Classroom Questions

Questions for ‘Science works to demystify hair and help it behave’ 

a photo of a group of multiethnic young adults, some with very coily kinky hair, one with curly hair and one with straight hair

Hair scientists have traditionally focused less on the special needs of naturally curly hair than on other types. That’s starting to change. And what they’re finding could benefit all of us.

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By Science News Explores

To accompany ‘Science works to demystify hair and help it behave’  

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

  1. Besides styling differences, list two ways that hair varies from one person to another. Briefly describe these properties for your own hair.
  2. Describe your hair care routine on a typical day. What is one thing that you love about your hair? What is one challenge you face with your hair?

During Reading:

  1. Describe the hair-related challenges Michelle Gaines discusses in this story.
  2. Name one critical protein from which hair is composed.
  3. What primary characteristic did L’Oréal scientists in France use when they described eight hair groups?
  4. A strand of hair can consist of three primary layers. List those from the outermost layer to the innermost.
  5. Describe how the innermost layer might differ between hair that is very fine compared with a hair strand that is thicker or coarser.
  6. What does the tensile strength of hair refer to? What is one way to test it?
  7. Describe one way people might reduce friction on their hair while they sleep.
  8. How might a shampoo’s pH affect static electricity of hair? What type of pH level would reduce static?
  9. How might tiny bits of protein in hair-care products help to strengthen hair strands?
  10. When devising their hair category system, what factor did Gabriela Daniels and Maxi Heitmeyer consider that hasn’t typically been included in such systems?

After Reading:

  1. Why does Sandra Koch say that assigning “generic ethnic labels” to hair types can prove misleading? Koch goes on to say such labels can even have implications for detectives working a crime case. Imagine a detective discovers a hair sample linked to the perpetrator of a bank robbery case. Based on what you’ve read, how might outdated ethnic labels lead to improperly eliminating suspects? Describe a specific scenario in which such a mistake could occur.
  2. Look at this material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a common hair product. Write down the product’s name and say whether or not you think you’ve ever used it. Then, find the pH for this product in the document. Based on what you’ve read in this story, would you recommend this product to a person with curly, fragile hair? Why or why not? Point to evidence in this story to support your answer.