Simple Hair Test to Determine the Life of One’s Hair

Mom wished she had known about our hair cycle; especially before she turned 40. She never thought she would have to deal with hair loss, the same as what happened to Grandma. Grandma had a large bald spot on the left side of her head. Eventually, Grandma realized that her loss of hair had to do with the chemicals she used to cover up her gray hair and so she decided to let nature take its course. Grandma’s hair went from gray to a snowy white. Mom should have known to take precautions when it came to using a hair care product on one’s hair. But, then again, research was not available at that time about the toxic chemicals used in hair care products.

Before the age of 40, Mom dealt with stress as a mother of three, a Navy wife, and as a classroom teacher. In addition, Mom had facial surgery to remove a tumor close to her left eye. She had been told they might have to remove her eye. Mom was fortunate. She woke up from surgery seeing through both eyes. After having surgery, Mom really noticed some hair loss and assumed it would grow back, but it never did.

As a 60-year-old, Mom missed 20 years and she can’t get that time back. Time, in which, she might have prevented the hair she had lost. Well, here’s what Mom discovered about our hair cycle. There are two major phases our hair goes through; the anagen and the telogen. During the anagen phase, the hair is actively growing. As our hair matures, it enters into a resting stage, the telogen phase. Then the hair bulb migrates outward and eventually is sloughed off. It is during this migratory phase that the stage is set for new hair to come in after the original hair is lost. Age, various diseases, and a wide variety of nutritional and hormonal factors influence the duration of our hair cycle.

Unfortunately, hair loss is a normal part of the aging process which usually begins by age 40. The rate of hair growth begins to slow down and new hairs are not replaced as quickly as old ones are lost. There is a hair pull test one can do to determine if one’s hair is more into the telogen phase than the anagen phase. This test is very simple for all one needs to do it take a few strands between the thumb and forefinger and pull gently. Hairs in the anagen phase remained rooted in place, while hairs in the telogen phase come out easily.

It’s important to know approximately how many hairs were pulled and the number that came out can indicate the percentage of hair follicles in a telogen state. For example, if 20 hairs were pulled and 2 came out, then the frequency of telogen hair follicles is 10 percent. As a rough guide, a 10 percent telogen frequency is excellent, up to 25 percent is typical, and over 35 percent is problematic.

Several months ago before Mom started using MONAT’s hair care products, especially its nutritional supplement for natural hair care growth, strands of her hair were easy to pull out. But, not now. After Mom completed this hair pull test, not one strand fell out. Her hair strands are stronger and have a different texture.

Well, I’m glad I’m starting early when it comes to my hair. It will be awhile before I tu
40 and I certainly don’t want to experience hair loss like Mom! So, I’m thankful for MONAT’s hair care products and supplements.