Why do we have hair?

You can brush it, plait it, or let it go wild. But have you ever wondered why we have hair at all? It turns out hair is a busy little helper.

Hair keeps us cosy

Long ago, before warm clothes, hair helped people stay snug. Hair traps a thin layer of warm air close to your skin, like a soft blanket. That is why animals with thick fur can stay warm in the cold — fur is just lots and lots of hair!

A cushion and a shield

The hair on your head does two jobs at once. It is a soft cushion if you bump your head, and it is a shield against the hot sun on a summer day. It also helps keep your head warm when the wind blows.

Tiny guards for your eyes

Look in a mirror at your eyelashes and eyebrows. These little hairs are guards! Eyelashes catch dust and bits of dirt before they reach your eyes. Eyebrows steer dripping rain and salty sweat away to the sides, so your eyes stay clear and comfy.

Even the tiny hairs inside your nose work hard, catching dust before you breathe it in.

Wonder fact: The hair on your head grows about 1 centimetre every month — that is the length of a small fingernail. Each hair grows for a few years, then rests and falls out, and a brand-new hair grows in its place!