Hair is a filament that grows out of a hole in the skin, called a hair follicle. It is composed of tightly packed keratin cells. Hair is found all over the human body, except on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and the palms of the hands and feet. Hair has a number of important functions. It protects the eyes from dust and dirt, keeps the head warm, and it can help regulate body temperature. It also serves as an aesthetic feature, and there are many ways to style it.
Hair has been used as an identifying marker of culture and societal standing throughout history, and it can still be seen in the way a person’s hairstyle and color can affect their appearance. A haircut, for example, can indicate a person’s gender, sexuality, worldview and socioeconomic status. In some cases, the stereotypes associated with a certain hairstyle or haircut can be damaging, but even innocuous looking hair is often judged and misjudged.
The structure of hair is unique in that it consists of three distinct morphological components: cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle cells are flat and square-shaped, and they have numerous overlapping areas (or imbrications). These layers of cuticle provide a protective layer against physical and chemical damage. The cortex cells make up the bulk of the hair fiber, and they are responsible for its mechanical properties. The medulla cells are found in the middle of the hair shaft and contribute to its elastic properties.
During the anagen phase, your hair cells are fed by blood vessels that pump nutrients into your hair follicles. When the hair cell reaches the end of its natural life, it is cut off from its supply of nourishment, and the dead cells are pushed up out of the follicle, where they are formed into a hard protein called keratin. The keratin forms the hair’s shaft, which is visible above the scalp.
Each hair is shaped differently and has different textures, lengths and colors. In addition, each hair is subjected to a series of alternating cycles of growth, rest, fallout and renewed growth. This is why your hair grows faster in summer than in winter.
In order to grow healthy and beautiful hair, you should use the proper products for your specific hair and scalp needs. For example, if your hair is dry and frizzy, opt for a shampoo that contains fatty alcohols to help detangle your strands. For those with oily or greasy hair, look for products that balance the oils in your scalp. And if you dye your hair, choose a shampoo that will preserve your color.
Using the right descriptive words to describe your character’s hair can add a lot of depth to your story. So take a look at this extensive list of descriptive hair words to make sure you are choosing the best terms for all of your character’s hair needs.