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Hair

Know More About

Hair

Hair is simple in structure, but has important functions in social functioning.

Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. A hair follicle anchors each

hair into the skin. The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. In the hair

bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. Blood vessels nourish

the cells in the hair bulb, and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and

structure at different times of life.

Hair growth occurs in cycles consisting of three phases:

Anagen (growth phase): Most hair is growing at any given time. Each hair spends

several years in this phase.

Catagen (transitional phase): Over a few weeks, hair growth slows and the hair follicle

shrinks.

Telogen (resting phase): Over months, hair growth stops and the old hair detaches from

the hair follicle. A new hair begins the growth phase, pushing the old hair out.

Hair grows at different rates in different people; the average rate is around one-half inch per

month. Hair color is created by pigment cells producing melanin in the hair follicle. With aging,

pigment cells die, and hair turns gray.

Nutrition plays a key role in hair growth and appearance.

Hair Follicle: Living part of the hair directly connected to nerves and a blood supply.

Hair Shaft: Dead part of the hair that is visible from the scalp. The hair shaft has no nerve

endings or supply to nutrients. The hair shaft is composed mainly of compacted keratin

proteins and can be subdivided into three layers:

Medulla: innermost layer.

Cortex: middle layer : gives hair structure, color, texture, size

Cuticle : outermost layer: protects the cortex and other layer from damage

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Hair

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Skin

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Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square

feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate

body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Skin has three layers:

The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates

our skin tone.

The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and

sweat glands.

The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue. Hair

grows at different rates in different people; the average rate is around one-half inch per

month. Hair color is created by pigment cells producing melanin in the hair follicle. With

aging, pigment cells die, and hair turns gray.

The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment

melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.

Collagen and Elastin maintain structure and elasticity of the skin. With age, the structure of the

skin changes – less collagen and elastin can be produced.

Skin appears dull & dry with less than optimal function. The skin produces, discards and

replaces about one billion skin cells every day1.

As a person ages:

The structure and function of the skin change - specifically the collagen and elastin

portion of the dermis change.

The hypodermis tissue diminishes in some areas, especially the face, shins, hands and

feet.

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Skin

Know More About

Nails

Know More About

Nails

There’s more to our nails than just the nail itself and the cuticles. When you

understand the makeup of the human nail and what each part of it does, it

will be easier to know how to properly care for them. Once you are aware of

how to take care of your nails, you won’t need as many trips to the nail salon

to keep them healthy, which means you can always have beautiful and

strong nails without breaking your wallet.

The nail is made of a tough protein called keratin, which is made from living

skin cells in the fingers and toes. Keratin is composed of 14% water, 5%

sulphur, 14% lipids (fats), 48% amino acids and a combination of calcium

phosphates and carbohydrates. The main parts that make up the human nail

are the nail plate, nail groove, lunula, eponychium and the nail bed.

Lunula: Also termed as the ‘moon’, the lunula is the whitish part of your nail which is clearly visible to the naked eye. This part is visible the maximum at

the thumb and it is almost invisible in your little finger.

Nail Bed: Right beneath the nail plate is the nail bed. It is made up of two separate layers. The first layer is termed as the deeper dermis, which in turn

contains glands and capillaries. The second layer is termed as the superficial

dermis, which is present right underneath the nail plate and synchronizes its

motion with that of your plate.

Nail Sinus: This is a deep gash in which your nail is based.

Nail Root: The nail root is ideally a subset of the nail sinus and is located at the base of the nail. It is located right underneath the skin. The nail root forms the

nail matrix.

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Nails

Nail Plate: Also known as the ‘body of the nail’, the nail plate is in reality, ‘your visible nail’. It is made from a protein called keratin and it comprises of several layers of compressed and dead cells. The color of your nail plate is pink because it contains several capillaries. The shape of the nail plate ideally depends upon the shape of the bone which is located beneath it.

Distal Edge: Also known as the ‘free margin’, the distal edge is located on the nail paint and it depicts the abrasion of your nail. The abrasion is also known as the ‘cutting edge’.

Hyponychium: Also known as ‘quick’, the hyponychium is located in between the skin holding your finger tip and free edge.

Onychodermal Band: Located beneath the free edge, the onychodermal band seals the hyponychium with the nail plate. It is grey in color.

Eponychium: Often mistaken as a proximal fold, the eponychium enters the nail bed from the nail wall.

The Cuticle: The cuticle is located on the surface of the nail plate. It comprises of colorless, dead skin. It seals the nail to your skin with the aid of the eponychium. While the cuticle can be removed during manicure as it contains dead cells, the eponychium should be left untouched as it contains living cells.

Perionyx: This is the layer which covers the lunula.

The Nail Wall: It is a cutaneous layer which is covers the nail’s proximal end. It also contains the lateral margins as well as the nail groove.

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Nails

Thank You! Hope you Enjoyed the learning.

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Hair, Skin and Nails