Cambridge Dictionary describes hair as the mass of thin thread-like structures on the
head of a person. Hair is also referred to a girl's Crowning Glory.
Hair is simple in structure. Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. A hair follicle
anchors each hair into the skin. The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. In the hair
bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. Blood vessels nourish the cells in the
hair bulb, and deliver hormones that modify hair growth and structure at different times of
life.
Human beings have several different types of hairs. The first to develop is the lanugo, a
layer of downy, slender hairs that begin growing in the third or fourth month of fetal life
and are entirely shed either before or shortly after birth. During the first few months of
infancy there grow fine, short, unpigmented hairs called down hair, or Vellus. Vellus
covers every part of the body except the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet,
undersurfaces of the fingers and toes, and a few other places.
On the scalp, hair is usually densest and longest. Hair is continually shed and renewed by
the operation of alternating cycles of growth, rest, fallout, and renewed growth.
Human hair has little protective value, even in hirsute (excessively hairy) persons. With
aging, pigment cells die, and hair turns gray.
Eyelashes, eyebrows, and the hairs inside the external ears and nostrils have obviously
useful functions. The beard and mustache, though, are embellishments, which establish
maleness and are likely to be concerned with sexual or social communication.
The Indian Maharajas (Kings) and aristocratic members kept their hair long, groomed and
adorned their head with golden crowns embellished with diamonds and precious stones.
Silk turbans were worn by the courtiers. The barber (Nai) kept their hair trimmed in
proper shape. Long lustrous hair is considered a sign of beauty in India.
The Queens had maids to groom them and they adorned themselves in crowns and tiaras.
A veil or purdah covered the head of royal ladies.
Perfumed oil was applied to the hair to keep it smelling fragrant.
Combs were made of wood and ivory with elaborate carvings. Hair accessories made of
silver, gold and precious stones were part of the dressing and grooming. Common ladies
adorned their hair with jasmine flowers. Later roses replaced jasmine flowers.
Indian mothers and grandmothers have an elaborate ritual for hair-bath. Oil ( usually
coconut oil) is generously applied and massaged to the scalp to ensure proper blood
circulation and growth. The oil-soaked hair is washed with warm water and homemade
Indian shampoos ( Shikakai) and dried later with soft cotton towel.
Eyelashes
An eyelash is one of the hair that grows at the edge of the eyelid. It grows in three layers
on the edge of the eye lids. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris, dust and small
particles.
Eyebrows
The eyebrow is an area of thick, delicate hair above the eye . Their main function is to
prevent sweat, water, and other debris from falling down into the eye socket, but they
are also important to human communication and facial expression. It is common for
ladies to shape their eyebrows.
Problems of the hair
Hair loss or alopecia affects both men and women, although it is normal to shed
some hair each day. People who experience more than normal hair loss may have the
some hair each day. People who experience more than normal hair loss may have the
inherited tendency to "common baldness." Male pattern baldness is the most common
cause of hair loss in men, with a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the
head. Women may develop female pattern baldness in which the hair becomes thin
over the entire scalp. Sudden and temporary loss of a large amount of hair may be
related to the stress of an illness or recent delivery of a baby (telogen effluvium).
Alopecia areata causes hair loss in small, round patches while tight elastics or braids
may cause hair loss at the hairline (traction alopecia). Certain diseases (eg, thyroid
problems, diabetes, and lupus), medicines, or poor nutrition may also cause hair loss.
Infections of the scalp include bacterial infection of hair follicles (folliculitis),
infestation of head lice (pediculosis capitis), and fungal infection of scalp ringworm
(tinea capitis).
infestation of head lice (pediculosis capitis), and fungal infection of scalp ringworm
(tinea capitis).
Itching and excessive flaking of the scalp is seen with both dandruff (seborrheic
dermatitis) and psoriasis.
grafting, Hair rejuvenation , colouring, perming , straightening , curling etc. Hair parlours
cater to all sections of the society with varying results. One is pampered here at a price.
Wigs are also available in synthetic and natural form.
Indian Culture
Lord Tirupati Balaji
Hair is offered to Lord Tirupati Balaji (Indian God) as oblation by both men and women
devotees. Shaving off the hair/ tonsuring or donating a part of the hair ( in case of
women) is a sign of forgoing material beauty and false ego. Read HERE for more details.
Trivia
Three is not company.
Renuka beckoned her nephew to follow the Zamindar. The eight year old always
accompanied his uncle in the horse drawn ornate carriage citing the reason of joyride.
But he had an underlying mission ordered by his aunt.
"Is her complexion as fair and smooth as mine?", questioned Reunka.
"She is wheat complexioned", the innocent answered.
"Is her hair as long as mine?", caressing her long lustrous tresses.
"No".
By now Renuka was tearing her hair out. What attracted her husband to that woman?, she
wondered. She had everything in her, that could tie down her man to her. Reunka was
always in the cross hairs of the other lady in her life.
"Aunt, it is her smile and laughter that captivates Uncle ", blurted out the boy.
"And what is that?", she asked the little boy, rather irritatingly.
"Will my husband love his mistress when her face is wrinkled or her hair turns gray?",
Renuka consoled herself with a question posed by her and she answered it herself.
Some things don't fade with age. But will Renuka ever realize the truth?
Readers, how to you take care of your crowning glory?
I am participating in the A to Z Challenge.
(Information courtesy Google)
(Google pics)
A to Z Challenge - Day 1. Arms : Parts of the body
A to Z Challenge - Day 2. breasts : Parts of the body
A to Z Challenge - Day 3.Chin & Cheeks : Parts of the body
A to Z Challenge - Day 4. Dimples : Parts of the body
A to Z Challenge - Day 5. Eye : Parts of the body.
A to Z Challenge - Day 6. Feet: Parts of the body
A to Z Challenge - Day 7 . Gums/Gingiva
