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COMMON HAIR AND SCALP DISORDERS

 

There are 3 common disorders, which can be either invisible to the human eye or visible on the scalp:

 

 

 

  • Hair loss

  • Dandruff (desquamation)

  • Greasy scalp (excessive sebum production)

 

 

HAIR LOSS

 

ALOPECIA is the name given to all types of hair loss. Hair loss becomes evident when the natural hair cycle is interrupted. There are many factors responsible for both male and female hair loss, even if female hair loss is less evident and women rarely become bald.

There can be several reasons for hair loss, which can be temporary, semi-permanent or in more drastic cases permanent.

 

 

  • TEMPORARY HAIR LOSS: caused by daily stressed, unhealthy eating habits, pregnancy or other factors. After a period of hair loss, which can last from 1 week to a month new and regular hair growth will occur.

 

  • SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR LOSS: generally a female problem which includes the condition of  total alopecia around the facial outline.

 

  • PERMANENT HAIR LOSS: also called baldness, which can effect both men and women. Male baldness generally occurs around the temples, facial outline until it gradually affects the crown area, resulting the occlusion of the follicle duct. Female baldness is identified when there is general thinning at the sides of the head and the crown area.

 

 

DANDRUFF

 

A healthy scalp is guaranteed when there is equilibrium between the level of the natural hydrolipidic film and a healthy microbial environment. When this balance becomes altered there will be an excessive proliferation of scalp flora bacteria.

 

SCALPS WITH DANDRUFF

 

  • Stratum Corneum: increased formation of corneum cells, these cells are no longer eliminated and they group together to form dandruff

  • Stratum Granulosum: increase number of cells group together.

  • Stratum Spinosum: process of alteration and accelerated migration

  • Stratum Basale Germinal: after the microbial environment has been altered the basal cells become more active and the process of cellular division is accelerated

 

Dandruff becomes evident when the body is unable to defend and protect itself against PITYROSPORUM OVALE.

 

Under normal conditions PITYROSPORUM OVALE cohabits with flora bacteria on our skin. When there is a deficiency in the level of normal secretion (sebaceous or sudoral) an irritative layer is formed on the scalp and commands the germinal layer to produce more cells, therefore, greatly accelerating their growth process. At this stage, the cells which have reached the surface quickly will create excessive desquamation, this desquamation becomes visible. If our immune system is weak the scalp micro-environment will be altered with an increased proliferation of micro-organisms, which this occurs cellular division is accelerated and excessive keratinization on the Stratum Corneum will result in dandruff. Dandruff is usually characterized by the appearance of large white flakes or fine and powdery, both are visible on clothes and the scalp.

 

 

GREASY DANDRUFF

 

Greasy dandruff occurs when there is excessive sebum production. Unlike dandruff, greasy dandruff is not always visible as it adheres to the scalp. A scalp with greasy dandruff with feel soft with visible redness, as its natural hydrolipidic film has been altered it becomes the ideal environment where Pityrosporum Ovale can proliferate, when this occurs the scales will be very large and often seborrhea is present. These scales are difficult to shed and the scalp may present small lesions when they are removed. It is important that this condition is treated for 6 full weeks, this is the length of time necessary to guarantee scalp normalization. It is also important to repeat the treatment cyclically and to keep the scalp in a healthy condition.

 

 

SEBUM

 

The hydorlipidic film is made up of sebum and sweat, its function is to keep the scalp soft and supple and to protect from harmful external factors. An excessive production of the sudiferous and sebaceous glands will alter the condition of the hydrolipidic film. When secretion is excessive and the hair structure is weak and prone to dandruff it is highly possible that there will also be hair loss.

 

 

THE SEBACEOUS GLAND

 

The sebaceous gland is constantly forming cells which contain lipids, once they are mature they pass through the follicle and open on to the cutaneous surface.

 

Different factors can determine the alteration of these glands:

  • hormonal

  • dietary

  • nervous

 

The reproduction of sebum on the skin is regulated by the minerals in the blood supply. If the blood supplied to the sebaceous gland is too rich in minerals (Sulphur, Zinc, Iron, etc) the scalp will feel greasy, whereas, if there is a deficiency the scalp will feel dry. Following a healthy and balanced diet will help regulate the flow of sebum to the skin.

 

It is important to treat greasy skins and scalps gently because over stimulating the skin will lead to excessive sebum secretion. The following all increase and stimulate the blood supply; hot water, energetic massaging, hot air during blow-drying, and will result in problems of greasy scalps with hyper seborrhea.

 

 

THE SUDERIFEROUS GLAND

 

The suderiferous glands are not attached to the follicle but use the pores as the way to reach the external layer: Sweat is composed of 98% water and the remaining 2% of:

  • Sodium Chloride

  • Potassium

  • Calcium

  • Magnesium

  • Amoniaca

  • Urea

  • Uric acid

  • Creatine

 

 

Due to excessive production of sweat some of these substances may have a negative effect on the scalp. Sweat deposits on the scalp this helps its transference along the hair strucutre.

 

Different factors can determine an excessive production of sweat:

 

  • dietary

  • nervous/emotional

  • medicines

  • environmental/thermo-regulation

 

 

An excessive production of seat not only can be unsightly but it can also compromise regular scalp functions.

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