More interesting hair trivia

Here's another interesting collection of some fascinating and little known facts about hair and hair care products:
 
Hair is made of keratin, an extremely strong protein, largely responsible for hair health. The thicker the layer of keratin, the healthier the hair.

Ceramides and proteins are found naturally just under the hair cuticle-which lies flat on a shaft of hair, making it look smooth and shiny. When the hair is damaged, ceramides are the first casualty.



The first synthetic dye was invented in 1907. Most permanent dyes use hydrogen peroxide- it softens and breaks down the melanin in the hair, while another chemical paints a new color onto the 'blank' hair.

Camel's hair brushes are not made of camel's hair. They are named after the inventor, a Mr Camel. the brush can actually be made from the fur of oxen, goats, ponies or squirrels.

The very first hair dryers were actually vacuum cleaners adapted for drying hair! The modern dryer, as we know it today was invented in 1890.

Hair styling gel is not a new phenomenon. A vegetable oil mixed with imported resin from pine trees was found on the hair or a naturally mummified 'bog man' found in Dublin, Ireland, dating 300 BC.

The curling iron was developed in 1875 by a Frenchman, Marcel Grateau. Majorie Joyner invented a 'wave machine' patented in 1928, which curled or permed hair for a relatively longer period. Today you can choose from alkaline perms to milder acid ones for curling or straightening hair.

Amino acids are vital proteins that strengthen the hair. During the normal lifespan of three years per strand of hair, the amino acid content decreases by up to 50 percent. So a little care goes a long way.

Brushes were used as early as 2,500, 000 years ago in the cave painting sof Altamira in Spain and Périgod in France. These early paintbrushes were later adapted for hair grooming.

Removing unwanted hair dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks who used abrasion (pumice stones) as a way to remove hair and Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are believed to remove hair by scraping with seashells. The earliest means of chemical hair removal dates back to the ancient Turks, who used a concoction known as "rusma". Rusma is a combination of yellow sulphide of arsenic, quicklime, and rose water.

Also read Interesting hair facts
(Guest Post by Smitha)