Knowra Hair Hair Hair is a keratin-based structure that grows from mammalian skin. It protects the body, helps regulate temperature, and supports sensation and communication.
Hair follicle : A skin organ that produces a hair shaft and contains cells and structures supporting its growth. The follicle is the living organ from which each hair grows.
Epidermis : The outermost layer of skin, forming a protective barrier between the body and its environment. Hair follicles develop from this outer skin layer.
Piloerection : The involuntary raising of hairs caused by contraction of small muscles attached to follicles. Raised hairs are a visible response to cold or strong emotion.
Hair color : The perceived hue of hair, determined mainly by pigment type and concentration within its fibers. Natural and altered hair color can signal age, identity, or style.
Hair shaft : The visible portion of a hair, composed mainly of dead, keratinized cells. It is the fiber produced by the follicle and seen above the skin.
Dermis : The connective-tissue layer beneath the epidermis, containing blood vessels, nerves, and skin appendages. The lower follicle sits in the dermis, where it receives support.
Hair removal : The removal of unwanted hair by methods such as shaving, waxing, or laser treatment. It applies knowledge of hair shafts and follicles to grooming and treatment.
Hair texture discrimination : Unequal treatment based on natural hair texture or styles associated with particular racial and cultural identities. Social judgments about hair shape can turn a biological trait into a source of discrimination.
Hair growth cycle : The repeating phases of active hair growth, regression, rest, and shedding. Its phases determine how long hairs grow and when they are shed.
Hair matrix : A population of rapidly dividing cells at the base of a growing hair follicle. Matrix cells generate the hair shaft and its inner root sheath.
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