Ever had a bad hair day? Of course you have, everyone has! Those “bad hair days” are actually caused by cowlicks. Cowlicks can be stubborn to get rid of or hide, and sometimes you just have to try and deal with the mop on top. They can be such trouble to try and tame, so if you’ve had enough of your unruly hair, here are five ways to deal with that cowlick.
What is a Cowlick?
A cowlick is a section of hair that grows in a different direction to the rest of your hair. You know when your hair won’t go in the direction you want it, or it just sticks up and out of your head? Yeah, that’s a cowlick. The name “cowlick” comes from Dr Richard Haydocke in the 16th century, who described the hairstyle as if a cow had licked their calf’s head, resulting in hair going against its natural grain. It makes sense, really. Cowlicks are incredibly common, and scientists are studying to find out what causes them.
Are Cowlicks Genetic?
Cowlicks are thought to be genetic, meaning there’s no way to simply remove it, unfortunately. It’s thought that cowlicks “stem from a circular arrangement of the collagen fibres in the cranial fascia of the areas in the cowlick”. In Laymen’s terms, this means that your hair has different collagen fibres, making some hair go with the grain, others go against the grain. This cluster of hair is more distinguishable for people with thick, straight hair. In good news, both men and women are victims of this; however, women can easily hide it with their long hair.
Does Everyone Have a Cowlick?
According to scientists, everyone has a cowlick of some sort. Of course, some are more obvious than others, but we all have them. Many people have two cowlicks on their heads. You can find cowlicks at the crown of your head, the hairline itself or even in the fringe. There have been so many studies about cowlicks, and they all pretty much conclude that everyone has one. Some say that if you’re right-handed, the whorl is more likely to go clockwise, and if you’re left-handed, your swirl will go counter-clockwise. Who knew!
How To Get Rid Of A Cowlick
- Get your hands on some heavy-duty pomade.
- Shampoo your hair less often.
- Don’t be afraid to try new hairstyles that camouflage the cowlick
- Head to the barber and get them to remove the cowlick permanently.
- Embrace what you have. Having a cowlick can look super sexy, so don’t feel like you have to change!
