Hair growth patterns include male pattern baldness.
Human hair grows in specific directions, in specific areas, and at specific lengths. These identifiable features are known as hair growth patterns. These patterns are often controlled by genetics and hormones. Hair growth patterns include clumps, hairline height, widow’s peaks, and male pattern baldness. Hairdressers try to cut hair according to each person’s specific growth pattern.
Swirls and crowns leave areas of the scalp more exposed than other areas of the head.
The hairs on the head start to grow at a certain genetically predetermined hairline on the forehead. As men age, some of them will see their hairline shrink. Although female pattern baldness exists, most women do not experience hairline receding; hair can become thinner as women age, making the hairline appear thinner. Male pattern baldness occurs when the receding hairline from the forehead joins a bald area on the back of the head. This condition, also genetic, is affected by the hormone testosterone.
The widow’s peak of the hairline is defined by a sharp point in the center of the hairline along the forehead.
Some people have widow’s peaks in their hairline. A widow’s peak is a spiky section of hair in the middle of the hairline that is further forward than the hairline on the sides. Widow’s peaks can be covered by cutting the hair so that the uneven hairline is hidden.
A bun is an area of hair on the forehead, crown, or nape that grows in different directions. This makes the strand of hair stand out from the rest of the hair. Pompadours can be controlled by leaving this section of hair long enough that the weight forces it to flatten rather than stand up. If a shorter cut is desired, it may be better to cut the pompadour shorter than the rest of the hair, so that the pompadour blends in better.
Genetics and hormones determine hair growth patterns.
Crown hair growth patterns are usually seen at the back of the head and involve areas where the hair grows in a spiral pattern, leaving part of the scalp that is not covered by the strands of hair like the rest of the hair. . Some people have a double crown, which means there are two points at the back of the head where the hair grows in opposite directions. The hair on the crown usually grows in a clockwise direction.
Male pattern baldness, a receding hairline on the forehead and a bald area on the back of the head, can be caused by genetics and low levels of the hormone testosterone.
A whorl is an area of hair that grows in a circular direction. This most often occurs at the back of the head. Coils and crowns leave areas of the scalp more exposed than other areas of the head, so hairdressers also cut these areas of hair to a length that allows the hair to lie straight and cover the exposed area.
The rest of the human body also exhibits hair growth patterns. A baby in the womb goes through a phase of being covered with soft hair, which falls out about two months before birth. At puberty, hormonal changes cause coarse, coarse hair to appear in the pubic area and under the armpits. Body hair grows much shorter than head hair.