Hair isn’t alive, but its shape and texture have a lot to do with personality. Hair is made of a protein called keratin, which also gives nails and skin their strength.
A strand of hair feels smooth when you run your fingers along it from the roots down to the tip. Each strand gets nutrients from tiny blood vessels that surround the hair follicle. Click the Hairicc to learn more.
Hair grows from follicles, which are tiny pockets in the skin that produce hair cells. Each hair follicle has its own distinct shape and size, determining the width, texture and length of your hair. A person’s body has about 5 million hair follicles, which are most concentrated on the scalp and give it its distinctive color, texture and strength.
A strand of hair starts at the bottom of a follicle, called a papilla (puh-PILL-uh). As blood vessels nourish the root of a hair, protein cells multiply and create a hair cell that eventually hardens. The hardening process is called keratinization (kair-eh-tih-nIZ-uh).
As the hair cell moves up through the follicle, it passes an oil gland, which produces a natural oil that helps keep your hair and skin healthy. As the hair cell becomes longer, it pushes out of the follicle and up through your skin’s surface. The follicle shuts down the production of cells and goes into a resting phase, which is known as the catagen (kah-TEEN-uhg) or transitional phase. This lasts about a month. At the end of the resting phase, the hair cell is shed and a new, growing hair cell begins its cycle.
The outermost layer of a hair is called the cuticle. It is made of the hard, protective protein keratin and it protects the two softer inner layers, called the cortex and medulla.
The proteins in a hair are unique to your body, which is why hair’s composition makes it useful for law enforcement agencies as well as scientists in their work on fingerprints and DNA. Hair’s proteins are also a key component of its strength and flexibility. Another cool fact about hair: it can grow back, even if you pull it out. That’s why it’s not a big deal when you accidentally pull out a clump of your own hair and find that it has a little ball on the end! That is because your hair has a follicle attached, which means it’s going to grow right back. (Although if you do it very frequently, the hair follicle could start to shrink and stop producing new strands.)
Hair Types
Hair can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Often, we classify them according to the length of the strand, but there are also many other variables that play into how your hair looks. Each of these factors has a different effect on your hair’s texture and porosity. Knowing your hair type can help you choose the right styling products and care routine to best bring out its beauty.
Your hair type and texture are determined by the diameter of each individual strand. Fine hair has the smallest diameter while coarse hair has the largest. Medium hair has a texture that falls in between these two extremes and tends to feel like a sewing thread when combed through.
The hair types are broken down into further categories based on the degree of curly, wavy or coily your hair has. The categories are:
Straight hair (type 1): Straight hair has the most sheen and is the easiest to style, but it is prone to oiliness. It requires regular washing with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser and volumizing hair products to keep it full and light.
Wavy hair (type 2): The sheen of wavy hair is in between straight and curly, but it can be easier to frizz than straight hair. The wavy hair types can be further divided into the following subtypes:
Curly hair (type 3 or 4). Curly hair is characterized by tight, corkscrew-like curls that range in size from a straw to a pencil. This hair type needs a lot of moisture to maintain its hydration and shine, so look for nourishing shampoos and conditioners that contain vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial to your locks.
Coarse hair (type 5 or 6). Coarse hair is thicker and stronger than any other hair type, but it can be difficult to style because of its resistance to heat. It requires a hydrating shampoo and conditioning treatments that are high in protein to keep it strong and manageable.
Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. There are a few different methods to determine your hair’s porosity, but the general rule of thumb is that the more damaged your hair is, the higher your porosity will be. To test your hair’s porosity, comb through it with a wide-tooth comb to see how easily tangles form.
Hair Color
Hair coloring involves the application of artificial color pigments to the hair. There are four types of hair dye: temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent and permanent. Hair dyes contain two main chemicals: primary intermediates and coupler compounds. Various combinations of these chemical compounds create a wide variety of hair color shades. The primary intermediates are aromatic para compounds such as 1,4-diaminobenzene or 4-aminophenol, and the couplers are meta-substituted derivatives of aniline.
Your natural hair color is determined by the ratio and amount of a protein called melanin in your hair. An abundance of one type of melanin (eumelanin) gives hair shades such as brown to black, while an abundance of another (pheomelanin) results in golden blond or reddish hues. An absence of melanin leads to white or gray hair.
To determine what shade of hair color will work best for you, take into account your skin tone and undertones. Cool undertones typically pair well with ash blonde or cool brown shades, while warm undertones look best with golden or reddish colors. Also, be sure to take into account the color of your veins; blue or purple veins typically indicate cool undertones and green or olive veins usually indicate warm undertones.
If you’re planning to color your hair, consult with a professional stylist to ensure that you select the best shade to complement your complexion. It’s a good idea to bring swatches of different hues with you to your appointment, and try them on in different lighting. This will help you get a true sense of how the shade looks, and make any necessary changes.
Once you’ve chosen a hair color, be sure to maintain it by using color-safe shampoo and conditioner, avoiding heat-styling tools that can fade the dye, and scheduling regular touch-ups to address roots. Keeping your hair in excellent condition is essential, as it will help the color last longer.
When applying a new hair color, always perform a patch test to identify any potential allergic reactions before proceeding. Apply a small amount of the dye to a small area of skin behind your ear or on the inside of your elbow. Wait 24 hours and check for any signs of irritation or sensitivity. If you experience any discomfort or irritation, do not continue the process and visit a dermatologist for further evaluation.
Hairstyles
Hair style or coiffure refers to the styling of the hair. It is usually done to enhance a person’s appearance, although fashion and cultural considerations may also be influencing factors. The earliest known depiction of hair styling is a picture from around 30,000 years ago showing a woman wearing her hair in two braids and a plait at the back of her head. A variety of hairstyles have been in vogue throughout the centuries, with some trends coming and going. It is possible to change a person’s hairstyle without having to cut it or have any permanent damage caused.
Having the right hairstyle can make a huge difference in how a person looks and feels. This is why many people spend so much time trying to find the perfect look for them. Whether it’s a simple bob or something a little more complicated, there is sure to be a hairstyle out there that is perfect for them.
A long straight bob is a classic style that works well for most people. It is easy to maintain and can be easily brushed, curled or straightened. This style is particularly great for women who have fine, straight hair.
Another good option is a shoulder-length wavy or textured hairstyle. This style is also very versatile and can be swooped up into a casual ponytail or worn down to create an elegant, feminine look. The best part about this hairstyle is that it looks good on almost any face shape and is very low-maintenance.
For those who want a more dramatic look, a full-blown bouffant is an excellent choice. This style is often seen on celebrities and is characterized by a high crown and lots of layers. The style is reminiscent of the look of the 80s and 90s, and it is very popular among female students.
The last thing we will discuss is a style that has become quite popular recently, the pixie crop. This style is shorter than the bob, with the top being slightly longer than the bottom. It is a very feminine look that can be accentuated with bangs. This hairstyle is also suitable for almost any occasion, so it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for something new.
