Hair is a filamentary outgrowth of the outer layer of the epidermis found in some mammals. It is composed of a tough protein called keratin, and it grows from hair follicles located in the dermis. Hair is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of humans and other mammals and serves a variety of purposes. For example, it provides insulation and help the head retain heat and also helps to protect the skin on the scalp from sun damage. It is also an important part of nonverbal communication and can convey a person’s emotions.
When writing about a person’s or character’s hair, it is important to choose the right words to describe its texture, shape and color. The right descriptive hair words can help your readers to get a better idea of the character’s appearance and can also make the article or story more readable.
There are several different types of hair, including thin, medium and coarse. These classifications are based on the circumference of the individual hair and the condition of the cuticle that covers each hair. Fine hair is so fine that it is hard to feel and shed strands can be difficult to see even against a contrasting background. Medium hair feels like a cotton thread and isn’t stiff or rough, while coarse hair feels tough and wiry.
Each hair grows from a small, saclike hole in the skin known as a hair follicle. The bottom of the follicle contains a cluster of special cells that reproduce to form new hair cells. These cells are called keratinocytes, and they produce the fibrous protein keratin that makes up most of a hair. Hair is also infused with a pigment called melanin, which gives it its natural color. The keratinocytes and melanin are protected by the hair cuticle, which is a specialized layer of the skin’s surface that helps to keep the hair healthy.
A hair’s color is determined by its melanocytes. The melanocytes in a person’s scalp create darker hair strands than those in their arms or legs, because the melanocytes in these areas are exposed to less sunlight. Darker hair strands also have more melanocytes, which means that the strands are thicker and have more of a sheen to them.
Many people have a specific shampoo for each of their hair types and textures, because the type of shampoo can play a critical role in how well the hair stays healthy. The proper selection of a shampoo can also determine how well a style holds and the amount of time it takes for the hair to dry.
Hair is an evolutionary adaptation that was important for pre-humans to have in order to protect their heads from the sun’s intense rays. In addition, hair helps to maintain body temperature and can be a source of pride for some individuals. However, a person’s hair can also serve as a stereotype that reflects their gender, sexuality, worldview and socioeconomic status.