The Genetic Link: How Your Hair Type Affects Your Comfort

A recent study conducted by the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that genetic variants can influence the direction and shape of hair whorls on the scalp. The study examined the whorl patterns on the scalps of approximately 2,000 Chinese individuals and identified four genetic variants that can alter the appearance of hair. Lead investigator Dr. Sijia Wang concluded that hair whorl direction is influenced by multiple genes, suggesting a polygenic inheritance. The study highlights the genetic link to the way in which a person's hair lies on their head.