At Skalp® we are all about hair (or lack of it) and love the facts. For centuries humans have always taken pride in their appearance and locks. It helps create a perception of ourselves and has social implications. It’s fascinating stuff. So, here are some fascinating facts about it.
Blonde Women and Oestrogen
We have all heard the rumour that bald men have more testosterone than those with hair – it’s not necessarily true. One true thing is that according to studies, women with blonde hair have a higher level of Oestrogen than those with darker hair. Oestrogen is one of the main female sex hormones. While both women and men produce Oestrogen, it plays a bigger role in women’s bodies. Interestingly blonde hair doesn’t seem to be dictated by hormonal balance at all. However, both male and female blondes have more hair – on average blondes have 130,000 hairs as opposed to 100,000 hairs for brunettes and 80,000 hairs for those with redheads.
Melanesian Hair
Blonde hair is something that we see commonly in Caucasian people, however, the people of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Islands are also prone to it.
The hair associated with these people is generally curly and has a straw-like colour. The interesting thing about it is that it is caused by a different gene completely. Additionally, it doesn’t correlate with any specific eye colour. Europeans tend to have blonde hair and blue eyes as a genetic combination. The blonde hair of Melanesian people is caused by a genetic mutation that impacts the amino acid patterns in the hair.
Hair Color and Learning Disabilities
Hair color could also be correlated with several medical conditions. For example, one study of 50 learning disabled children, of which 20 percent were blonde. Interestingly, only 11 percent of non-disabled children were blonde, which shows a higher prevalence of such issues in blonde children.
There are also studies to show that there is a higher percentage of blonde children with dyslexia than in the general population. They are also more likely to be left-handed. One understanding of this is because melanin levels are lower in blondes, the chemical that plays a role in the building of neural circuitry, these lower levels may cause development issues.
Hair Colour and Learning Disabilities
Hair colour could also be correlated with several medical conditions. For example, in one study of 50 learning disabled children, of which 20 per cent were blonde. Interestingly, only 11 per cent of non-disabled children were blonde, which shows a higher prevalence of such issues in blonde children.
There are also studies to show that there is a higher percentage of blonde children with dyslexia than in the general population. They are also more likely to be left-handed. One understanding of this is because melanin levels are lower in blondes, the chemical that plays a role in the building of neural circuitry, these lower levels may cause development issues.
Hair Colours
- 75%-84% of the world’s population has black or dark brown hair.
- 11% of the population is naturally brunette
- Only 3% of the world’s population has natural blonde hair
- 2% of the population have red hair.
There are a vast number of hair colours throughout the world, however brown hair is the most prevalent by a long way. Under 2 per cent of the world’s population is ginger and only 3 per cent are blonde. Although, 13% of the Scotland population has red hair, and 40% f the population carries the gene. The fact is Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads in the world.
Hair Growth
Hair tends to grow faster in warm weather than it does at colder times of the year. This is because the warmer weather stimulates circulation, which in turn stimulates hair growth.
Another hair fact is what it is made from. Hair is made mainly from keratin, which is the same protein that makes hooves and beaks in animals. The hair itself is around 50% carbon, 21 per cent oxygen, 17 per cent nitrogen, 6 per cent hydrogen and 5 per cent sulfur.
Hair is interesting stuff, there are no doubts about that and these seven facts should give you a greater insight into the interesting world of the stuff on your head.
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