1 Medulla 2 Cortex 3 Cuticle 4 Epidermis 5 Sebaceous gland 6 Connective tissue sheath 7 Nerve endings 8 Outer root sheath 9 Inner root sheath 10 Matrix 11 Dermal cells 12 Capillary loop 13 Dermal papilla 14 Blood supply 15 Hair bulb 16 Hair root 17 Arrector pili muscle 18 Hair shaft

 The follicle is formed by the lowest layer of the epidermis growing down into the dermis.  The blood supply reaches up into the dermal papilla. This is where the hair receives its nutrients.  The matrix is where the hair cells begin to germinate.  The bulb is the fleshy, moist part of the hair.  The root of the hair is where keratinisation takes place.

 Hair grows in a continuous cycle.  There are three main stages of hair growth: › anagen: the hair is actively growing › catagen: the stage where changes occur › telogen: the stage where the follicle ‘rests’ and no hair is growing.

 Longest growing phase (affects 85% of hair at any one time).  Average growing phase lasts 1 to 6 years.  People with long hair have longer anagen cycle.  People with shorter anagen cycle will never have long hair.

 At the end of the anagen phase, hair growth stops.  This is the catagen phase, lasting roughly 2 weeks.  No new cells are produced in dermal papilla.  Hair follicle shrinks to one sixth of its original length.

 Period of rest for hair follicle and dermal papilla.  Telogen lasts roughly 10 to 12 weeks.  About 10–15% of follicles in telogen at any one time.

 At end of telogen phase, hair re-enters anagen phase.  Follicle lengthens downwards.  Dermal papilla becomes active again.

Structure of the hair

 The cuticle is the outer layer.  It has overlapping scales that make hair waterproof.  The cuticle determines the condition of the hair.  If the scales are neatly closed the hair will be smooth and shiny and in good health.  If the cuticle has been damaged the hair will be vulnerable to water, chemicals, pollution, etc.

 The overlapping scales of the cuticle protect the cortex inside.  The cortex is where melanin is stored, which determines hair colour.  The cortex determines thickness, elasticity and strength.  It is not yet known why hair loses its colour as we get older.

 The medulla is the inner layer of the hair.  The medulla is not always present in every hair and is intermittent when it is present.  The medulla allows light to reflect, which makes the hair shiny.

 There are three types of hair: › lanugo › vellus › terminal.

 Lanugo is the hair that develops on an unborn baby.  It begins to grow about three months after the baby’s conception.  The hairs are fine and soft and they grow all over the baby’s body.  They all grow at the same rate, so the hairs are the same length.  Some prematurely born babies are still covered with these downy hairs. Normally they are shed about four weeks before the baby is due to be born and replaced with vellus hair.

 Vellus hairs are short hairs.  They are found nearly all over the body.  They are only a centimetre or two long.  They contain little or no pigment.  The follicles that produce them do not have sebaceous glands.

 This is the hair on your scalp, eyebrows, lashes, underarm and pubic areas.  These hairs grow from deep follicles.  They are strong hairs and contain pigment.  They can be straight, curly or wavy.  They protect vulnerable areas underneath.

 There are a number of hair disorders, including: › alopecia › hypertrichosis › hirsutism.

 Alopecia is a disorder where the hair is lost. There may be several reasons why this occurs: › long-term chronic stress › shock and sudden extreme stress › physical trauma › local skin injury › genetic predisposition › viral/bacterial infection › pregnancy/hormones › allergies › chemicals › seasonal changes.

 Hypertrichosis is hair growth over and above what is normally expected when comparing the individual to others of similar age and sex.  Hair can develop all over the body or, more likely, in a small patch.

 Hirsutism is excess terminal hair growth in women, with a male distribution pattern.  The excess hair growth is limited to one or more areas including the moustache, beard and chest.  Hirsutism is usually associated with hormones.

 Severe varicose veins will contra-indicate treatment  Diabetes needs a GP referral due to the skin is slower to heal, and the client may experience loss of sensation to heat.  Sunburn  Thin fragile skin  Medications such as steroids, that thin the skin.  Restrictive contra indications – moles (could stimulate cancerous cells) area should be covered with Vaseline or plaster, skin tags, self tan.

 A normal reaction to waxing is a spotty red rash that can last up to 24 hours.  This is called a histamine reaction. Its the bodys way of showing that a reaction is taking place. Clients must be made aware that this will occur as it can look quite scary.  If the client skin reacts severely to the treatment all product must be removed and a cold compress placed over the area.

 Name the layers of the hair.  Cuticle, cortex and medulla.  What are the three main stages of hair growth?  Anagen, catagen and telogen  Varicose veins will need GP referral because ?  Waxing could cause further damage  Diabetes needs medical referral and note from G.P why?  Skin is slower to heal.  A client has a waxing treatment booked they have sunburn what do you do?  Come back when the area has healed  Histamine is produced when?  An allergic reaction has taken place