1The Tiny Hair Factories Under Your Skin
Did you know that every single hair on your head starts its life inside a tiny tube called a follicle? Think of a follicle like a miniature biological factory! At the bottom of this factory is a root made of cells that protein together to create a hair strand. This protein is called keratin—the same tough stuff that makes up your fingernails and even a rhino's horn! As the factory works, it pushes the hair up through your skin. By the time the hair is long enough for you to see, it is actually made of dead cells, which is why it doesn't hurt when you get a haircut.
2The Three Stages of a Hair's Life
Your hair isn't just growing constantly; it actually follows a very specific three-part rhythm. First is the growing phase, where the hair can stay active for anywhere from two to seven years! After that, the hair takes a short break in the resting phase, where it stops getting longer but stays attached to your head. Finally, the hair enters the shedding phase, where it falls out to make room for a brand-new sprout. Because each of your 150,000 hairs is on its own separate timer, you only lose a few at a time instead of all at once!
3Growing at the Speed of Science
On average, human hair grows about half an inch every month. That means in one year, your hair could grow six inches longer! However, not all hair on your body grows at the same speed or for the same amount of time. The hair on your eyebrows, for example, has a much shorter growing phase than the hair on your head—usually only staying active for about 30 days. This is why your eyebrows stay short while the hair on your head can grow long enough to reach your waist. It is all part of your body's amazing internal garden management system.
