Hair is a big part of many people’s outward appearance. Girls love to style their hair for a pretty, feminine look; boys tend to want to look rugged and masculine. Even so, both genders can get a bad image from their hairstyles or the way they wear it. Body hair descriptions can be useful tools for your stories to immerse readers and create a sense of place or time. Just be careful how detailed you go. Too much detail can overwhelm and cause confusion about what the character is really like. It is better to focus on key details that are important and leave the reader to fill in the rest of the picture.
Hair grows from a small follicle at the top of the skin called the dermis. The follicle is fed by a blood supply from the subcutis, a layer of connective tissue beneath the epidermis. It is also fed by the sebaceous gland, which produces oil called sebum that acts as a natural lubricant for the hair shaft.
The hair shaft is made from a fibrous protein called keratin. It is the same protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of the skin, and protects the epithelial cells from damage and stress. The keratin is arranged in layers, the cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer, which gives the hair its sheen and luster. The cortex is the middle layer, and the medulla is the innermost layer.
Hair color, length and texture are determined by the shape of the follicle and its surrounding structure. Round follicles and shafts produce straight hair, while oval follicles and shafts produce curly or wavy hair. The shape of the follicle determines the direction of the hair’s growth and its tendency to curl or erect. Erect hair is likely a vestigial adaptation related to the way wild animals stand their fur up to trap air and conserve heat, or cut a larger silhouette to intimidate rivals or would-be predators.
In addition to its role in determining the physical characteristics of an individual, hair has an emotional significance for many people. This is reflected in the fact that people touch their hair compulsively and use it to show emotions such as nervousness or anxiety. It is also used as a sign of sexuality, worldview and socioeconomic status. Because of these factors, stereotypes about hair are commonplace and can be very inaccurate. They include the cliches that blondes are dumb or gullible, and redheads are sexy, sassy and feisty. While they may be based on some truth, they can be very harmful to self-esteem. For this reason, it is best to avoid them whenever possible.