Why is everyone’s hair different?

Have you ever wondered why everyone’s hair is different and what causes these differences? From thick, curly hair to thinner, straight hair, there’s lots of factors that determine why our hair grows the way it does, and still a lot of variables that researchers are always looking into to get a better understanding of our hair!

What affects our hair colour, shape, and thickness? Learn more below and discover some quick and easy tips for hair maintenance - whether you want to show off your natural hair or looking for options to bare it all!

What determines your hair colour?

Hair colour is dependent on two types of pigments you have in your body: melanin and carotene. Melanin is dark brown and carotene is a reddish-yellow pigment, and the amount you have of each determines your hair colour[1].

Your natural hair colour is all part of your genes, and the more melanin your hair has, the darker your hair is going to be[2]. 

You may have noticed your hair colour change over time, and this is caused by the amount of melanin your body produces throughout your life. Someone who was blonde as a baby may now have darker hair because of the amount of melanin their body produced as they grew. Similarly, hair starts going grey as we get older because our bodies are producing much less melanin, making hair start losing its colour.

Why do you have curly hair or straight hair?

Hair envy - a common occurrence for lots of people: “If only my straight hair had more volume and waves”, or “I wish my hair could be more sleek and shiny”. How curly hair or straight hair develops is again down to genetics, but researchers still aren’t 100% sure exactly which factors determine the shape of hair. One of the main drivers that has been identified to determine hair shape is a gene that produces a protein called trichohyalin (TCHH)[3].

Additional theories[4] that could determine hair shape include:

• Shape of the hair follicle
• Number of twists (during growth)
• Hormones and medication
• Hair bulb’s position in the follicle
• Humidity

What dictates hair thickness?

Hair thickness is dependent on the size of your individual hair follicles. People with thicker hair probably have larger hair follicles, which produce thicker strands of hair, while those who have thinner hair will probably have smaller hair follicles. 

Hair can also seem thicker if you have more hair. If you have more hair follicles on your scalp (or any other body part) then more hair will grow[5].

Quick Tips for Hair Maintenance

All this to say that heredity is a big factor in how your hair grows and why everyone’s hair is different! Whether you want to rock your natural hair or want to change it up, the choice is yours and there’s so many options available to help you live your best hair life.

Looking for hair removal tips? Shaving is an option, but those with thicker hair may see that it can come back quicker and thicker each time you shave. This is the same for depilatory creams, as the root of the hair isn’t as affected as when you wax, but is a great quick and painless option. 

For long lasting smoothness, remove hair straight from the root and try our Veet® Professional™ Wax Strips, For Legs & Body, Dry Skin, With Aloe Vera, 20 ct* cold wax or  Veet® PURE Sugar Wax Kit – Argan Oil* hot wax, both leaving your skin feeling moisturized and enjoying up to 28 days of smoothness!

Whether you have curly hair, wavy hair, or straight hair, there’s so many more factors to why our hair grows a certain way. Want to know more about the different types of hair and the hair growth cycle? Check out our Get to Know the Types of Hair on Your Body article!

^*Ensure this product is right for you. Always read and follow product label.

[1] http://www.scienceiq.com/facts/whatgiveshairitscolor.cfm 

[2] https://www.aad.org/public/parents-kids/healthy-habits/parents/kids/hair-color

[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318524#Genes-control-curly-hair 

[4] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102074149 

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594724