The appearance of hair depends on several parameters. Knowing these indicators helps to properly organize the entire hair care system - from the frequency and method of washing to the choice of the necessary care and coloring products. The main parameters for assessing the condition of the hair are their type, texture, porosity, elasticity and density.
Hair Types
By appearance, curls are divided into four types;
- straight;
- wavy;
- curly;
- curly.
Curls of the first and second types lie on the head, strands of the third and fourth are above the head. With straight hair, everything is clear - these are even strands without curls. The wavy ones are reminiscent of a repeating S. Moisture makes them fluffy.
Curly and kinky curls look like spirals. At the same time, curly hair is tougher than curly hair and is less easy to style.
Texture (thickness) of the hair
Thicknesshair (not to be confused with density) is the size of the section of hairs in diameter. It is measured with a micrometer. Measurements are taken in four different zones - temporal, crown, as well as in the bangs and at the bottom of the occipital part of the head.
Measuring dry, clean hair without any styling products at the root.
According to the results of measurements, the following types of hairs are distinguished:
thin (soft) with thickness less than 0.05mm;
- normal 0.05 to 0.07 mm in diameter;
- thick (hard) over 0.07mm.
The shade obtained as a result of staining depends on this parameter.
Dependence of staining result on thickness
The dye falls differently on curls of different textures. With the same amount of paint, the result of its application will be very different on strands of different thicknesses.
On thin hairs, the pigment density is much higher, so the shade may turn out darker than expected. For fine hair, use one level lighter dye.
For normal hair, the level of dye corresponds to the desired shade.
Of course, on thick hairs, the pigment is distributed diffusely, that is, much less often than on thin ones. Therefore, the shade of the hair as a result of dyeing looks lighter. This means that stiff strands will require dye one level darker than desired.
Hair porosity
This parameter depends on the degree of damage to the upper outer layer of hairs. His cellsare thin plates. If the top layer is in good, undamaged condition, these cells tightly overlap each other like tiles. The curls in this case are elastic, shiny, lively.
When the top layer is damaged, the plates are deployed, the hairs look like an empty open cone. Their surface is porous, which increases their ability to absorb moisture.
The strands become porous as a result of:
- mechanical influences, in particular, from improper combing or frequent bouffant;
- thermal effects - frequent use of curling irons, ironing or hot hair dryer;
chemical effects of dyes
The porosity of the hair must be taken into account when dyeing it. Very porous hair with increased absorbency is oversaturated with pigment, resulting in uneven coloring, for example, the ends may be much brighter.
The color from such hair is washed out much faster. This happens because the scales of the upper layer are open and unable to hold the pigment inside the hairs.
Be aware that curly hair tends to have a high level of porosity.
Elasticity
This is the property of the strands to stretch and return to their previous state. With high elasticity, dry hair can stretch to a third of its length. Strands with low elasticity can break if stretched. Usually weak elasticity is inherent in damaged porous hair.
Test onelasticity is carried out on moist strands. They are chosen on different parts of the head, pinched with fingers at both ends and stretched. If the strand easily returns to its original size, the elasticity is normal. If it stretched and did not return to its original size, this is evidence of insufficient elasticity. If it breaks, we can talk about a low rate.
Curls with low elasticity require treatment with protein preparations. With insufficient elasticity, they need intensive hydration.
Hair Thickness
Hair density, or their density - what is it? Does it depend on the thickness and other factors listed above?
The density of hair is the amount of hair that grows on one square centimeter of the head. It does not depend on the texture of the hairs. In different people, on the same area of \u200b\u200bthe head, many thin hairs or few thick ones can grow. That is, thin hair can be thick, and thick hair can be sparse. How to determine the density of hair?
According to their density, hair is divided into sparse, medium (normal) and thick. On average, the number of hairs on the head is about one hundred thousand pieces. One square centimeter contains approximately two thousand two hundred hair follicles. The process of their renewal is ongoing. Old hair falls out, new ones appear in their place. It happens that the amount of hair that has fallen out exceeds the number of hair that has appeared, then the hair thins, their density decreases. Usually the density of hair is associated with physicalhuman he alth, but largely depends on hereditary factors.
Who has thicker curls
As a result of research, it was found that the density of human hair depends on their natural color. Blondes can boast the thickest hair. The density of their hair is from one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty thousand pieces. They are followed by brown-haired people with a density of one hundred and ten thousand hairs. Brunettes are slightly inferior to them. Their result is one hundred - one hundred and eight thousand hairs. Red-haired people have the least hair on their heads - from fifty to eighty thousand pieces.
In different parts of the same head, the density of hair growth is different. The thickest hair grows on the crown - two hundred and fifty - three hundred and fifty pieces per square centimeter. At the temples and the back of the head, their number does not exceed one hundred and fifty - two hundred and fifty pieces in one square centimeter.
How to determine the density of hair
There are several ways for this purpose. Of course, we are not faced with the task of counting their number with an accuracy of a hair. It will be enough to approximately determine their density in order to understand what kind of care your particular curls require.
One of the most time-consuming ways to determine the density of hair on the head is the following. It must be emphasized right away that for this you will need an assistant. To find out the density of the hair, you should select a strand on the area of \u200b\u200bthe head with an area of one square centimeter. This strand is selected in the parietal zone, where the hair grows thicker. Counting hairs from thisstrands will take a lot of time, but the maximum accuracy of the result is guaranteed. By comparing the data obtained with the standard figure of two thousand two hundred pieces, you can draw conclusions about the density of your hair.
A less accurate but much simpler hair density test is as follows. Curls are collected in a tail and the thickness of its base is measured with a centimeter tape. If the result is less than five centimeters, the hair can be considered sparse. With a thickness of five to ten centimeters, they can be classified as medium or normal. If the circumference exceeds ten centimeters, the hair can rightly be called thick.
And how to find out the density of hair for owners of a short haircut? To do this, there is a visual test for the width of the parting. This is the easiest and most visual way to determine what kind of hair you have. Hair is divided into parting and carefully studied. With sparse hair, it is wide, the scalp is clearly visible, the hair roots are clearly visible. With thick hair, the parting is narrow, it is difficult to see the scalp.
Ways to increase hair density
It is not enough to know how to determine the density of hair. You also need to be able to increase it. Thick, he althy, beautiful hair is the dream of every woman. What to do to increase their density?
First of all, you need to pay attention to general strengthening factors - proper nutrition, rich in proteins, vitamins and trace elements, adequate sleep, lack of stress. All this prevents hair loss andcontributes to their recovery.
It is believed that the density of hair largely depends on heredity. How to determine whether your hair density is hereditary or decreased under the influence of adverse factors? Usually, if the hair is sparse along the entire length, this indicates a hereditary trait. If the thickness of the tail decreases sharply downwards, this is a signal that there are problems in hair care that require an immediate solution.
However, even if you inherited sparse hair, there is an opportunity to enhance its growth. In the course of scientific experiments, it was found that up to twenty percent of the hair follicles are in a dormant state. By activating their growth, you can achieve an increase in the density of the hairline. To do this, you need to use various tonic and nourishing masks and conduct a daily head massage, stimulating blood circulation and blood flow to the roots.
You can visually increase the volume of sparse hair with the help of the right haircut and styling, as well as lamination or hair extensions.
