your body to produce less melanin.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Vitamin B-12 is an important to protect of graying of hair, It gives you energy and also contributes to healthy hair growth and hair color.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is associated with a condition called pernicious anemia, a condition in which your body cannot absorb enough of the vitamin. Your body needs vitamin B-12 for healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the cells in your body, including your hair cells.

Smoking

There is also a link between premature gray hair and smoking. One study of 107 subjects found an association between "onset of graying before age 30 and cigarette smoking."

It is well known that cigarette smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. However, the long-term effects can extend beyond the heart and lungs and affect the hair. Smoking restricts the blood vessels to flow the blood. Additionally, the toxins in cigarettes can damage parts of your body including your hair follicles, causing premature white hair.

Can gray hair be prevented?

Prevention depends on causation. If genetics is the cause, there is nothing you can do to prevent or permanently reverse the discoloration.

If you suspect a medical problem, consult a doctor to determine if an underlying condition is responsible for the white hair. If you treat an underlying health problem, the pigmentation may return, but there are no guarantees.

According to one study, if a thyroid problem is causing white hair, re-pigmentation may occur after hormone therapy. Taking vitamin B-12 injections or pills to correct a deficiency can also improve the health of hair follicles and restore your natural color. If white hair appears as a result of stress or smoking, there is no evidence to support the return of pigmentation after smoking cessation or reduction of stress.

Homeopathic medicines | Treatment

1. Hair loss & Boldness: Ustilago 200 one dose / day
2. Infection overhead: Mezereum 200 one dose in alternate days when there is a crust with discharge
3. Graying of hair: Silicea 12X 4 tabs twice daily, another medicine is Acid Phos 6
4. Fragile hair: Mezereum 200 one dose in alternate days
5. Dandruff and Lice: Mezereum 200 one dose in alternate days