Who doesn’t love to flaunt their hair? Hair have a massive impact on the way you look. Whether you have straight, curly, or wavy hair, they play essential biological and cultural roles. Not only do hair shield your scalp from weather changes, but they also play a crucial role in social communication. People across the globe have different hair types. Silky straight, bouncy curls, or elegantly wavy, all hair types are beautiful. Whether you have braids, ponytails, short or long hair, your hair are probably your prized possession. But have you ever wondered what gives texture to your hair? If not, let’s discuss the science behind your hair type.
You might have seen how hair textures vary among people belonging to different parts of the world. So your ethnic background has a lot to do with your hair. The genes passed on to you from your ancestors determine your hair color and the texture and thickness of hair strands, and the shape of your hair follicles. An article published by the Northwestern University has shed some light on the importance of hair follicle shapes and hair shafts. Since genes are responsible for forming your follicles, you owe your hair type greatly to your ancestors.
By now, you know that hair follicles are essential. So, let’s dig into how the hair follicle gives your hair its straightness or curls. Hair experts believe that if the hair follicles are rounded, your hair shafts grow out straight. However, varying hair follicle shapes produce different hair textures. An oval hair follicle will give you wavy hair, while curly hair shafts usually spring out from hooked or elliptical hair follicles. The diameter of the follicles on your scalp then affects the thickness of your hair shafts.
Consider watching this video to know more about why do people go bald…
Another factor affecting your hair shape is the angle at which your hair shafts grow. People having straight hair usually have hair shafts that run vertically down into their scalp. The hair patterns vary with the varying hair shaft angles. People with more curly hair have tilted hair growth angles. Not only do these angles affect the curliness of your hair, but they also determine the skin condition on your scalp.
Have you wondered how some people with curly hair can go days without washing their hair? Or have you suffered from extremely oily scalp if you have straight hair? The answer is in the angles! Tilted hair growth angles make it difficult for the natural oils on your scalp to spread through your hair. As a result, curly-haired people often suffer from dryness or dandruff, while straight hair usually has oily problems.
The protein buildup on your hair shafts also determines hair shape. Your hair shafts are made of a unique protein called keratin. The way keratin molecules build your hair shafts determines the curliness of your hair. Though the protein buildup is not as effective as the shape of hair follicles, it is of significant value. People having curly or wavy hair have irregular protein symmetry. The keratins collect in the curve of your hair, coiling them even more. Straight-haired people have these keratins lined smoothly. That is why some chemical or protein treatments temporarily straighten up your hair. They smooth the cells of your hair shafts, giving them a glossy, less frizzy appearance temporarily.
Certain drugs, hormonal changes, and humidity also affect the texture of your hair. So! What are your hair like?
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!