What is Keratin

Hair fall is a problem that insinuates the lives of many all around the world. While understanding the reasons leading to hair fall is important, there are several other factors too which need thorough understanding in order to understand the functioning and factions of hair and hair problems.

Hair and Keratin

Let us first start with understanding composition of hair. Hair is comprised of keratin, which is a protein that comprises the composition of the epidermal layer of the skin, nails, horns and hoofs in animals and the hair. Basically, a combination of various amino acids results in the formation of keratin. Now depending on the amino acids which combine leading to keratin formation, the texture of keratin can be determined. Thus, some keratin are hard and inflexible like in hoofs and nails, while some are soft in nature like skin, hair etc.

As we all know, hair and nails are in actuality dead cells. While the statement is partially true, the whole truth is that these dead cells we see are the dead keratin cells, which outgrow as new cells push them onwards from underneath the skin. Each day, our skin sheds thousands of these keratin cells. The process of shedding can be further enhanced in case of any scalp diseases like psoriasis, while any damage to the keratin fibers might result in flaky nails, hair and scalp. These dead cells forming the upper layers can actually serve for insulating purposes, saving the new and delicate keratin cells from any damage.

It is usually seen that when the keratin fibers are being pushed at length, they tend to loose their health and thus tend to become brittle and weak in nature. It is precisely for this reason that hair dressers advice getting your hair trimmed every once in a while, especially amongst those featuring long hair, in order to avoid weak hair and split ends.

Keratin hair treatments

These days there are number of treatments coming out in the market for treating hair. One that is gaining extreme applause is the one rendering curly hair permanently straight, until they outgrow. This permanent hair straightening method involves using of certain chemical (amino compound), which infiltrates within the hair, reaching out to the keratin bonds (which decide the type of hair) and opening these keratin bonds. These bonds are then reorganized using an oxidizing agent, into the shape the client wants; in this case it being straight.

Another treatment, which has been in news lately, happens to be of Brazilian origin. This treatment involves covering the hair with another layer of keratin, which brings on the shine and volume to the hair. This treatment is good for frizzy hair types.

Beside these, there are several medications, shampoos and conditioners which are keratin based, focusing on developing of more keratin in the hair roots. This results in the thickening of hair, emboldening the insulating purpose of the dead keratin cells, hence preserving the new cells to the fullest. This reduces the hair fall and tends towards better hair growth.

Keratin related hair loss problems

Many researches have been performed in order to check for the relation between keratin and hair fall. As mentioned earlier, any damage to the outer layer of keratin results in damage to the new keratin cells, thus showcasing in poor hair quality, which fall off early in the end. Another relation between keratin and hair fall as discovered by the scientists is that there are several types of keratin, which form the hair. Which keratin forms hair in an individual, is decided by the genes of the person. The absence of a particular keratin gene (keratin type 17, gene called K17) leads to the condition of hair fall amongst individuals. Once identified this as a problem, the problem of hair fall can be treated by undergoing gene therapy and inducing K17 into the genetic structure of your body.

Conclusion

Keratin being the very basis of the formation of hair is extremely important when considering hair loss and treatments. Apart from improving the quality of hair, keratin and keratin-based products will definitely help boosting the hair growth on your scalp.