How Much Does Your Hair Weigh? 2021 Edition

Do you know, a single hair strand can carry up to 100 grams of weight. Well, human heads have up to 100,000 hair strands so imagine how much weight they can carry! Interesting isn’t it but that’s all theory. Let’s talk about facts now.

Have you ever wondered how much does your hair weigh? Does it affect your body weight? What is hair made of? What is the anatomy behind hair? And many more such questions are going to be answered below.

How Much Does Your Hair Weigh

There is no exact answer to this question as it varies in every person as it depends upon the hair length, the volume of the hair, hair thickness, etc. Hair doesn’t weigh much, according to many experts, the weight of a single hair strand is 0.3-0.6 milligrams and the average human head has up to 100,000 hair follicles, so a full head of long hair is estimated to weigh between 30 to 60 grams. 

It can vary in different hair as the hair follicles growth majorly differs depending on hair color as well like Brunettes are recorded to have 155,000 estimated average hair follicles while blondes have 140,000 and redheads has least of them all with 85,000.

Does Your Hair Weigh More When It Is Wet?

Yes, of course, your hair weighs more when it is wet. Hair retains water when you come out of the shower. Hair holds some amount of water that depends on hair thickness and length of the hair. Longer and thicker hair will weigh more than compared to short or medium hair. Though it is not possible to say how much weightier hair becomes when wet.

But this wet hair’s weight will not have much effect on the actual hair weight as hair does not absorb a lot of water. Even though you weigh your wet hair it’ll not differ much from dry hair.

Anatomy of Hair

Hair’s anatomy is very interesting if you get to know it. Looking like a lifeless strand, hair does more than what it seems. Hair plays an important role when it comes to appearance be it, women or men. While hair plays other pivotal functions such as regulating body temperature, transmitting sensory information, and protecting the body.

Hair grows from the roots that are located below the hair follicles. The hair follicle starts at the surface of the epidermis and extends into the dermis, which is made of cells of proteins. That protein is called Keratin which is very essential for hair growth, also it makes up nails and is an important protein for the skin.

Layers of A Hair Strand

Let’s look more in detail about hair anatomy. Well hair are made up of three layers –

Let’s look more in detail about hair anatomy. Well, hair is made up of three layers –

• The Cuticle

The hair cuticle is the protective layer of hair that is composed of overlapping cells. This gives hair a shine and protects the inner layers from damage 

• The Cortex

The cortex forms the main bulk and pigment that determines the color of the hair. The cortex is made up of long keratin filaments and its health depend upon the integrity of the protection of the cuticle

• The Medulla

The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair and is only present in thick hair. It consists of a soft, thin core of transparent cells and air spaces.

Phases of the Hair Follicles Cycle

Going into more detail let’s look at the three phases of the hair follicles cycle

• Anagen (Growth Phase)

Anagen is the growing phase of the hair. Most of the hair growth happened at this phase, continuously growing at an inch every three months. It lasts for two to seven years. 

• Catagen (Transitional Phase)

Catagen is a small two weeks phase that occurs when hair follicles begin to shrink. This transitional phase is when hair growth declines as hair follicles are contracted.

• Telogen (Resting Phase)

Telogen is a three-month resting phase. Here your hair growth just halts as the hair shaft detaches from hair follicles. Ordinarily, humans lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day due to this process. New hair pushes the old hair and begins growing.

How to Increase Your Hair Weight

With proper hair treatment and a daily hair routine, you can increase your hair weight and improve your hair quality. With proper hair care and use of certain products that can improve your root, scalp, and hair health. Here are some tips to increase your hair weight

• A healthy diet consisting of rich vitamin, proteins, and nutrients
• Use hair shampoo and conditioner to enhance your hair volume
• Scalp massages with organic hair oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, etc
• Use products that improve hair density

Follow these tips to improve your hair weight

How Should You Measure Hair Weight

Here are some ways to measure your hair weight, follow the instruction properly to weigh your hair

1. Check Your Weight When You are Dry

As discussed above if you check your weight after the shower it will accumulate water retained hair. Though water doesn’t affect much of the weight it does increase it for a pound or so. However, for a precise weight, you should weigh yourself when you are fully dry.

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2. Weigh Yourself Naked

Feeling Shy! But weighing yourself completely dressed in shoes on will increase your weight and will not give an accurate weight. So try to weigh yourself naked or just in boxers or underwear. 

3. Don’t Weigh Yourself Everyday

Your day-to-day weight keeps fluctuating. It depends on meals, you bloat and that may add pounds or two when you weigh yourself. So it is better to weigh yourself every two or three weeks instead of every day.

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Conclusion

Your hair weight will not affect your body weight relatively. But that does not mean your hair is weak, they are strong enough. Hair weighs slightly different when they are wet but there is no significant change. If you think your hair does not weigh much, invest in good products and a proper hair care routine.