Hair-raising Facts: 10 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Hair

Hair. We cut it, style it, colour it—and sometimes curse it. But how much do we really know about it?

Most of us think of hair as just a part of our look, something to manage every morning or shape at the barber’s chair. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s a lot going on.

Hair is a living record of our health, habits, and heritage. It’s also surprisingly resilient, weirdly scientific, and sometimes just plain bizarre.

In this article, we’re sharing 10 surprising facts about hair that’ll make you rethink your next wash or trim. From its mysterious growth cycles to how stress, diet, and even the weather affect it, there’s more to your strands than meets the eye.

If you are looking for barber supplies online, check out our website for the best supplies in town.

At Barber Supply Australia, we’re all about helping professionals stay sharp and informed. Because when you understand the finer details of hair, you can work with it. Ready to be surprised? Let’s get straight into it.

#1 Each Hair Strand Contains Our Life Information

If you do a check on one of your hair strands in the forensic – scientists will be able to tell you what you ate, drank, your composition of your blood and even the environment you lived in!

Hair contains our DNA. Only gender is unrecognisable through the hair.

#2 Blow Drying Alters the Shape of Our Hair

Have you noticed when we take a shower, our hair looks different? This is because water changes the hydrogen bonds of the hair. When left to dry on its own or blow dried – the shape changes.

Humidity changes the silkiness of your hair. Now you know why!

Explore the complete guide to the best barber supplies in Australia.

#3 Red Hair is the Most Uncommon Hair Colour

While black is the most common hair colour, red consists of 1% of the world population. Blonde hair makes 2% of the world population.

#4 The Lifespan of a Hair

5 years! Even though we shed a lot of hair every day, a hair has a 5-year lifespan.

#5 One Single Strand of Hair Can Carry 100gms

Hair contains protein – making it very strong. While one hair can carry 100gms, the collective strength of all the hairs on a head is estimated to be 12 tons.

#6 Wet Hair is More Elastic than Normal Hair

You might have often found that your wet hair is longer than the natural length. Here is why – hair when wet can stretch upto 30% more than its natural elasticity!

#7 Hair Works as a Natural Sponge

Hair can absorb oil from the water and is often used by eco-friendly groups to clean up oil spills in the oceans.

Understand how to choose the best barber supplies online.

#8 Elvis’ Hair on Auction

A baseball sized clump of hair was sold for $72,000 by Elvis Presley’s barber at an auction. Another time, it was sold for $15,000. Never imagined, the hair was soo costly?!

#9 Hair is a Dead Cell of Our Body

All the hair that we see are dead. Only the ones which are inside our scalp is alive. Hence, what we eat directly affects our hair health!

#10 Hair Grows the Fastest in Our Body!

Hair is the second fastest growing tissue in our body. The fastest growing tissue is bone marrow.

Apart from style, hair tells a story. It’s a record of what we eat, how we live, and even what we’ve been through. Who knew that something so ordinary could be so layered with meaning?

From how fast it grows to why it falls out, hair holds secrets most people never think twice about. And once you start learning about it, it’s hard not to look at every strand a little differently.

At Barber Supply Australia, we don’t just offer tools—we back you with insights that matter. With quality barber supplies in Australia, we make sure professionals stay one step ahead.

So the next time someone sits in your chair, throw in a hair fact or two. It might start with a trim, but it can lead to a great chat—and a loyal client. Because in this business, knowing your craft inside and out makes all the difference.

And sometimes, the smallest facts make the biggest impression!