For humans, haircut,
hairstyle, or hairdo normally describe cutting or styling head
hair. Unlike other animals, human beings of many cultures cut
their hair, rather than letting it grow naturally. Hair styles
are often used to signal cultural, social, and ethnic identity
and can be used to illustrate social status or individuality.
Men and women naturally have the same hair, with the primary
component of hair fiber being keratin. Keratins are proteins,
long chains of amino acids. Generally, hairstyles conform to
cultural influences of gender. Fashion trends may have a great
influence depending on the person.
There is a thriving world market in cut human
hair of sufficient length for wig manufacture and for the production
of training materials for student hairdressers and barbers.
In less developed countries, selling one's hair can be a significant
source of income depending on length, thickness, condition,
and color, wig makers have been known to pay as much as US$40
for a head of hair In the United States, cut hair of at least
10 inches (25 cm) length may be donated to a charity, such as
Locks of Love.
* The New Testament asks "Doth not even
nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is
a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory
to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." (1 Corinthian
* Late evangelist Billy Sunday coined the term "long-haired
men and short-haired women" for his disapproval of the
LGBT people and liberalism.
* In the 17th century, Manchu invaders issued the Queue Order,
requiring Chinese, who traditionally did not cut their hair,
to shave their heads like Manchus. The Chinese resisted. Tens
of thousands of people were killed due to their hairstyle.
* Until the Beatles came along, classical music was called longhaired
music, because a longer style was popular among male orchestral
artists and conductors.
* In 2006, former Virginia Senator George Allen became involved
in a political and racial controversy that turned, in part,
on the difference between a mullet and a Mohawk.