title: Human hair: a unique physicochemical composite.
abstract: All hair is ethnic. Categorizing diverse hair types into 3 major groups-African, Asian, and Caucasian-makes it easier to recognize characteristics specific to each hair type, such as curliness, color, and cross-sectional parameters. All hair, however, regardless of its ethnic origin, exhibits common characteristics of morphology, chemical makeup, and molecular structure. This article provides a brief review of the salient elements of hair structure, chemistry, and the fundamental interplay that contributes to the properties of the hair fiber and its response to treatments.
authors.affiliation: LJMAW@aol.com
authors.forename: Leszek J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wolfram
mesh_terms: D006197:Hair / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D044469:Racial Groups; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014102:Torsion Abnormality