Hey Ladies! We know how much you care and fret over your hair health. Especially during times like these it becomes difficult to deal with constant hair fall problem and other hair related disorders. Hair shaft related disorders are something that many women suffer from and it plays a big role in determining the look, lustre, volume, density and the overall health of your hair. Read on to find out more about hair shaft disorders and how to cure them.

Hair shaft disorders can be congenital or acquired due to external stress. Any structural anomaly if the hair shaft can be categorized as a hair shaft disorder. Some can be spotted by looking at the physical symptoms that your hair may be showing. Some of them include,

Hair Loss or Alopecia

Frizzy or very course hair

Uncomfortable hair

Fragile hair

Let’s look at some commonly caused hair shaft disorders. This will help us understand how to deal with such a condition and what’s the best way to cure it.

1. Trichorrhexis nodosa

   This is the most commonly found hair shaft disorder. Trichorrhexis nodosa is marked by a weak hair shaft which fractures at different points causing the cortical cells to break. There are uneven spurs noticed from these fractured points on the shaft.

   A congenital disorder, it is commonly found in kids with psychological development conditions. In adults, it may be caused due to overheating, hair straightening excessive exposure to chlorinated water and tight braiding.




2. Pili torti

   This type of hair shaft disorder may be genetic or acquired. It shows obvious weakness of the hair shaft. Described by flattened hair shafts with clusters of narrow twists at irregular intervals, Pili torti is associated with conditions like anorexia nervosa, malnutrition, or other conditions such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus which disorients the natural growth of the hair follicles.




3. Trichothiodystrophy

   This disorder cannot be detected by the naked eye and has to be tested under a microscope. The hair shafts become deficit in Sulphur and result in transverse fractures.

   Trichothiodystrophy is commonly associated with short stature, neurological abnormalities, mental retardation and nail and teeth dystrophy.




4. Monilethrix

   This condition involved air strands that have abnormally thin patches between ‘beads’ or regular size. This condition is also known as beaded hair. It is genetic and ever individual has a 50% chance of passing it on to their child irrespective of their sex. There is also build up of keratin around the area where hair strands have fallen off and may result in a beady appearance of the scalp.




5. Pili multigemini

   Pili multigemini is also known as tufted hair, and as the name suggested it describes hair strands bunched together and multiple hair shafts growing out of the same hair follicle. With microscopic methods one can find out that all strands are surrounded by a single outer root sheath. This is commonly associated with severe forms of folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis.




6. Trichorrhexis invaginate

   This condition is also known as bamboo hair. It is caused by abnormal keratinization. Essentially, this condition occurs when the harder adjacent segments of the hair shaft get fixation on the neighbouring softer segments. This creates ‘ball and socket’ kind of structures that may look like bamboo hair, a typical feature of Netherton Syndrome.




7. Pili annulati

   Pili anulati is also known as ringed hair. This condition may be described as a series of air-filled bubbles along the length of the hair shaft. These become very evident and bright when you see through a reflected light.

After knowing some of the above-mentioned types of hair shaft disorders better you can probably gauge for yourself if you have one of these conditions or not. It is best to visit a dermatologist or a professional for better advice. Although, to know how to avoid these conditions here are a few causes for the same.

Physical forces like, excessive grooming, braiding, making tight ponytails or simply using heat styling tools and hair dryer to often can cause hair shaft issues.

Some chemical causes include perming lotions, straighteners, and dyes.

Making basic changes in your lifestyle that include staying away from such probable causes of hair shaft disorders and at the same time taking great everyday care of your hair and scalp can go a long way in curing and preventing any such disorders from happening. My personal hair care includes routines like shampoo and conditioner every second day with a good anti-hair fall shampoo and condition like Pantene. It has been a personal favourite because of the patented Pro-Vitamin that Pantene has formulated especially for hair fall issues. There really isn’t a better vitamin supplement your hair could get.

What’s more? Open Hair Miracle by Pantene has replaced oil for me in every way possible. It’s a great protectant to apply and leave-in before heat styling your hair if you at all have to. It also protects your delicate tresses from everyday pollution and heat whenever you step out. So, ladies! There hasn’t been a better hair fall solution out there yet. I’d suggest you try it yourself to know the difference and grab every opportunity to get that gorgeous cascade of hair just right!