Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!
You have more than 100,000 hairs on your head, but you lose some every day. About
50 to 100 hairs fall out each day while you're washing your hair, brushing or combing
it, or just sitting still. But don't worry, new hairs are constantly replacing those
that have fallen out.
Each hair on your head grows for about 2 to 6 years. Then it rests for a few months
and finally falls out. It is replaced by a new hair, which begins to grow from the
same hair follicle. This cycle of hair growing, resting, falling out, and being replaced
helps to maintain just the right number of hairs on your head.
Hair Comes in Many Colors
What kind of hair do you have — black and curly, blond and straight, or some
other combination? Hair color comes from melanin (say: MEL-uh-nun),
the substance that gives hair and skin its pigment. The lighter someone's hair, the
less melanin there is. A person with brown or black hair has much more melanin than
someone with blond or red hair. Older people lose the melanin pigment in their hair
as they age, making their hair look gray
or white.
Often, a person's skin color goes with the color of his or her hair. For example,
many blondes have light skin, whereas many people with darker skin have dark brown
or black hair. And don't forget genes
(genes are what you inherit from your parents): Usually, a kid's hair color is determined
by one or both parents' hair color.
When it comes to type, your hair follicles make a difference. Some hair follicles
are structured in a way that produces curly hair, whereas others send out straight
hair. Follicles also determine if your hair will be thick and coarse or thin and fine.
Taking Care of Hair
With hair, the main thing is keeping it clean. Some people wash their hair every
day, but others do it just once or twice a week. It depends on your hair and what
kind of things you've been doing, like exercising or swimming.
When you wash your hair, use a gentle shampoo and warm water. Lather up using your
fingertips, rather than your fingernails. You might use a conditioner or a shampoo
containing a conditioner. This can take the tangles out or your hair and make it look
smooth. But depending on your hair, it can also make it look flat and oily. Rinse
your hair with plenty of clean water. Dry it gently with a towel and use a wide-tooth
comb to untangle it.
Be kind to your hair — wet or dry — by being gentle when you comb or
brush your hair. Don't yank on knots too hard and don't wear your ponytails and braids
too tight. This can irritate your scalp. And if you use curling irons or blow-dryers,
be careful and ask for adult help when needed. You don't want to burn yourself.
Here's an easy way to have great-looking hair: Eat a healthy diet. It's not as
weird as it sounds. A nutritious diet helps your body from the inside out!