The Hair Cycle
Hair is the skin’s first physical barrier against toxins and pollutants in the environment. It is structured as follows:
1. Medulla- core (main structure)
2. Cortex- inner layer (where pigmentation lies)
3. Cuticle- external layer (consists of scales)
A dog or cats follicles are arranged in groups consisting of primary hairs surrounded by secondary hairs. The density of hair depends on the breed and age of the animal. The softer the hair, the more dense it is. The movement of the hair is controlled by the pilipherous muscle. Hair color and length are genetically predetermined. Hair does not last forever nor does it fall out at the same time. Shedding starts at the rear of the animal and moves towards the front. Hair loss is cyclical and consists of 3 phases. They are as follows:
Anagen Phase: a period of growth for the hair and its follicle, which grows in the dermis. It lasts about 130 days in the average pet and up to 18 months in the Afghan Hound.
Catagen Phase: a resting phase. The growth stops and the follicle shrinks.
Telogen Phase: The follicle shrinks all the way to the orifice of the sebaceous gland. The base of the hair shrinks to a cone shape and the hair falls out. Another hair begins to grow, starting with Anagen and growing in the same follicle as its predecessor.
It is exceptionally important to know this cycle in order to understand the importance of proper intervals between grooms (including regular brushing and de-shedding ).
Factors that may affect hair growth:
Daylight and Temperature changes
Hormonal System Imbalance (endocrine function)
Stress (releases Cortisol which in turn slows hair growth)
Skin and It’s Function
Epidermis: 1st layer
Formed of keratinized cells. Protective physical and chemical barrier.
Dermis: 2nd layer
Responsible for flexibility, pigmentation, structure, and sensory perception.
Panniculus: 3rd layer
Also known as, subcutaneous fat. Regulates body temperature, prevents disaster to body.
The skin is the body’s protective barrier. Without it life would be impossible. This protection works on physical, chemical and microbiological levels.
The skin is responsible for exchanges through secretions. The sweat gland and sebaceous gland produce sweat and sebum. Together they form a protective fluid or “mantle” (PH balance of 6.5 to 7) on the surface of the skin and hair.
The skin has a role in metabolism. This helps with production of vitamin D, pigmentation, and regulation of body temperature.
The skin helps the body perceive changes in temperature, pressure, pain and surface contact.
Skin renews itself on a 21 day cycle. This is the reason we recommend scheduling grooms at a 3 to four week interval.
Good health starts with hugs, diet, clean environment, exercise, and playtime. Proper care on the inside shows on the outside. Taking care of the skin is enormously important!! A Healthy animal has healthy skin, healthy skin produces a beautiful coat.
Short Haired Dogs
Produce 30% more sebum (grease) to protect their skin.
This means they have a larger layer of grease on their epidermis and require a better degreasing shampoo.
Once that layer of grease is removed from the epidermis, we must replenish the skin so as to avoid an over-production of sebum.
Limone Shampoo and Balsam are formulated for the short-coated animal.
Medium Haired Dogs
These dogs have 3 types of hair. The hair muscle is weaker and does not offer as much movement as the short haired dog. The production of sebum is much less therefore the protective layer (grease layer on the epidermis) is not as large. It should be noted that when a medium haired dog is shaved down, the skin’s first protective barrier (the hair) is removed leaving the animal defenseless against external damage.
Also, since the medium haired dog has 3 types of hair, shaving can cause an excess of dead roots to remain in the follicle and this can inhibit growth or cause bacteria to fester.
Banana Shampoo and Banana Balsam are formulated for the needs of the medium or natural coated animal.
Long Haired Dogs
The long haired breeds are comprised mostly of secondary hair (80%) and have a weak pilipherous muscle.
In order to have healthy hair, the cuticle of the hair must remain hydrated.
Once a hair is stripped of its moisture it becomes dry and the scales of the cuticle lift creating a Christmas tree-like effect. These raised cuticles get caught and attach themselves to other hairs causing tangles and mats.
For these coats, we recommend a shampoo and conditioner with collagen. Vegetable collagen helps bring grease from the lipid layer of the dermis to the follicle.
Mela Verde Shampoo and Balsam are formulated for the long-coated animal.
Pek Conditioner (Detangler, 63% Collagen from seaweed)
Dogs and Cats fall into one of three categories. ( A much abbreviated list.)
Short Coat
Basenji, Beagle, Bulldog (American, English, French), Boxer, Dalmatian, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Dane, Hounds (all hounds) , Mastiffs (Bull, Neopolitan, Tibetan, Spanish, Argentinian), Pit Bull, Pug, Pinscher (Doberman, Miniature, German, …) , Short Haired Pointers , Short Haired Chihuahua, Appenzeller, Smooth Coated Terriers (Jack Russell or Parson Terrier, Fox, Bull, Boston, etc.) , Smooth Coated Daschunds, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Shar-pei, Viszla, Weimaraner, Whippet.
Medium Coat
Alaskan Malamute, Airedale Terrier, Australian cattle dog, American Eskimo , Bernese Mountain Dog, Bouvier de Flandres, Cairn Terrier , Corgi, Chihuahua (long haired), Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chow Chow, Collie (Smooth and Rough), Daschund (long haired), English Setter , Golden Retriever , Great Pyrenees, Griffon, Husky, Irish Wolfhound, Keeshond, Japanese Chin , Labrador Retriever , Leonberger, Long Coated Chihuahua, Newfoundland, Papillon and all Cats.
Long Coat
Bearded Collie, Bergamasco, Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Komondor, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Old English Sheep Dog, Pekingese, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Shih-Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier