Introduction I was recently chatting with a good friend who has been tracking the existence of HairBoutique.com since the early days in 1996 when I was working behind the scenes getting the website set up. He asked me if I could ever run out of "hair" topics to write about. Yes, I suppose it's possible but probably not. Why not? Hair follows fashion and the fashion capitols of the world - Milan, Paris, New York - are always churning out all new looks, colors and yes, hair trends. Of course celebrities keep all of us hair watchers busy trying to figure out their latest hair colors, lengths, textures and hair accessories (thanks Paris). My friend then asked, well, what about the basic hair facts. Do they ever change? Do they get boring. Hmmmm. Good question. I decided to look up a great article written by Jane Bullock - Weird & Wonderful Hair Facts. All the basic hair facts are included, and no, they don't really change. Jane explains the average number of hairs on the head by hair color, as well as the other basic hair facts. However, my friend challenged me to put together an A-Z facts summary. Yes, I am up to the challenge. Check out the follow A-Z Basic Hair Facts below: A - Average number of hairs on the head or scalp: 100,000. Redheads have 90,000, brunettes has 110,00 and blondes have 140,000.
- Annual hair growth is approximately 6-12 inches, depending on a variety of factors.
- Asian hair grows the faster of all types of hair.
- Asian hair tends to be stronger and have more elasticity than other types of hair.
- African American hair, as a general rule, grows more slowly and may be more fragile than European hair.
- African Americans are more prone to Asians to experience hair loss issues.
B - Brunettes generally have 110,000 hairs on their head compared the average of 100,00.
- Blonds tend to have140,000 hair.
C - Combing the hair is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Crash dieting can cause sudden hair loss
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
D - Diameter of the average hair: 0.1 mm
- Daily Hair Diary - Since hair grows slowly, it actually records daily life habits including foods, liquids and all types of drugs ingested (legal and otherwise).
E - Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
F - Female hair grows more slowly than male hair
- Female hair is less dense than male hair
- Fine hair is a "type of hair" and it is inherited.
- Fine hair is not necessarily thin. Fine hair can be very abundant.
- Fine hair also can tangle easily and should be handled with extra care.
- Finger picking is the absolutely safest method of "combing" hair, especially when fingers are first coated with a type of conditioning product.
- Frequent hair washing does not increase loss of hair.
G - Gender is not reflected in hair. Forensic scientists can not distinguish between male and female when studying hair under a microscope.
- Growth rate of hair is faster in warm weather than cold weather.
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
H - Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Hair is very strong. A single strands of hair can actually support approximately 100 grams in weight.
- Heredity determines many aspects of hair including type, texture, color and growth patterns. It also has impact on development of baldness or other hair loss challenges.
- Humidity stretches the hair
I - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
J - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
K - Key composition of hair is keratin.
L - Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Load-carrying capacity of hair is 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Between the ages of 40 and 50 women tend to lose about 20 percent of their hair
M - Marijuana can be detected in the hair for 4-6 weeks. In some cases, even longer.
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
N - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
O - Ovid Hair Quote: "Ugly is a field without grass, a plant without leaves, or a head without hair". (OVID - 43 B.C. - 17 A.D.) Roman Poet.
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
P - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
Q - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
R - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
S - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
T - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
U - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
VWXYZ - Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
- Red hair: 90,000
- Black hair: 110,000
- Blond hair: 140,000
- Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
- Annual growth: 12 cm
- Female hair grows more slowly than male hair (wouldn’t you just know it)
- Male hair is more dense than female hair (ditto)
- Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
- Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
- Load-carrying capacity: 100 grams (= one chocolate bar)
- Humidity stretches the hair
- Combing is less detrimental than brushing
- Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
- Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
- Hair grows faster in warm weather
- Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
- Cutting hair does not influence its growth
- Spliced ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
- Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive
Natural Hair Colors A person's genes determine the hair/skin/eye color since before his or her birth. The determinants for hair color are known as melanocytes. These cells form the natural hair colors, or pigments and distinguish between black, brown, and red. Depending on the percentage of each pigment, the person has blonde, brown, red or black hair. As the melanocytes decay during a lifetime, the hair becomes a dull gray and later on it turns into a whitish color. The Human Hair Hair covers the whole body, with the exception of soles of feet, palms of hands, mucous membranes, and lips. The lifespan of a human hair is 3 to 7 years in the average. For good hair health, try wholemeal products, eggs, liver, kidneys, vitamin D, herrings, salmon, carrots, green vegetables, and vitamin C. Pigments give the hair its color. When we age, hair receives fewer pigments and turns gray or white. And how about this? Circus artists often display a spectacular trick: "hanging on a plait." A female artist is held up with her hair. High up in the circus tent, she swings upon her whole weight, often with another person or all sorts of circus paraphernalia, all hanging by her hair. Ouch…. Amazing facts from the Amazing Hair Facts site: - Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body, second only to bone marrow.
- 35 meters of hair fibre is produced every day on the average adult scalp.
- The average scalp has 100,000 hairs. Redheads have the least at 80,000; brown and black haired persons have about 100,000; and blondes have the most at 120,000.
- 90% of scalp hairs are growing and 10% are resting.
- It is normal to lose 100 hairs per day from the scalp.
- You must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone.
- Many drugs can cause hair loss.
- Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes for hair loss.
- Over 50% of men by age 50 have male pattern hair loss.
- Forty percent of women by the time they reach menopause will have female pattern (hereditary) hair loss.
And all those are just a sampling of the many weird and wonderful hair facts out there. Be the first on your block to amaze (or bore) your family and friends! |
