Wait - What Exactly Are Hair Follicles?

Blonde woman looking at her scalp in the mirror with concern.

 

We all want long, lush, and healthy hair but when it comes to our hair we rarely talk or think about what each strand is actually made of and how to best support each strand's strength, health, and growth cycle from the inside-out. Today we wanted to get to the "root" of hair health (see what we did there?!) and share a few ways you can support your hair health and growth.

 

What are hair follicles?

Hair follicles are tube-shaped structures that hold each hair into the skin. The follicles are all over the body and scalp and are located on the surface of the epidermis. At the base of a hair follicle, there is the root of each hair strand.

Blood vessels located around the hair follicle and hair root provide the root with the necessary nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to support hair growth. Sebaceous glands also located near the hair follicles produce moisturizing oils which help keep the hair and skin smooth and healthy.

 

How many hair follicles do I have?

You may be shocked to hear this but the average person has 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles and hair strands on their head at any given time. Each day we lose approximately 100 strands of hair per day which may sound like a lot, but when you consider how many you have on your head it really is quite a small amount.

 

Do hair follicles affect the texture and color of hair?

Yes! While there are a number of things that affect hair texture, the shape of your hair follicles is one of them. More circular hair follicles tend to produce straight hair while oval hair follicles tend to produce curly or wavy hair. Your hair color is also affected by your hair follicles.

The hair follicles contain melanin which is responsible for determining the color of your hair. Over time, we lose some of the melanin in our hair follicles and that is why our hair becomes grey or white as we age.

 

Is there anything that I can do to support my hair follicles and hair growth?

Of course! There are many things you can do to support your overall hair health.

 

One Tru Bloom a Day Keeps Your Hair Lookin' Great!

The ST. TROPICA Tru Bloom Vitamins are the ultimate way to support your hair growth from the inside out. They contain essential hair nutrients and superfoods to support your healthiest hair growth. Your hair will thank you for including this miracle worker in your daily hair care routine!

Reduce Harsh Hair Treatments

Using bleach, hair dyes, or permanent hair treatments (like perms or permanent straightening) on your hair can cause hair follicle damage and hair damage. Unfortunately, once hair follicles are deeply damaged there is no way of repairing them and that is why if you're looking to prevent hair and follicle damage, we recommend that you skip harsher hair treatments.

 

Avoid Parabens, Phthalates, and Sulfates

While parabens, phthalates, and sulfates are used in many hair and skin care products, that doesn't mean they should be. Parabens, Phthalates, and Sulfates are commonly used ingredients in hair care and they can be harmful to your hair and skin and even contribute to hair thinning and hair loss over time. We recommend avoiding hair care that contains these harmful ingredients.

 

Nourish Your Hair and Scalp

The ST. TROPICA Beach Goddess Hot Oil Hair Mask is really a two-in-one hair care treatment. It nourishes the scalp, supporting hair growth right at the root and it also deeply moisturizes the hair, making it smoother, softer, and stronger from root to tip. Apply this scalp and hair treatment once weekly to enjoy healthier hair instantly.

 

3 Responses

Cynthia V

Cynthia V

March 06, 2023

I appreciate the clear and concise explanation used to describe the anatomy and function of hair follicles, making it easy for readers to understand. Overall, this blog is a great read for anyone looking to understand the role of hair follicles in maintaining healthy and luscious locks.

Shaira T

Shaira T

March 05, 2023

The details provided about hair follicles, their structure, and function are really helpful in understanding hair growth and health. I enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing!

Stella D

Stella D

February 07, 2023

It’s always important to stay educated on the science behind our hair health, and this blog does a great job of breaking it down in an easy-to-understand way.

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