Under the Microscope Under the Microscope
Hair is amazing! It can tell us our diet, state of health and our genetic makeup. It can betray us at the scene of a crime, its stronger than steel and more flexible. The average diameter of a human hair is 0.1mm thick. There are on average 100,000 of them on our heads which will live for 3-7 years on average.
Male hair is more dense and grows faster than female hair! Typical!!
Whatever our hair type we need to keep it in good condition. But how? What makes healthy shiny hair? Looking under a microscope we can see why our hair shines or doesn't as the case may be, what happens when we overuse products or over brush our hair. |  |
 | Good Condition
This Hair is in good condtion.
The cuticle is the outer layer of the shaft and is the first layer to show any type of damage.
You can see that the cutilce is closed, the hair would feel smooth and because of this would reflect light easily causing shiny healthy looking hair. |
Raised Cuticle
The cuticle on this hair is slightly raised.
This hair would feel rougher to the touch and be less inclined to reflect light.
Hair would appear dull or matt.
Cause: Can be caused by towel drying hair and/or hairdrying. Cure: It is ok to towel dry hair as long as you do not over do it. Rubbing hard with a towel can cause hair to tangle and stretch and snap. Rub hair gently in the direction of growth.
When using a hair dryer maintain a good distance from the hair keeping the heat low. |  |
 | Raised Cuticle (Extreme)
The cuticle on this hair is raised in the extreme.
This hair is typical of damage caused by the hair being over processed when perming. Hair would reflect little light causing it to look limp and lifeless
Cause: Leaving perming solution on for too long, perming too often or bad choice in perming lotion.
Cure: Test hair before perming. | Hair must be in good condition and have the necessary strength to ne able to accept the chemical alteration caused by perming.
The correct type of perm must be used and the correct perm technique must be used. It is highly recommended that you have your hair permed by a professional and do not try this yourself.
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Stripped Cuticle
The cuticle on this hair has been completely stripped away revealing the cortex layer underneath.
This type of damage is caused by the over possessing of colour treatments.
Hair would appear very dull and lifeless. |  |
 | Shattered Hairshaft
This hair shaft has been shattered right through.
This breakage can be caused by a bad choice in perm lotion |
Damaged Hair Shaft
This hair shaft has been damaged by excessive combing or brushing too hard when the hair is tangled causing the hair shaft to stretch and snap.
Never force a brush or comb through your hair. |  |
 | Split Ends
This hair has spilt ends. Can be caused by over brsuhing, brushing hair when wet perming and colouring, towel drying, elastic bands and/or tight pony tails.
No real cure except cutting the hair and snipping off the split ends.
Try to use a product containing Dimethiconol which has split-end repairing properties. |
Knotted Hair
This hair is knotted.
Can be caused by forced brushing and combing etc.
Knotting hair will cause pressure on the cuticle and cortex, leading the hair to break.
Avoid backcombing and use a conditioner after washing. |  |
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