Have you ever wondered why your hair stands on end? On certain occasions the hair on our body, mainly on the arms, stands up involuntarily, but what is the reason? The reasons why our body sometimes reacts with the famous “hair on end” go back thousands of years. Next we tell you why the hair stands on end and what this popular phrase really means.
What does it mean to have goosebumps?
When we say that our hair stands on end, we are really referring to the hair follicle cell reaction triggered by the sympathetic nervous system. This activity of the follicle, together with a muscular contraction, cause the elevation of the hairs which is called piloerection.
Therefore, behind the famous phrase "my hair stands on end" there is a cellular and muscular activity in our body. But why do the hairs stand on end? What are the main reasons why our body reacts in this way?
Why do the hair stand on end?
As we mentioned before, the reasons why an involuntary capillary activity of this style occurs dates back thousands of years. It is said that we have inherited this function from our ancestors, whose hair stood on end to appear larger to a predator. This also occurs in other species such as cats.
However, today our skin crawls for two very specific reasons. Why do our hair stand on end? Continue reading!
Low temperatures
In the coldest times of the year we notice that our skin bristles more and piloerection occurs more frequently. This has an explanation. For reasons of survival, when our body perceives a drop in temperature, the brain sends a nerve signal to the hair follicles, which rise up favoring the distribution of air currents. Ultimately, it is a natural way to maintain body heat.
Emotions
Another factor that explains why the hair stands on end has to do with emotions. Faced with certain stimuli such as nervous situations, fear or emotion, it is, in these cases, the involuntary release of adrenaline which causes piloerection.
Other curiosities about hair
In the same way that our hair stands on end, there are many other hair curiosities that you didn't even know. Did you know that hair has memory? Or that the hair is actually "dead"?
Although there are many curious facts about it, we must bear in mind that there are also many hair fake news that circulate Do not be fooled!
The importance of caring for hair
Hair is a key part in the aesthetics of men and women. Daily we brush, wash and condition it so that it looks perfect. However, intense hair loss can lower our self-esteem by causing areas without hair or a considerable lack of density. To stop the advance of a alopecia, it is essential to go to a specialized hair clinic where, in addition to receiving a personalized diagnosis, they will recommend how to proceed.
En Hospital Capilar We are experts in medicine and hair surgeries. With presence in Madrid, Murcia and Pontevedra we have medical hair treatments aimed at stopping hair loss and improving its quality, and we also perform hair grafts daily.
Medical hair treatments
Thanks to capillary analysis Before our medical team performs, it is determined which one or the other is the most appropriate, or both combined. En Hospital Capilar we have the Hair Redensification Treatment, or HRT, which stops hair loss by combining adapted drugs and vitamins. It is a subdermal application treatment on the scalp through almost painless microinjections.
On the other hand, there is the Capillary Regeneration Treatment, or CRT. It is a treatment, also for subdermal application, that promotes hair regeneration thanks to the rich growth factors contained in the patient's own blood plasma.
Hair transplant in Spain, the solution to baldness
The maintenance hair treatments mentioned above are perfect for stopping hair loss and maintaining it. However, in no case will they make hair grow back in those areas where it stopped growing naturally. The only method to recover lost hair due to alopecia is hair grafting in Spain. It is an outpatient, minimally invasive technique that leaves no visible scars. It consists of the individual extraction of the follicular units from the area that is not affected by alopecia to subsequently implant them in the recipient area. This can be on the ground, on objects, or in some instances, on humans.
Lightning, storms, and hair
"Charge builds on the earth, and opposite charge builds in the clouds." These charges look for a way to meet one another because opposites attract, Kelly says. The attraction between the electric particles within the thunderstorm cloud and on the surface of the earth or human build a static charge which begins to 'pull' towards one another and in some instances, results in people's hair beginning to rise. Kelly experienced this firsthand when she was younger. "I was near a lake," she says. "A thunderstorm was building and approaching, but the winds were calm. We noticed hair strands starting to rise on one another's heads and on our arms. This was a quick indication that danger was nearby, and it was time to head indoors."
Lightning facts
Lightning is hot. Really hot. A lightning bolt can heat the air around it to make it five times hotter than the surface of the sun. There are approximately 100 lightning strikes every second globally. That works out to about 8 million lightning strikes a day. Canada sees an average of 2.25 million lightning strikes per year.
Lightning safety tips
- Stay away from windows.
- Unplug appliances.
- Avoid running tap water -- lightning can travel through pipes.
- Try to reach a safe building or vehicle (picnic shelters, dugouts, and sheds are NOT considered safe).
- Avoid high ground, water, tall, isolated trees, and metal objects such as fences or bleachers.
- If you are out on the water, get to land and find shelter immediately.
- If someone is struck by lightning Call for help / dial 911. The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned or have other injuries. Give first aid. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR.
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Environment Canada offers a 30-30 rule. If you can count 30 seconds or less between seeing a lightning flash and hearing the thunder, take shelter and stay there until 30 minutes after you last hear thunder.