What Are Hair Growth Patterns

Having an idea of your hair growth patterns can go a long way in relieving the anxiety involved with getting a haircut.  Hairstylists are guilty for assuming that a haircut will look great on a client before checking how their hair grows.  While you may still be able to get the haircut or style, some adjustment may have to be done in terms of length, where a parting has to fall etc.  I cannot count how many times have I had to inform a client that the extensions she wants cannot be put near the crown of her head because the hair naturally parts there and will expose the addition.

There are several types of hair growth patterns:

• Cowlick:  this is when a section of hair grows in a particular direction.  If it is cut too short, it stands on end and sticks out from the rest.  It usually appears at the front hairline and it is hard to change its direction.
• Whorl:  is a circular area of hair growth on the head.  I once had a client who had multiple whorls on his head.  Every time we cut his hair it was an adventure!  Most times there is only one or two but it is important to try and cut the hair following its direction.  When doing hair extensions and this occurs in the crown, one has to see where it opens or the extension will be exposed.  In older clients it will be like someone parted the hair at the middle of the head.
• Double Crown:  this is when there are two whorls at the top of the head.  It makes styling the hair a bit difficult but if you work with it, the hair will settle into some order.
•  Widows Peak:  appears as a “v” shape to the front hairline.  It is a very strong outline which remains even when the person may have lost hair on the front two sides.
• Duck Tail:  is when the hairline at the nape is in a “v” shape.  It is very important to ask if the client likes to have this removed as it can be annoying to grow back.

In my experience, these hair patterns are a real indicator whether a client will have a hyper growth area or male/female pattern baldness in sections of the head.  Where there is hair loss they feel a product will stop the loss but in most cases it is genetic.  To combat this, some go for implantation.  Others opt for hair extensions or wigs, but whatever the answer, hair growth patterns happen to all races, textures and colors.  On super curly hair it might not be evident unless the client has a fade, but it is there.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Buy my e-book:  Dreadlocks:  A Hairstylist’s Manifest ( Silkielocks.com, Amazon.com

Having an idea of your hair growth patterns can go a long way in relieving the anxiety involved with getting a haircut.  Hairstylists are guilty for assuming that a haircut will look great on a client before checking how their hair grows.  While you may still be able to get the haircut or style, some adjustment may have to be done in terms of length, where a parting has to fall etc.  I cannot count how many times have I had to inform a client that the extensions she wants cannot be put near the crown of her head because the hair naturally parts there and will expose the addition.

There are several types of hair growth patterns:

• Cowlick:  this is when a section of hair grows in a particular direction.  If it is cut too short, it stands on end and sticks out from the rest.  It usually appears at the front hairline and it is hard to change its direction.
• Whorl:  is a circular area of hair growth on the head.  I once had a client who had multiple whorls on his head.  Every time we cut his hair it was an adventure!  Most times there is only one or two but it is important to try and cut the hair following its direction.  When doing hair extensions and this occurs in the crown, one has to see where it opens or the extension will be exposed.  In older clients it will be like someone parted the hair at the middle of the head.
• Double Crown:  this is when there are two whorls at the top of the head.  It makes styling the hair a bit difficult but if you work with it, the hair will settle into some order.
•  Widows Peak:     this is when there is a “v” shape to the front hairline.  It is a very strong outline which remains even when the person may have lost hair on the front two sides.
• Duck Tail:  is when the hairline at the nape is in a “v” shape.  It is very important to ask if the client likes to have this removed as it can be annoying to grow back.

In my experience, these hair patterns are a real indicator whether a client will have a hyper growth area or male/female pattern baldness in sections of the head.  Where there is hair loss they feel a product will stop the loss but in most cases it is genetic.  To combat this, some go for implantation.  Others opt for hair extensions or wigs, but whatever the answer, hair growth patterns happen to all races, textures and colors.  On super curly hair it might not be evident unless the client has a fade, but it is there.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Buy my e-book:  Dreadlocks:  A Hairstylist’s Manifest ( Silkielocks.com, Amazon.com