Hair is a fibrous protein filament that grows from follicles in the skin (especially the scalp in humans). It serves various functions, including protecting the scalp against sun damage and helping regulate body temperature. It also plays a role in personal aesthetics and social identity. Hair is a characteristic that differentiates mammals from other vertebrates. In some species, it is extremely thick and robust—think the lion’s mane or grizzly bear fur—whereas in others it is much finer and sparser (like chimpanzees).
The part of the hair that protrudes from the skin is called the hair shaft, which is composed of multi-layered keratinized flat cells arranged into a rope-like structure with a central medulla in some species of mammals. The color of a person’s hair is determined by the melanin pigment (color) in the surrounding cells, and the elasticity of a person’s hair is affected by water content and the structural proteins collagen and elastin.
Each hair follicle has an oil gland, called a sebaceous (sih-BACE-us) gland, that makes and secretes oil. This lubricates the follicle and helps keep the hair and skin hydrated. The follicle is attached to the root of the hair by a small tube-like structure called a papilla (pah-PIH-lee).
Hair cells grow out of the follicle, and after some time, they die, harden, and push through the skin’s surface as a thin and fragile strand of hair. When the strand of hair is shed, new hair cells begin growing at the follicle again. This cycle is repeated for each strand of hair.
When a person brushes or shampoos their hair, the natural oils in their scalp and strands are released. This creates a lather or suds that is then rinsed out and conditioned, leaving behind a supple and shiny appearance.
Different types of shampoos are formulated to address particular problems associated with the hair. For example, color-safe shampoos can help prevent premature fading from dyes while moisturizing strands. There are even formulas that can treat scalp conditions like dandruff or psoriasis.
Lastly, many people use hair accessories to create specific styles or add flair to their look. For example, a punk might wear their hair in a mohawk style from their forehead to the nape of their neck or spray-paint it bright neon colors of pink, blue, purple, or orange.
Thoroughly describing a character’s hair can give the reader a clearer picture of their personality and lifestyle. But before you can accurately describe a person’s hair, you need to know the proper terms to use. Keep reading to learn more about descriptive words for hair, then combine your knowledge with other character traits to write a compelling bio for your salon.