Science has finally figured out why we have curly hair

According to science, human hair seems to protect us from overheating, but extremely curly hair has the advantage.

the existence of the Poetry at the top of the human head Science has baffled me for a long time, because it is this aspect that distinguishes us from all other animals – covered in fur all over their bodies.

As someone pointed out New study“no Functions of the human scalp In the consequences of the difference in their morphology has been studied from the point of view evolutionary“.

One of the experts’ bets relates to hair growth as a method Temperature regulation from our bodies. But what about different hair types (straight, curly, afro…), how do you explain the differences? It will have different styles consequences In terms of temperature regulation?

poetry with Very closed snailswhich is common in many African populations, may have an advantage in reducing heat gain caused by sun exposurewrote one researcher.

Plus, the ubiquitous hairspread with super tight curls is on a continent with Unparalleled genetic diversity It may indicate that the role of scalp morphology may deserve more attention,” he adds.

As a way to test this idea, the team decided to add a thermal dummy to a selection of different styles of Wig: one is straight, one is moderately curly, and one is very curly.

Next, insert the shapes into the one below heat lamps in a climate-controlled room, which allowed them to monitor the heat lost and built up on the heads of different models, in order to understand which hairstyle worked best for them. Calm down.

In the end, they realize that the original thesis He was correct. “Overall, the pattern we observed indicates that solar heat gain occurred in the hairless models,” the team acknowledged. At the same time, those with “straight hair, moderately curly hair, and very curly hair showed a higher score earn from heat descending in this order.

Texture aside, human hair seems to protect us from it High temperaturebut very curly serving feature.

The authors try to explain: like a long fur coat in the animal kingdom, curly hair, Get out of your headThis increases the distance between the tips of the hair and the surface of the scalp.

“The conditions under which humans have evolved in such ways that the process seems to have favored adaptation Water conservation”, in the scientific article he cited IFL Science. A plausible scenario could be the development of extremely curly hair corpse isolation Against heat and reduce water loss, while extending the time individuals can exercise require physical activities before they need water.”

Obviously, three wigs and a thermal mannequin Don’t prove anythingTherefore, the researchers are aware that their work has some limitations.

However, they argue that the results ” Important For professionals trying to understand evolution The first humanoid and later in human populations, providing insight into the specific contexts in which hair, especially curly hair, might be useful“.

“Although we still don’t understand To what extent Scalp with hair can help regulate the temperature of the whole body, and that work provides some of it Preliminary conclusions value,” they concluded.

“This research represents a first step in understanding the relationship between scalp hair and brain and body convection.”