Hair Development

Hair development Our hair is one of our most crucial external distinguishing features. It makes us attractive, makes us unmistakable, and adapts perfectly to our personality thanks to countless styling options. At the same time, it also fulfills important tasks: Hair protects our head from cooling, infrared light (heat radiation), and excessive UV radiation. Incidentally, evolutionary scientists believe that hair development gradually regressed over the course of time and that we used to be as hairy all over our bodies as we are on our heads. However, when humans began to wrap themselves in furs to protect themselves from the cold and wet, body hair gradually became superfluous. What has remained is hair development on the head, as we still expose our heads uncovered to sun, wind, heat, cold, and moisture.

Even in ancient times, beautifully groomed hair was considered a status symbol. People used combs made of bone, wood, or bronze, cleaned their scalp and hair with potash and bleached it with an aggressive stain made of butyric acid, sour milk, and lime lye. Later, women in particular turned to milder alternatives: rose water, egg yolk, nettle juice, and beer were considered insider tips for full, shiny hair. Until recently, softeners such as silicones were an integral part of countless hair care products, but fortunately, the trend is now moving back towards more natural ingredients.

 

Hair structure and hair development

Around 95 per cent of our hair consists of keratin, with the remaining five per cent made up of pigments, minerals, water, and lipids. The visible part of the hair that grows out of the skin is known anatomically as the hair shaft, which is around 0.05 to 0.08 millimetres wide. Below this is the hair root, which is anchored in the connective tissue of deeper layers of the skin and is partly responsible for hair development. Only the hair follicles contain living cells. They are encased in a hair root sheath and are surrounded by sensitive nerve cells. These, in turn, ensure that our hair straightens, for example in shock situations or in the cold. An important part of the hair follicle is the hair papilla, which consists of connective tissue that is supplied with blood. The tissue surrounds the hair root and supplies it with important nutrients. The hair papilla also contains cells (melanocytes) that release pigments into the hair and thus determine its color. At the boundary between the hair root and the hair papilla, the root is slightly thickened and looks like a tiny onion. This contains the hair matrix, which forms horn cells, which in turn are hardened by keratin. The greater the number of horn cells produced, the further they push upwards and a new hair is formed.

 

Hair growth and its phases

The first phase of hair development lasts around two to six years. During this growth phase, which varies in length depending on genetic predisposition, the hair root continuously produces the required hair substance so that hair grows around 0.35 millimeters per day and can reach a total length of 25 to 70 centimeters. For a smooth growth phase, it is very important that the hair root is constantly and sufficiently supplied with nutrients. In healthy hair development, around 85 per cent of all hair is in the growth phase. This is followed by a one- to two-week transition phase. The hair root cells temporarily stop cell division and hair production, and the lower end of the hair becomes keratinized. Normally, one to three per cent of all hairs are in the transition phase during hair development. In the subsequent resting phase, the hair remains in the hair root for around one to three months. Then it falls out: perhaps when combing, perhaps when washing, but perhaps also due to the hair growing back directly. If hair development proceeds normally, up to 100 hairs fall out in this way every day. Around 15 per cent of all hair is in the resting phase. After these three phases, hair development starts all over again. However, as this is a very complex process, hair development can be severely disrupted by various factors. These factors can include hormonal influences, stress, and an unhealthy diet. However, blow-drying too hot, regular straightening with a hair straightener, frequent coloring, and perm treatments can also have a negative effect on hair development over time.

 

How to support hair development

If hair development is disturbed by various factors, it is now possible in many cases to provide targeted help, provided there is no disease-related cause. Special formulations with valuable plant extracts (such as millet or soya and wheat germ), trace elements, vitamins, and nutrients tackle the root of the problem. For example, dexpanthenol and the protein building block L-cystine are known to stimulate hair development. If the hair root is nourished with important micronutrients, the cell metabolism improves, and the three phases mentioned run much more smoothly. Hair often appears much fuller and healthier after consistent treatment.

The topic of hair growth is ideal for the production of your cosmetics. Together with Cosmacon, you will develop your product so that it is sure to be a successful start to building your own brand.

 

Hair care products for healthy hair development

The most important part of hair care is a good shampoo. It should be able to cleanse the hair gently and thoroughly, build it up from the roots, and give it suppleness and volume. With special repair shampoos, the hair structure can be strengthened from the inside out so that a damaged hair surface is repaired. Silicones and parabens should not be included. And while a shampoo primarily cleanses the hair, a conditioner closes the open cuticle layer after shampooing so that it is protected from drying out and does not lose moisture. However, a conditioner does not replace a hair treatment or mask. Conditioners and masks are like a balm for damaged hair, giving it an extra portion of care and helping to regenerate it. Styling products such as gels, mousses, hair sprays, and hair lacquers can also be used. For healthy hair development, however, it is also important here that the products are gentle and contain as many natural ingredients as possible.

 

We like to work with these hair development-promoting active ingredients: 

Trade Name	Company	INCI	Comment
AnaGain	Mibelle AG Biochemistry	Pisum Sativum (Pea) Sprout Extract
ORICH-37	DKSH	Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Redensyl	Givaudan Active Beauty	Glycerin, Aqua, Sodium Metabisulfite, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Glycine, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extra
ARP 100	Greentech	Aqua, Alcohol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract
Pilisoft LS 9760	BASF	Aqua, Pentylene Glycol, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract
SpecPed SC-MH16	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Water, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
SpecPed GHK-Cu 1.0%	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycerin, Aqua, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
SpecPed GCu11P	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Copper Tripeptide-1
RootBioTec HW	Mibelle AG Biochemistry	Ocimum Basilicum Hairy Root Culture Extract, Alcohol, Aqua
Anti-hair loss Co-conveying Nano-carrier	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Polyglyceryl-6 Myristate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pyrrolidinyl Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Phytosphingosine, Lecithin, Hydroxylated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Aqua
SpecPed GHK-Cu	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Copper Tripeptide-1
Caffeine Powder	BASF	Caffeine
SpecPed LashLD	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, D-Panthenol, Aqua, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Darkenyl	Givaudan Active Beauty	Glycerin, Water, Acetyl Tyrosine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
PHYTELENE HAIR CARE EGX 232	Greentech	Butylene Glycol, Aqua, Lamium Album Flower Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract
PHYTELENES EG 224 Water Cress	Greentech	Propylene Glycol, Aqua, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf Extract
SpecPed GCu21P	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Gluadin Kera-P LM	BASF	Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Grape Seed Extract 95%	Sabinsa	Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract
PHYTELENE COMPLEX EGX 292 HAIR STRENGTH	Greentech	Butylene Glycol, Aqua, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Sage Extract (Ursolic Acids 75%)	Sabinsa	Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
Ursolic Acid 60%	Sabinsa	Ursolic Acid
SpecKare DPA	Spec-Chem Industry Inc	Panthenol
Cococin Water Soluble	Sabinsa	Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice

 

High-quality hair care products from Cosmacon

Discover the secret of full, shiny hair with Cosmacon’s high-quality hair care products. Our focus is not only on quality but also on innovation. In our research and development department, we rely on the latest findings and raw materials in hair care to create innovative formulas. Whether it’s combating stress-induced hair loss, revitalizing damaged strands, or caring for the scalp, at Cosmacon, we are focused on developing products that are not only effective but also gentle.

 

 

Sources:

Histology, Hair and Follicle.; Brown TM, Krishnamurthy K.2022 May 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022
A Comment on the Science of Hair Aging.; Trüeb RM, Rezende HD, Dias MFRG.Int J Trichology. 2018 Nov-Dec;10(6):245-254

Hair Cosmetics for the Hair Loss Patient.; Dias MFRG, Loures AF, Ekelem C.Indian J Plast Surg. 2021 Dec 27;54(4):507-513.