Back To My Roots

August 3, 2025

Am I loosing more hair than usual? Is my hair thinning? What can I do about my shedding? Is there anything more “natural” I can do for my hair loss? These are questions that I have been periodically asked throughout my 20+ years as a licensed cosmetologist and budding clinical herbalist. As of late, it seems as though these inquiries are a bit more frequent- so back to my roots I go! I have retrieved my seriously ancient textbooks, course materials throughout the years and did some current researching on the internet to compile this 4 part series of posts throughout the month of August. I hope this abundance of information can be helpful as the month of August is Hair Loss Awareness Month.

Hair Loss -

Part 1:

Hair loss is not picky about whom it affects- as it is a global issue and an ever growing multi-billion dollar market. Statistics show that more than 63 million people in the US suffer from abnormal hair loss and an estimated 80% of cases of androgenetic alopecia are due to genetic factors. Further more the Hair Loss Treatment Industry Analysis is an estimated 2.2 billion dollars a year  with an estimated  3.5 billion market analysis by 2030. With all the marketing and sales hype its kind of hard for one experiencing hair loss to know  exactly what to do, where to go, what works and in some more serious cases who to talk too. For centuries hair has played an important role in our identity and in creative expression. In understanding minor inconveniences with our hair, and in some cases more serious disorders such as hair loss, we must consider the skin our body's largest organ, as well as our individual body as a whole. Everything is all connected, however one size isn't for all. Having a basic understanding of the composition, function and structure of hair/scalp/skin along with other factors is a start to your healthy hair journey.

 Composition/Structure/Function of Hair/Scalp/Skin

Our hair and nails are appendages of the skin. The main purpose of our hair aside from adornment, is to protect the head from heat, cold and injury. Hair is comprised of a protein called keratin. The chemical composition ratio/percentage of hair which varies with its color, includes carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen.

The human hair has 2 parts: The Root and the Shaft.

Root: is the portion of hair structure located beneath the skins surface.

Shaft: is the portion of hair extending above and outward of the skins surface.

Structures associated with the root are:

Follicle: tube like depression in the skin/scalp that encases the hair root (glands are also present and attached to the follicle)

Bulb: structure forming at lower part of the root, covering the papilla.

Papilla: located at the bottom of the hair follicle. Within the papilla is a rich blood supply which contributes to the growth and regeneration of the hair and also has ability to produce cells. As long as the papilla functions– hair will grow.

Hair Shaft: comprised of three parts:

Cuticle: Outer layer of the hair shaft, is transparent and protects the inner shaft.

Cortex: Middle layer of hair which gives hair its strength, elasticity and pigment (hair color).

Medulla: Inner most layer of the hair shaft, may be absent in very fine hair.

Photo credit- Milady’s Standard Textbook of Cosmetology

The Hair Growth Process

The hair growth cycle is composed of 4 phases:

Anagen Phase: (growth) lasting 2-6 years

Catagen Phase: (transitional) lasting 2-3 weeks

Telogen Phase: (resting) lasting 2-3 weeks

Exogen Phase: (shedding)

It is normal for a healthy individual to shed 50-100 hairs daily. The average growth rate per strand is 1/2 inch per month. The rate growth differs on specific parts of the body, between sexes, races, and aging. Scalp hair also differs among individuals in strength, elasticity and waviness. The growth of scalp hair occurs more rapidly between the ages of 15-30 and declines between 50-60. Scalp hair grows faster on women than men. The average life of a single hair is 2-6 years. There is an average of 1,000 hairs to a square inch, varying depending on hair color, Blonde-140,000  Brunette -110,000  Black– 108,000  Red—90,000

 Determining Type of Hair Loss

· Non– Scarring Alopecia's ( Non– Cicatricial Alopecia’s ). This type of hair loss is without destruction of the hairs follicle and may be slowed or regress with proper maintenance, treatments and products.  Examples: Androgenetic Alopecia’s ( hereditary male or female pattern baldness), Telogen Effluvium (brought on by stress and results in the hair staying in the telogen stage. An increase in stress releases cortisol and sometimes results in thinner hair, shedding of hair or more severe coming out in clumps). Alopecia Areata ( develops when the body's immune system attacks the hair follicle causing loss. It can affect the whole body.). Traction Alopecia—hair loss due to strained and weakened follicles due to traction of tight hair styles for lengthy amounts of time, think ponytails, braids, dread locks etc. Anagen Effluvium-  a type of abnormal hair loss when the hair is in the anagen phase of growth, usually brought on by certain chemicals, drugs, chemotherapy. Medical Conditions

· Scarring Alopecia's (Cicatricial Alopecia's)- hair follicles damaged by inflammation (many different types mostly replaced by scar tissue), Lupus erythematosus, Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, Lichen Planopilaris, Folliculitis, to name a few. For this hair loss is permanent due to destroyed follicle and hair can generally not regrow in the affected area.

Understanding the above along with the proceeding factors is a great foundation and key to understanding and determining your journey to healthy hair and skin. In part 2 “Understanding Factors Affecting The Skin & Hair” will be posted next week.

Resources

Hair Loss Awareness Month – August 2025   https://nationaltoday.com/hair-loss-awareness-month/

 Kibbe, Constance V. “Milady’s Standard Book of Cosmetology” Delamar Publisher, NY 1990

 Hair Loss Statistics 2025 (Types, Treatments...)  www.medihair.com

  “Hair Loss Treatment Market-Size Industry Report On Share, Growth Trends & Forecast Analysis  (2025-2030)” mordorintelligence.com