cheveu

Cheveu is the French term for a single strand of hair. The plural form cheveux refers to hair collectively on the scalp or body. A cheveu is part of the skin’s appendages formed by keratinized cells that extend from a hair follicle into the surface.

Structure: A hair consists of a shaft, which is the visible part, and a root, embedded in a hair follicle in the skin. The follicle includes the hair bulb and dermal papilla, which supply nutrients via blood vessels. The sebaceous gland nearby secretes sebum to condition the hair; the arrector pili muscle can lift the hair, producing goosebumps.

Growth and cycle: Hair grows in cycles: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). The duration of the anagen phase varies by location and individual, often lasting several years on the scalp and shorter elsewhere. A typical person loses 50–100 hairs per day as part of normal turnover.

Variation and function: Hair color depends on melanin produced in the follicle; texture and thickness reflect keratin structure and follicle shape. Hair serves protective, sensory, and insulating roles and is distributed unevenly across the body, with scalp hair often being longest.

Health and care: Hair health is influenced by genetics, hormones, nutrition, and health status. Gentle care, avoiding excessive processing, and avoiding harsh chemicals support hair integrity. Hair loss can result from several conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, inflammation, or infection, and may be temporary or permanent.