Hair Growth Promotion Skills for Hair Dressers and Nutrition Requirements for Hair Growth of Females in Abia State, Nigeria

: The study focuses on hair growth promotion skills for hair dressers and nutrition requirements for hair growth of females in Umunneochi local government area (LGA) of Abia State. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the practices that promote human hair growth, assess the importance of human hair growth, determine the effect of poor nutrition on hair and identify the skills of hairdressers to promote hair growth. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Population for the study was 2,800. Sample for the study was 200 using a multistage sampling techniques involving simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using mean. The result of the study examined six practices that promote human hair growth, six importance of human hair, eight effects of poor nutrition on hair and eleven hairdressers’ skills were identified. It was suggested that adolescents and mothers should be encouraged to eat recommended diets to suit their age; they should maintain a good hairdresser; and they should consult a dermatologist at regular intervals and follow their advice.


Introduction
Hair is one of the greatest assets of an individual.Jackson (2014) views hair of human as a marvelous tool which an individual can express her sexuality and how she feels about herself.In fact, many see it as the most noticeable feminine structure.Hair is often a physical expression one's sense of self, of a desire to present oneself to and amongst a community, of social status and roles, and of

Statement of Problem
It is something of note that if hair is not properly maintained it provokes anxiety in any one when it starts thinning, falling and disappearing (Ako, 2018).Boulos et al. (2013) believes that hair has problems if it is not properly taken care of.In their own view, some common problems of the hair such as falling hair will result.Rodney (2016) adds hair damages, severe scalp infection or hair disease.All these hair diseases or problems when chronic, lead to irreversible hair loss.

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study was to determine Hair growth promotion skills for hairdressers and nutrition requirement for growth for females in Umunneochi LGA, Abia State.Specifically, the study; (a) Examined the practices that promote human hair growth.(b) Access the importance of human hair.(c) Determine the effect of poor nutrition on the hair.(d) Identify the skills for hairdressers to promote growth.

Research Questions
The following research questions guided the study: (a) What are the practices that promote human hair growth?(b) What are the importance of human hair?(c) What are the effects of poor nutrition on the hair?(d) What are the skills for hairdressers?

Design for the Study
The study adopted a survey research design.It sought information from females, their opinion and attitudes.This was to collect relevant information on analysis of the selected information for promoting human hair growth among females through good nutrition maintenance.It was calculated from answers elicited from respondents through questions.

Ethics Statement
The ethical clearance for this research was received from the College of Education, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.All respondents gave their informed consent before completing the questionnaire.

Area of the Study
The study was carried out among females in Umunneochi LGA which comprises of Nneato, Isuochi and Umuchieze.It remained a study area since relevant foods.It is one of the food baskets in the south-East.It has a lot to eat that can nourish the body or hair.

Population and Sample
The population for the study was made up of two groups of people such as adolescents and mothers from the two geo-political zones (Nneato and Isuochi).An estimated population of 1500 adolescents and 1300 mothers were used for the study summing up to 2,800 in number.Multistage random sampling technique was employed in the selection of adolescents (12-18 years) and mothers 35-40 years for the study.Two geopolitical zones namely Nneato and Isuochi were randomly selected in the first stage form among the three geo-political zones.The two geo-political zones have 15 wards and 16 wards respectively.In the second wards and 16 wards respectively.From each of the ward, participants were selected randomly to arrive at a sample size of 200.

Instrument for Data Collection
The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire.The instrument was constructed using a four-point Likert scale to guide the responses.The questionnaire items were generated based on the information gathered from review of related literature.It contained 200 questions and was face validated by experts in related field, t-test reliability was used to test the reliability of the instrument.

Data Collection Technique
A total of 200 copies were distributed by hand to subjects who made up the sample.After administration, 200 were completed, duly filled and retrieved directly from respondents.

Data Analysis Technique
The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation.Any item that had a mean score of 2.50 and above was interpreted as 'agree' items whose mean fell below 2.50 were considered as "disagree".Apply a good hair cream 3.55 3.66

Agree XI = Mean of female adolescents between the ages of 12-18 years X2 = Mean of mothers (40-50) Xg = grand Mean
In Table 1, it was revealed that all the adolescents and mothers agreed to all the items listed.All the items had mean ratings above 3.50.This implies that all these items listed were reflective on promoting human hair growth.

= Mean of female adolescents between the ages of 12-18 years X2 = Mean of mothers (40-50) Xg = grand Mean
In Table 2, it was revealed that the adolescents between 12-18 years and mothers agreed to all the items listed.Mean responses of the respondents showed that all the items had mean scores above 2.50 which was the criterion level of acceptance.This means that the importance of hair were identified by these Adolescents and mothers.3 reveals the effect of poor nutrition on the hair of Adolescents and mothers.Mean responses on the respondents showed that all the items had a mean raring above 2.50 except item four.This means that the items on the effect of poor nutrition were identified.

XI = Mean of female adolescents between the ages of 12-18 years X2 = Mean of mothers (40-50) Xg = grand Mean
Table 4 presents the mean responses of adolescents and mothers on hairdressers skill related.A look at the table shows that selecting the right hair texture and fix suitable hair attachment has the highest grand mean score of 3.94.This indicates that both respondents are in agreement.As can be seen from the table, all the items had mean ratings above the cutoff point of 2.50.The summary of the results are as follows: (a) Six items were agreed by the adolescent and mothers in promoting healthy hair.(b) Six items were equally agreed on the importance of human hair.
(c) There are eight effects of poor nutrition on human hair.Dandruff was not agreed upon as effect of poor nutrition on human hair.Due to lipid loss, it makes hair dull, rough and neglected and not the effect of poor nutrition.(d) Furthermore, eleven items are highly agreed upon by the respondents as hair dressers skills.
One of them is disagreed and it is determine various hair styles.According to Jablonski (2013) these hair styling can groom one's hair with the latest hair styles.The result of the study reveals six items that promote human hair growth.To promote human hair growth the following should be taken into consideration which includes; take plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintain restful sleep, live a healthy life style, apply a good hair cream.More so, the result of the study revealed the six items that were regarded as the importance of human hair which add height, indicate taste, shows the state of health, and shows personality of an individual.Body heat is lost through the scalp and wearing hair can help reduce these loss, particularly in very cold spells.Hair is also kept to show beauty.This agrees with Steven, (2017) who said that people that really appear fashionable and beautiful endeavor to acquire only hair style that match them.Also, any outgoing person may over stricken hairstyle.David (2014) was of the opinion that people wear hairstyle to show class distinction and lifestyle.The hair itself reveals state of health due to lack of care.This is in agreement with Winden (2015) who reveals that if hair is not properly taken care of, a number of follicles diminish with age.When follicles are imprisoned in this way, hair production is stopped, hair density is reduced and remaining hair is strangled and compressed by the skin tension.Experts view that hair becomes thin and deformed.
Also, the result revealed 9 items in the effect of poor nutrition on the hair.These are thinning, falling, disappearing, dry hair.The findings were in conformity with Salako (2019) who said that poor nutrition result on falling hair and withered hair, among others.They are the hair diseases inherent due to poor nutrition guidelines.The findings agreed with Rodney (2016), who reasoned that for hair damages, severe scalp infection or hair loss diseases, it is recommended to use good quality shampoos that have enough moisturizing and nourishment properties.Ability to know the structure of the hair the importance of hair and the effect of poor nutrition on the hair makes one to know about the hair and what it takes to maintain it.Proper diet and healthy lifestyle coupled with right hair care products will result in lustrous hair.Further study shows hair dressers related skills.
The result revealed eleven out of twelve items discussed.Determine various hair styles was rejected for growth.This is because hair styling helps to create temporary changes in the hair volume and fibre.Ability to known the details of hair styling can be one of the best parts of any beauty regime.To throw more light, Jablonski (2013) said that these hair were divided into different zones and that these hair started by the down growth of thickened cells of the epidermis into the underlying dermis and connective tissue.Hair grow because of the continued division of these "matrix" cells.The scalp alone is covered with up to two million hairs growing about 0.3mm a day.Boulos et al. (2013) informed that the knowledge about the hair will help to guide on how to keep the hair shiny and healthy.Leena (2017) was of the opinion that the knowledge will help to guide what care to give to the hair to make it healthy.The findings were in agreement with Leena (2017) who stated that the method of acquiring skills and knowledge are through imitation, repetition and active participation of the skills.This agreed with Salako (2019) who complain that short, full styles that emphasize the upper face or styles with too much height at the crown should be avoided.It is hoped that if these skills are utilized, they will stand out stylist the labour market and attract economy.

Conclusion
Females should endeavour to maintain their hair.It is one of the assets of an individual.Many people use it as a form of self-expression.To maintain the hair, a healthy supply of fruits and vegetables, whole grain and foods rich in calcium and protein are not only appealing but also highly nutritious.Take plenty of water.Alcohol should be among the first things to limit in one's diet.Otherwise, hair thinning, falling, disappearing, hair damages, irreversible hair loss and severe scalp infection will result if hair is not maintained.The importance of human hair cannot be overemphasized.It beautifies one, shows the state of health.Also, ability to determine hair relaxer, fix suitable hair attachment are considered as hair dressers skills.Taking care of the hair restores colour, increases hair density, regains elasticity of the scalp and increases self-confidence of people.From the finding of the study it is therefore recommended that adolescents and mothers should always eat recommended diets to suit their age, they should maintain a good hairdresser and consult a dermatologist at regular intervals and keep his advice.

Table 1 :
Mean of the responses of Adolescents and Mothers on practices that promote human hair growth.

Table 2 :
Mean ratings on the importance of human hair by Adolescents and mothers

Table 3 :
Mean ratings on the effect of poor nutrition on the hair S

Table 4 :
Mean rating on skills for hairdressers to enhance growth S