How Your Hair Works

Summary

In 'How The Body Works' by Kids Health, Chloe and Nurb explore the fascinating world of hair growth. They learn that hair isn't just on the head but is found all over the body, serving various purposes like warmth and protection. Hair originates from follicles in the skin, where cells multiply and push the hair upwards. The script debunks the myth of 'magic beans' for hair growth, revealing that hair is made of dead cells and is nourished by oil glands. Hair color and texture vary due to melanin levels and genetics. The video humorously educates about hair care, emphasizing regular washing, brushing, and a healthy diet for optimal hair health.

Takeaways

• 🌲 Hair grows almost anywhere on the body, not just on the head.
• 👀 Eyebrows and eyelashes serve protective functions, such as keeping sweat and dust out of the eyes.
• 🌱 Hair originates from hair follicles in the skin, where cells multiply at the hair bulb.
• ✂️ Hair does not have living cells once it's grown above the skin surface, which is why cutting it doesn't hurt.
• 💧 Sebaceous glands produce oil that gives hair its shine, but too much oil can make hair look greasy.
• 🌬️ Hair is in a constant cycle of falling out and being replaced by new growth.
• 🔍 On average, a person loses about 50 to 100 hairs per day, with each hair having a life cycle of about three years.
• 🎨 Hair color is determined by melanin, with less melanin resulting in lighter hair colors.
• 👵 As people age, they may lose melanin in their hair, leading to gray or white hair.
• 🌀 Hair comes in various textures such as curly, straight, wavy, and bald, which is also considered beautiful.
• 💇‍♀️ Regular washing, brushing, and a healthy diet contribute to maintaining healthy and attractive hair.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is how hair grows and its various functions on the human body.

Why does Chloe initially believe that hair can grow from beans?

Chloe believes hair can grow from beans because she has been told about 'magic beans for growing hair', which is a humorous misunderstanding of the natural process of hair growth.

Where does hair grow on the human body?

Hair grows on almost every part of the human body, including the head, eyebrows, and even the cheeks, although some hairs like those on the cheek are so fine they are almost invisible.

What are the different functions of hair on the body?

The hair on the head keeps the head warm, eyelashes protect the eyes from dirt and dust, and eyebrows help to prevent sweat from dripping into the eyes.

Where does hair originate from and how does it grow?

Hair originates from hair follicles in the skin. At the base of each follicle is the hair bulb, where cells multiply and push the hair up and out through the skin.

Why doesn't it hurt when hair is cut?

It doesn't hurt when hair is cut because the cells that make up a strand of hair are not alive once the hair is at the skin surface.

What are sebaceous glands and what role do they play in hair?

Sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands, produce oil that makes hair shiny. Sometimes they can produce too much oil, making the hair look greasy.

How often does hair typically fall out and get replaced?

Each hair grows for about three years, lives for a few months, and then falls out. A new hair grows out of the same follicle to replace the old one. On average, 50 to 100 hairs fall out each day from a typical person's head.

What determines the color of hair?

Hair color comes from melanin, a pigment. The lighter the hair, the less melanin it contains. As people age, they can lose melanin in their hair, which can result in white or gray hair.

How does the texture of hair vary?

Hair comes in different textures such as curly, straight, and wavy. The texture is determined by the shape of the hair follicle and how the hair grows from it.

What is the average growth rate of hair?

The average hair grows half an inch per month.

How can one maintain healthy-looking hair?

Healthy-looking hair can be maintained by washing it regularly, brushing and combing it, and eating a nutritious diet.

Outlines

00:00

🌲 Hair Growth and Its Functions

The script introduces the concept of hair growth with a humorous dialogue between Chloe and Nurb. Chloe believes in magic beans for growing hair, but Nurb corrects her by explaining that hair grows naturally from the skin. They discuss the various places hair can grow on the body, its visibility, and its different functions such as keeping the head warm or protecting the eyes. The conversation also touches on the structure of hair follicles and the role of hair bulbs in the growth process. Additionally, it mentions the life cycle of hair, including its growth phase, resting phase, and eventual falling out to be replaced by new hair.

Keywords

💡Hair

Hair is a filamentous biomaterial that grows from follicles found in the dermis layer of the skin. In the video, hair is the central theme, with discussions on its growth, functions, and characteristics. The script mentions hair's presence on various parts of the body, not just the head, and its roles such as keeping the head warm and protecting the eyes from sweat and debris.

💡Hair Follicle

A hair follicle is a small pit in the skin from which hair grows. The script explains that hair follicles are tube-like structures beneath the skin's surface, and at the base of each follicle is the hair bulb where cells multiply, leading to hair growth. This concept is crucial for understanding the biological process of hair development.

💡Sebaceous Glands

Sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands, are exocrine glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance called sebum. The video script mentions that these glands produce oil that makes hair shiny. However, overproduction of sebum can lead to greasy hair, illustrating the balance needed for healthy hair appearance.

💡Melanin

Melanin is a pigment that determines the color of hair and skin. The video explains that hair color is derived from melanin, with less melanin resulting in lighter hair colors and more melanin leading to darker shades. The script uses this concept to explain why some people have blond hair and others have black hair.

💡Hair Growth Cycle

The hair growth cycle refers to the stages of growth, resting, and shedding that each hair follicle goes through. The script provides insight into this cycle, noting that each hair grows for about three years, then falls out and is replaced by a new hair. This cycle is essential for understanding the natural process of hair maintenance and replacement.

💡Hair Texture

Hair texture refers to the physical shape and feel of hair strands, which can be straight, wavy, curly, or other forms. The video script touches on this concept, mentioning different hair textures and even including baldness as a texture, emphasizing the diversity in human hair characteristics.

💡Eyebrows

Eyebrows are the hair that grows above the eye area, forming a protective and aesthetic feature. In the script, eyebrows are highlighted for their role in protecting the eyes from sweat and debris, showcasing their functional importance in addition to their contribution to facial expression.

💡Eyelashes

Eyelashes are the hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelids, serving to protect the eyes from dust and other particles. The video script explains their protective function, emphasizing the importance of these delicate hairs in maintaining eye health.

💡Greasy Hair

Greasy hair is a condition where the hair appears oily due to excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. The script humorously addresses this issue, providing a context for understanding how the balance of oil production can affect hair's appearance and management.

💡Healthy Hair Care

Healthy hair care involves practices such as regular washing, brushing, and maintaining a nutritious diet to support hair health. The video script promotes these practices as ways to keep hair looking and feeling great, tying in the importance of both external care and internal health for hair.

💡Magic Beans

The concept of 'magic beans' in the script is a humorous element that contrasts with the scientific explanations of hair growth. It serves as a plot device to engage the audience and introduce the topic of hair, highlighting the difference between myth and biological reality.

Highlights

Hair grows almost anywhere on the body.

Some body hair is visible like eyebrows, while other hair is almost invisible.

Hair serves different functions depending on its location.

Head hair keeps the head warm, eyelashes protect the eyes from dirt and dust.

Eyebrows protect the eyes from sweat dripping down.

Hair growth begins in the skin with hair follicles and hair bulbs.

Hair is made up of dead cells, which is why cutting it doesn't hurt.

Sebaceous glands produce oil that makes hair shiny.

Excessive oil production can make hair look greasy.

Hair is in a constant cycle of falling out and being replaced by new hair.

Each hair grows for about three years before falling out.

On average, 50 to 100 hairs fall out from a person's head each day.

Hair color comes from melanin, a pigment that decreases with age.

Hair texture varies, including curly, straight, wavy, and bald.

The average hair grows half an inch per month.

Healthy hair can be attributed to regular washing, brushing, and a nutritious diet.

Hair growth is a natural process and does not require magic beans.

Transcripts

Kids Health presents, How The Body Works,

with Chloe and the Nurb.

Chloe, you'll never guess what I got for all of the money

in our piggy bank.

Magic beans for growing hair.

Why do you want to grow hair?

Ah, no reason.

Nurb, hair doesn't grow from beans.

Chloe, I'm pretty sure it does.

Come with me.

I'll show you how hair grows.

Why are we in the middle of a forest?

Does hair come from trees?

These aren't trees, Nurb.

That's a strand of hair.

We're in hair.

Hair!

What is hair doing here?

That's the thing, Nurb.

Hair grows almost anywhere.

When you think of hair, you probably

think of the hair that grows on the head,

but there's hair on almost every part of the body.

Weird!

You mean weirdly awesome!

Some of the hair on the body is easy to see, like eyebrows.

But other hair, like the hair on the cheek

is so fine that it's almost invisible.

I have hair on my cheek?

Why would my body need that?

Depending on where hair is, it has different jobs.

The hair on top of my head keeps my head warm.

My eyelashes protect my eyes from dirt and dust.

And your eyebrows--

--attract the lady nurbs.

And protect your eyes from sweat dripping down into them.

Amazing.

But if this hair stuff is everywhere,

where does it come from?

It all starts in the skin.

So that's where the magic beans are planted.

No beans, Nurb.

Ah, you stupid good for nothing beans,

I curse the day I bought you.

Please continue.

There are tube like hair follicles

that extend below the surface of the skin.

At the base of each follicle is the hair bulb,

where cells multiply.

As hair begins to grow, it pushes up and out

of the follicle, through the skin, where it can be seen.

That's amazing.

Even more amazing is that once hair is at the skin surface,

the cells that make up a strand of hair aren't alive anymore.

That's why it doesn't hurt when hair is cut with scissors.

Dead cells?

Why does it look so pretty and shiny?

For that you can thank the oil glands, which are also

called sebaceous glands.

Fancy word.

The sebaceous glands produce the oil that makes hair shiny.

Sometimes the sebaceous gland pumps

out too much oil and the person's hair may look greasy.

Greasy?

Oh let me touch!

Let me touch!

Oh no!

What have I done to the beautiful hair?

You didn't do anything Nurb.

You may not notice it, but hair is always falling out

and being replaced by new hair.

Each hair grows for an average of about three years, lives

for a few months, and then it falls out.

A new hair grows out of the same follicle,

replacing the old one.

Of the 100,000 hairs on a typical person's head,

about 50 to 100 hairs fall out each day.

That's neat.

Why is this one black though?

Hair comes in all sorts of different colors.

Hair color comes from melanin which is a pigment.

The lighter someone's hair is, the less melanin there is.

So someone with blond hair has less melanin

than someone with black hair.

Also, people lose the melanin in their hair as they age.

Is that why my grampy, Jebadiah Nurb, has all white hair?

Exactly.

Hair also comes in different textures,

like curly, straight, and wavy.

And bald, which is beautiful.

Oh my goodness!

Chloe look!

The beans I threw, they worked!

It's a magical, fantastical, hairy bean stock.

Woo hoo hoo!

Nurb, it's hair.

It doesn't need beans to grow.

The average hair grows half an inch per month.

And some people can grow the hair

really long, down their backs, or even longer.

Oh yeah?

Well, if it doesn't need beans to grow why does it

look so healthy and magical?

It's not magic, Nurb.

Washing hair regularly helps keep it looking great.

Wash it and it looks great.

Ha!

A likely story.

Well, it helps to brush and comb it regularly too.

And eat healthy food.

A nutritious diet keeps your body

healthy from the inside out.

Well I'll be Nurb.

I guess you're right.

It is a huge, healthy hair.

No beans needed.

Glad to see you've come around.

Now let's climb it and get a better view.

Wow.

I can even see my mommy's house.

Yo, Ma!

What's for lunch?