With age, or after periods of stress, the production of natural pigments may be reduced but the hair's already on the head will not be affected, but the new ones will. As hair fall out and are replaced the proportion that have the original pigmentation diminishes and the hair's overall colour changes. It may become lighter. If no pigment is produced at all, then the new hair will be white. The proportion of white hair among the naturally coloured ones causes the hair to appear grey.

It is not uncommon for young people to exhibit some grey hair - this does not necessarily mean that they will go grey or completely white, at an early age.

Bleaching is a process of making the hair colour lighter. The colour pigment melanin is the first to be acted upon. This affects the black and brown colouring. More difficult to alter is pheomelanin, which gives red and yellow colouring. Just how light you can bleach hair is determined by the proportions of the colour pigments present in the hair.

Too much bleaching will destroy the hair's structure. Even if the hair doesn't actually break, it can become spongy, porous on patchy in colour. Further chemical processing - colouring, toning, perming or general hair styling-in then becomes very difficult. When wet over bleached hair stretches like chewing gum and the effects of blow drying or styling cannot last. If hair even reaches this state, it needs to be treated very gently and conditioned; all harsh processes must be avoided

Some causes of over bleaching :

• The hydrogen peroxide solution was too strong.
• Processing was too long
• Bleach was used on previously bleached hair.
• The hair was in a very poor condition on the outset.
• The hair was over exposed to sun, wind, sea or chlorinated water

Alopecia - Hair loss or baldness. There are several distinct patterns or types :

a) Alopecia areata - is baldness in circular areas. It is common on the scalp.
b) Alopecia totalis - is complete loss of hair from the scalp on alopecia capitis, complete baldness of the head.
c) Alopecia universalis - is complete baldness of the body.
d) Male pattern alopecia - is most common form of hair loss. Their recedes at the temples. The rate of progression varies individually.
e) Premature alopecia - is hair loss, thinning and baldness in the early years of men.
f) Alopecia Cicatrical - is the term given to the loss of hair follides and subsequent hair growth due to skin scarring.
g) Alopecia traction - is the loss of hair due to excessive pulling, e.g. plucking, tonging, brushing and hair straightening.

Causes - The hair follicles are unable to produce new hair to replace the old ones. This may be attributed to the malfunction of hair growth. Other factors include general health, diet, age, sex, heredity, climate, hormone distribution, stress and the effects of a variety of physical and chemical treatments.

Symptoms - These vary according to the type of alopecia exhibited, but may manifest as diffuse thinning hair, small or large areas of hair loss.

Treatments - There are a variety of treatments prescribed by doctors, dermatologists and hair dressers, with varying effectiveness. There is no known cure for baldness on alopecia as yet, with the exception of traction alopecia which may be self inflicted or due to physical ill-treatment.

Cause - over production of skin cells due to physical or chemical irritants and possibly aggravated by fungal infection.

Symptoms - Small, very fine, white, loose scales of skin. These may irritate the scalp to varying degrees. If the scales stick to the skin, small patches of dry skin result. This may cause inflammation. If the scales become moist and greasy, they stick to the skin and the condition known as scurf results.

Treatment - By various anti-dandruff medicines and shampoos. Hot oil treatments. The condition is often treated at home. Refer serious cases to a doctor or trichologist.

Seborrhoea is excessive greasiness of the hair and skin.

Causes - Over production of sebum, which may be due to chemical or physical irritants eg. over stimulation by combing, brushing or massage. Use of greasy or oily products adds to the
problem.

Symptoms - Very greasy, lank hair and greasy skin, which makes grooming of the hair difficult.

Treatment - Regular washing with suitable shampoos; reduce physical or chemical stimulation; application of special anti grease treatments. Serious conditions should be referred to a doctor.

Acne - A disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Cause - Increased sebum and other matter blocks the hair follicle.

Symptoms - Raised spots or bumps in the skin, commonly on the face and forehead; soreness, irritation and inflammation; severe cases produce cysts and scarring.

Treatment - By a doctor.

Fragilitas Crinium otherwise known as split ends are due to fragile, poorly conditioned hair.

Cause - Harsh physical or chemical treatments. Effects of weather (sun, wind & frost) Extreme climate, exposure to sea (salt & sand) and effects of chlorine in swimming pools.

Symptoms - Dry, splitting hair ends, the hair may be very coarse and rough.

Treatments - cutting the hair ends off. Conditioning, application of conditioners and re-structurants

The first effective technique of permanent hair removal invented was electrolysis. The electrolysis treatment, was first devised by ophthalmologist Charles E. Michel of Missouri in 1875. He used a galvanic or direct current of electricity. In 1924 Dr. H. Brodier of Paris developed thermolysis, a method of hair removal using high frequency on alternating current.

IIn 1945, Henri St. Pierre and Arthur Hinkel successfully blended galvanic current with low-intensity high-frequency shortwave current running simultaneously through a single needle. It soon became popular because it was a much faster technique. 

The shortwave method also known as the thermolysis method, is the quickest of permanent hair removal methods and is most generally used. In fact, it is the over whelming choice of electrologists today.

Waxing and tweezing may cause the hair to grow stronger because it stimulates the circulation and increases the blood supply to the hair follicle.

Shaving does not cause the hair to grow thicker or stronger; it only seems that way because the razor blunts the hair ends and makes them feel stiff.

The electronic tweezer is not a method of permanent hair removal. Further, the process of cleaning area of hair by this method is slow. Even though it is claimed that the papilla is dehydrated and eventually destroyed by transmitting radio frequency energy down the hair shaft into the follicle area.

A fringe of loose skin left around the nail after a manicure is caused by trimming the cuticle closer than necessary and then rolling back the epidermis. To prevent the occurrence of such loose skin, trim the cuticle only enough to allow a tiny margin of cuticle to remain.

Call us growth at the fingertips can be softened by the application of creams and lotions and by removing the constant pressure that is causing it. Gentle rubbing with pumic powder is also helpful to start the removing process.

Stains on fingernails may be bleached with prepared nail bleach or peroxide. Slightly damp pumic powder also may be applied and the nails buffed to help remove stains.

Soak nails in an approved solvent specified by the manufacturer or your manicurist, use orange wood stick and gently push off softened acrylic nails. Repeat until off acrylic has been removed. Do not pry off acrylic with nippers, as this will damage natural nail plate.

Ringworm of the foot is athlete's foot. It may also exits, and in acute conditions, deep, itchy, colourless blisters appear. These appear singly, in groups and sometimes on only are foot. They spread over the sole and between the toes, perhaps involving the nail fold and infecting the nail. When the blisters rupture, the skin becomes red and oozes. The lesions dry as they heal. Fungus infections of the feet is likely to become chronic.

Blue nails can be caused by poor blood circulation or a heart disorder. However a client with this condition may receive a regular pedicure and manicure.

Ingrown nails can affect either the finger or toe. In this condition, the nail grows into the sides of the flesh and can cause an infection. Filing the nails too much in the corners and failing to correct hand nails are often responsible for ingrown nails. Ill fitting shoes can also cause ingrown nails.

Hangnail is condition in which a cuticle splits around the nail. Dryness of the cuticle, cutting off too much cuticle or carelessness in removing the cuticle can result in hangnails. You should take proper nail care. Hot oil manicures will aid in correcting such a condition. If not properly cared for, a hangnail can become infected.

Massage is used to exercise facial muscles, maintain muscle tone, and stimulate circulation. Cosmetologists give massages to their clients to help them keep their skin healthy and muscles firm.

Do not get a massage done if you have high blood pressure, a heart condition or had a stroke. Massage increases circulation and may be harmful to you. You should first consult a physician.

1) Cleaning the skin
2) Increasing circulation
3) Activating glandular activity
4) Relaxing the nerves.
5) Maintaining muscle tone
6) Strengthening weak muscle tissue.
7) Correcting certain skin disorders.
8) Helping prevent the formation of wrinkles and ageing lines.
9) Softening and improving skin texture and complexion.
10) Keeps you looking younger, adding to the clients confidence.

White heads (milia) is a common skin disorder, caused by the formation of sebaceous matter within or under the skin. It usually occurs in skin of fine texture. The surface opening of the skin may be so small that the sebum cannot pass out. As a result, it collects under the surface of the skin in small, round, hardened masses that resemble a small grain of sand.