Hair is a simple cylindrical arrangement of dead keratin, the same stuff that makes up your nails and outer layer of skin (and animal horns). It grows out of a tiny hole in your scalp (a follicle) with glands that produce oil to keep it hydrated and lustrous. The follicles are constantly creating new cells to grow into your hair in a cycle of growth, rest, and death. Once your hair reaches the surface of your scalp, all it is is dead keratin.
Hair has important social significance. It can be used to display a person’s culture and ethnicity, as well as their status in their community, class, or family. It can also communicate sexuality and social group membership, or be a symbol of mourning or religious devotion. Hair is also a means of self-expression, with many different styles, colors, and lengths to choose from.
A person’s hair can be a key element in their appearance, reflecting both their personality and mood. For example, someone might wear their hair up to seem mature or professional, but they might tuck it behind their ears when feeling nervous or shy. Hair can also be an indicator of health and hygiene, with long or thick hair indicating good health and good nutrition.
In terms of aesthetics, it is possible to categorize hair according to its length, color, texture, and density. Hair can be straight, wavy, or curly, and may or may not have a natural scent.
There are a lot of words that can describe how a person’s hair looks, but it can be difficult to know what they mean. This list of descriptive hair words should help you understand and use them properly.
1.Scalp texture — How rough, coarse, or smooth a person’s scalp is.
Hair texture is a combination of how hard or soft a person’s hair is, and how thick it is. It’s easy to test how a person’s scalp feels: pinch a single hair between your fingers and run your finger along it from root to tip. The cuticle is the thin outer layer of flattened cuticle cells, which is responsible for a hair’s gloss and shine. The cortex is the middle layer, where most of a hair’s strength comes from, and it can feel gritty or slick.
2.Hair density — How thick or thin a person’s hair is.
The thickness of a person’s hair is defined by the amount of keratin it contains. Keratin is a strong protein that is found throughout the body in various forms. Thicker hair is usually sturdier, but it can be very fine or brittle as well.
To get an idea of how thin or thick your hair is, pinch a single strand of hair between your thumb and index finger. If it’s very fine, it will feel silky and smooth. If it’s very thick, it will clump together and be more rough. Hair can have a natural smell, but it’s not always detectable, especially when brushed or washed.