The science behind hair
Solving real hair problems with innovative engineering.
The hair lifecycle
- 7 The Lifespan of a hair in years
- 100 Strands which may fall out each day
- 150,000 The number of hairs on a human head
Science, not guesswork
At Dyson, we want to know everything there is to know about hair - down to its chemistry. We're obsessed with hair science and use our research to engineer our haircare technology. No guesswork, no gimmicks, just tried and tested science.
What your hair type means for you
To know your hair’s needs and look after it properly, it can help to understand your hair structure and type. Hair shape is categorised into four broad groups, with each then being split into three subtypes – A, B, C – to describe the intensity of the curl pattern.
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Type 1 A, B, C
Straight to wavy hair. Straighter hair shapes have a round cross-sectional area. This hair type can require more regular washing than other types of hair, to avoid a build-up of oils.
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Type 2 A, B, C
Wavy to curly hair. Type 2 hair has a wavy ’S’ shape with a round cross-sectional area and is flatter than type 1 hair. This hair structure also requires regular washing as oil can progress down the hair strand more easily.
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Type 3 A, B, C
Curly hair with tighter ringlets. Curly hair can experience dryness due to a lack of sebum (our natural oil) across the hair shaft. It’s important not to use excessive heat when styling, to try and retain as much natural oil as possible.
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Type 4 A, B, C
Curly to coily hair. Type 4 hair structure has a flatter, more ellipsoid shape to form tight coils. These can tangle more easily and be fragile when exposed to excessive heat. Type 4 hair can also be washed less regularly.
Hair density vs hair thickness
Hair science doesn’t only come down to shape. Thickness and density also impact the hair chemistry of a strand and the way that hair should be styled. Density is the number of strands you have, while thickness refers to the width of the strand.
If you're not sure what strand width your hair is, take a piece and rub between two fingers. If it feels like cotton, your hair is coarse. If you can barely feel it, your hair is fine.
Avoiding exposure to excessive heat
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Maintaining scalp health
Dyson's Intelligent heat control helps protect scalp health by reducing exposure to excessive heat. Helping to maintain your scalp's moisture levels when styling.
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Retaining moisture
Excessive heat can make hair more porous – meaning it can gain or lose water easily. The imbalance can weaken hair and reduce style retention.
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Preventing breakage
Overexposure to excessive temperatures can weaken the chemistry of hair - no matter the hair type. Losing strength and elasticity over time can make it more prone to breakage.
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Maintaining shine
Hair can look dull, if damaged, as a result of cuticles lifting and scattering light. But when hair is healthy and aligned, it reflects light evenly – appearing shiny.