Understanding Hair Follicles: The Key to Hair Growth and Health

Although very tiny, hair follicles are critical to the overall appearance of an individual and their health. They are found on the skin and facilitate hair growth and maintenance. These structures regulate the cycle of hair growth and can be affected by many external and internal factors.

In this article, we will explore this subject, its functions and the part it plays in the growth of our locks and health and also highlight some problems associated with these organs and how to treat them.

What Are Hair Follicles?

These are small structures that look like tubes and are found inside the dermal layer of the skin. They are the roots that hair strands grow from. Each unit of this structure is a dynamic organ that goes through repeated cycles of growth, rest and shedding regulated by a number of factors. These factors include genetics, hormones and environmental influences.

Structure of Hair Follicles

This organ is made up of many parts and they are as follows:

1. The Bulb
2. The Dermal Papilla
3. The Sebaceous Gland
4. The Inner and Outer Root Sheath

The Hair Growth Cycle

These follicles are not always active; however, they go through a repeated cycle of growth, rest and shedding which is known as the growth cycle. This cycle comes in 3 major phases:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase)
2. Catagen (Transitional Phase)
3. Telogen (Resting Phase)

You can visit https://www.buoyhealth.com/ for detailed explanation.

Factors Affecting Hair Follicle Health

There are many factors that affect the health and function of these follicles, and they include the following:

1. Hormones – This plays a very important role in regulating the activity of this organ. Androgens such as testosterone can affect the pattern of growth of human tresses and lead to issues such as male and female pattern baldness. Hormonal imbalance as seen in thyroid disorders can as well cause loss or/and thinning of our locks.
2. Genetics – This is a major determinant of the way our tresses grow, the pattern and colour. People who have a history of loss of their tresses will most likely experience same.
3. Nutrition – These organs need regular and consistent supply of nutrients for the production of a healthy mane. Deficiency in minerals, vitamins and proteins can weaken these organs and lead to thinning locks or total loss. The major nutrients for a full and healthy head of locks include iron, vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc and biotin.
4. Environmental Factors – Exposure to inclement weather and environmental conditions can damage these follicles. Conditions such as UV radiation, pollution and extreme weather can affect the production of a healthy mane. If left untreated for a period of time, these factors can cause one’s locks to become dry and brittle and eventually fall off.
5. Stress – Chronic stress can really impact on the health of this part of the body. It can trigger condition such as telogen effluvium in which these follicles enter into the resting phase prematurely and this leads to increased shedding of one’s locks.
6. Beauty Care Routines– The way people care for their hair can affect the health of these organs. Those who use frequent harsh treatments such as heat styling, perming and colouring stand the risk of damaged follicles and breakage and loss.

Common Hair Follicle Disorders

There are a lot of conditions that can affect the health and therefore the functioning of these organs and lead to a lot of issues with includes loss of their locks. Some of the common disorders include:

1. Alopecia Areata– This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attack an individual’s hair by mistake. Although this can occur in any part of the body, but it is more common on the scalp.
2. Androgenetic Alopecia – This is also known as female or male pattern baldness and its major characteristics is the gradual thinning of one’s locks caused by the shrinkage of the follicles.
3. Folliculitis – This is an inflammation of the hair follicles most times caused by fungal or bacterial infection. It is characterized by red swollen bumps on the skin and in very bad cases, scarring and permanent loss of their locks.
4. Telogen Effluvium – This is a temporary condition in which a great number of an individual’s follicles enter the resting phase before time and leads to increased shedding of their locks.
5. Trichotillomania– This is a psychological disorder that makes a person to compulsively pull out their locks. With time the follicles are damaged and there is significant loss of this part of their body.

Caring for Your Hair Follicles

It is very important to maintain healthy hair follicles if you want to have vibrant and healthy locks. Find below, some tips for maintaining and caring for your follicles:

1. Eat Balanced Diet– Make sure that you diet consists of different nutrients that enhance and support healthy locks. These include foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins (lean meats, seeds, nuts, and leafy greens).
2. Manage Stress – Learn and practice stress management regimens such as regular exercise, meditation and yoga to reduce the impact of stress on these organs.
3. Use Gentle Beauty Products– This is already self-explanatory; do not use harsh chemicals on your scalp and follicles.
4. Protection Against Environmental Damage – Wear hats and use protective spray against UV radiation and inclement weather. Also avoid too much usage of heat and chemical treatment in styling your hair.
5. Stay Hydrated – Always drink plenty of water; this is good for not only your locks but also your general wellbeing.
6. Consult a Dermatologist – From the few conditions we mentioned above, you can see that there are some that must be treated professionally. Much as we advise that you consult a dermatologist, ensure you go to certified professionals such as Sierra Robotic and other clinics that employ the latest technology to provide proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not wait for the condition to deteriorate before you consult a dermatologist; schedule an appointment once you notice significant loss or abnormalities in your hair health.

Conclusion

Hair Follicles are the basis for hair growth, and we have discussed how they play very important roles in the growth and maintenance of healthy locks. We believe that the information we have shared in this article will help you appreciate your follicles better and learn to take care of them for more health and luxurious looking locks.