What IS the difference between african american hair and caucasian hair? Why is it that way?

Question

I mean, I KNOW there is a difference, but whats the explanation on the difference of their hair?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

1 - cross section.
2 - rate of growth.
read below:

1 -

when you look at a cross-section of hair, the shape of the cross section tells you a lot about what the hair will "do"....

african americans (and anyone with curly hair) have an oval cross-section, which means their hair has MORE surface area. what that means is, there is MORE surface to be damaged, and LESS safe hair on the inside. (people with straight hair have a round cross section, which minimizes surface area, and maximizes the protected interior of the hair.)

also... that oval cross section means that across the short side of the oval, the hair is thinner and more prone to breakage.

2 -

another thing about african-american hair.... genetically, it grows more slowly than caucasian hair. slow growth means more older, damaged hair, and less new, healthy hair to replace it.

i am a polymer chemist who has studied this stuff in yarns... the same principles apply to hair. it's really unfair, isn't it? take heart, black girls: i am white but have the frizziest, coarsest, most damaged hair of all time.

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Answer 2

probably because the climates were different originally, hair adapted and stays that way.

Answer 3

The shape of the hair follicle. Black people have a curly shape. While white people tend to have a straighter hair follicle.

Answer 4

Caucasion hair is supposed to be stronger. African american hair is usually more dry and brittle and they need the oils from the products they use to help keep it strong. That;s what my best friend told me, she's african american.

Answer 5

Caucasian hair has natural oil glands which makes their hair grow faster and longer than African American hair. African American hair doesn't have those natural oil glands which forces us to use grease. But with the proper hair care and proper product use or hair can be long like theirs. African American hair is also thicker than Caucasian hair. hopes this is a good explanation.