A hairy business

Let your hair down: 10 amazing facts about human hair

Image: Ali Pazani

The human body is incredible, from its mechanics to its ability to heal and adapt to multiple environments and situations. Hair, as part of our body, is no exception to this complexity and wonder. Let’s take a look at 10 amazing facts about our hair that you may not know!

Image: Ian Talmacs

The word hair is used to describe two separate and distinct components: the follicle and the shaft. The follicle—what we commonly refer to as the root—is a living organ located in the dermis of the scalp. It’s responsible not only for growing hair but also for helping regenerate skin after a wound.

On the other hand, the shaft—often referred to as the strand—is a filament composed of layers of keratin, the same protein that makes up our nails. Unlike the follicle, the hair shaft is technically dead because it consists of dead cells.

Image: Joyful Bird

Each hair strand is composed of three layers. The innermost layer is the medulla, and even scientists are still uncertain about its exact function. Surrounding the medulla is the cortex, which absorbs water and provides strength to the strand. The cortex also contains melanin, the pigment that determines hair color, and its shape plays a major role in whether hair is straight or curly. The outermost layer is the cuticle, which serves primarily to protect the hair shaft.

Image: Tyler McRobert

Hair color is primarily influenced by several genes, including MC1R, which plays a key role in melanin production. However, not everyone produces the same type or amount of melanin. Higher amounts of melanin result in black hair, while varying levels and types of melanin—along with genetic variations—produce brown, blond, and other shades.

Red hair, the rarest natural color, is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene and is inherited in a recessive pattern. This means a person must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to have red hair, though many people carry the gene without expressing the trait.

Image: William Warby

Growing at a rate of about 0.2 to 0.5 inches per month, hair is the second-fastest growing tissue in the human body—surpassed only by bone marrow. This rate is influenced by factors such as genetics and ethnic background. Other variables, such as age, lifestyle, or health, can also have an impact on our hair growth and density.

Image: Sohan Rahat

We usually think of cats or dogs when it comes to shedding, but humans also shed hair regularly. After all, hair is a trait shared by all mammals. The average person sheds between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, though this number can increase in response to stressors such as illness, hormonal changes, or emotional stress. Once the stress subsides and the body readjusts, the excess shedding typically stops.

Image: Joseph Chan

Commonly associated with aging, grey hair isn’t a color in itself but rather the result of a loss of pigment. As part of the natural aging process, melanin production in the hair follicle gradually decreases and eventually stops, causing strands to appear grey or white.

Genetics and ethnic background play a major role in determining when and how the greying process begins. Some people are even genetically predisposed to start greying at a very young age.

Image: Jaroslav Devia

Hair texture is commonly associated with ethnic background, but that’s not the only factor involved. Texture is primarily determined by genetics, and while genetics are closely tied to ancestry, all hair textures can be found across different populations.

Scientists believe that hair texture—specifically curl pattern and volume—is a result of the shape of the shaft. A round shaft typically produces straight hair, while flatter or more oval-shaped shafts tend to create curls and waves.

Image: Amritanshu Sikdar

Depending on the structure of your hair cuticle, your hair may be more or less water-repellent. Hair shafts with a more porous cuticle absorb water easily but also lose moisture quickly. In contrast, shafts with a tighter-packed cuticle struggle to get wet and are slow to dry.

Image: Sonja Langford

Hair doesn’t grow continuously or all at once—each strand follows a cycle with distinct phases. First comes the growing phase, which varies depending on the type of hair (for example, facial hair grows faster and for a shorter period than scalp hair). Eventually, growth slows down, and the strand detaches from the root.

After this, the hair enters a resting phase, during which it remains in place until it is naturally shed. At any given time, we have hairs in all stages of this cycle, which is why we regularly shed hair without going bald.

Image: Hans Reniers

Like any other part of the body, hair contains DNA and genetic material, which means a person can be genetically identified from a single strand, provided it includes the root. But hair holds even more information. The analysis of a hair strand can reveal substances that were present in a person’s bloodstream over time, including vitamins, minerals, medications, alcohol, and other substances.

Deep roots

11 everyday words with indigenous roots

English is a very welcoming language in the sense that it incorporates terms from many other languages from all over the world. And, as it couldn’t be otherwise, Native American languages have lent many of their words and terms to English speakers. Some traveled through Spanish or French before settling into English, and others arrived directly through early contact and trade, helping shape the way we speak today. Did you know about these 11 terms?

The word "canoe" comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.

Over time, "canoe" became the standard English word for a small paddled craft. Today it still carries that sense of simplicity and closeness to nature.

The word "barbecue" comes from barbacoa, another Taino term for a wooden frame used for cooking meat over fire. Europeans adopted it and applied it to both the method and the gathering itself.

Today, "barbecue" means everything from a backyard cookout to a regional cooking style. Its origins highlight the deep culinary influence of Native Americans in the nation's current culture.

"Skunk" comes from the Algonquian word squnk, which means "urinating fox" (quite a fitting term, indeed). This was an obvious reference to the animal’s strong defensive spray. Early settlers adopted the term directly.

Since English had no better name for the creature, the Native word stuck. Today, the word skunks is also used as playful slang.

The word "moose" originates from Eastern Abenaki, a part of the Algonquian family, where it meant "he strips off bark." Yes, it described the animal’s habit of tearing bark from trees.

The name entered English quickly because settlers relied on Native knowledge of local fauna. The word remains unchanged because of its accuracy and usefulness.

"Raccoon" comes from the Powhatan word arakun, meaning "he scratches with his hands." It described the animal’s clever, humanlike front paws.

Settlers adopted the term because it captured the creature’s behavior beautifully. Today, the raccoon is used as a household symbol of curiosity, not unlike the animal itself.

The term "chipmunk" most probably comes from the Ojibwe word ajidamoo, which means "one who descends trees headfirst." Early English settlers adapted the sound into today’s form.

Though the spelling changed over time, the lively image of a chipmunk racing down a tree face-first stayed.

The word "caribou" comes from the Mi’kmaq term qalipu, which means "snow shoveler," referring to the animal’s habit of digging through snow for food.

French settlers brought the word into English, keeping its descriptive nature. The name still connects the modern animal to the winter landscapes it belongs to.

"Totem" comes from the Ojibwe word ototeman, which means "kinship group." It described symbols representing clans and shared roots.

English adopted it to describe carved poles and symbolic elements. Though broader in modern usage, it still hints at the original sense of community, identity, and heritage.

"Coyote" comes from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, which was used by Indigenous tribes of central Mexico. Spanish speakers adopted it, and English borrowed later.

The word kept its meaning, and it remains one of the most direct links between the English language and Nahuatl.

The tasty avocado’s name traces to the Nahuatl word ahacatl, which refers to the fruit and to a body part as well. Spanish speakers transformed it into aguacate.

Later on, English speakers adapted it to avocado. While the name sounds contemporary and culinary, it has ancient Native roots.

The last Nahuatl word and also the last word on the list comes from the term xocolātl, which describes a bitter cacao drink that was consumed long before Europeans arrived in America. The name traveled from Spanish to English.

Though the product changed dramatically, the word survived. Today, chocolate is a universal symbol of sweetness, with rich and deeply indigenous roots.