What is Hair?

Hair forms part of the integumentry system of the body, consisting of hair, skin, nails and sweat and oil glands that act as a barrier to protect the body from the outside world.

Humans are covered all over in hair, except on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the lips. Hair is most obvious on the head and face (including the nose and ears in some people), the armpits, the groin, legs and in men, the chest.

Humans have much less visible hair than do other primates like apes and monkeys. Surprisingly, however, a square centimetre of human skin carries a greater number of hair-producing sites (called follices) than the same area of the skin of other primates. We have lost the requirement for insulating our bodies, and presumably the hair which animals need for this.

Hair is a remarkably tough material. It can stand up to considerable abuse, but over time this can wreak havoc with its natural properties. In particular, its porosity can be badly affected, so that it breaks easily and cannot be styled satisfactorily.

Hair is Tough But....

On the other hand, we can recognize hair that is in good condition. It shines, it is easy to manage - it just looks good. Even though the hair shaft is technically 'dead', in that its cells are no longer dividing, we may describe it as 'healthy'. So why can its properties change so much that the hair loses this 'healthy' appearance?

Sometimes this may be due to a medical condition such as poor nutrition: starvation or anaemia due to a lack of protein in the diet can damage the hair. In famine conditions, some people's hair changes as it grows from black to gingery-red if they cannot get enough protein.

We have seen that in older people hair may not be able to grow as long as it used to, and may become thinner and lose its pigmentation. It might be thought to be less healthy. But it can still maintain its structure, and indeed many elderly people have beautiful hair.

Probably the most obvious aspect of healthy hair is its shine - its ability to reflect light. This property depends mainly on the cuticle of the hair shaft, and how intact it is.

The appearance of the hair is the one feature of the body over which humans, unlike other primates, can have direct control. You can change the length, shape, color and style of your hair (including, for men, facial hair) according to the age you wish to appear, and the economic and social status you want to claim.

The style, length and condition of hair all play a part in how we perceive the people we meet.

Hair care - Preventing damage

Hair is 'dead', and we cannot permanently repair any damage that happens to it. You only get one chance with your hair! This is why it is so important to treat your hair properly, so as to prevent damage. Adopt a good hair care routine.


If you are to get the best possible results from your hair care routine, you need to choose the correct shampoo and conditioner for your hair. These products should contain natural ingredients.