Wiry Different Hair Strand

Girl who is checking her own hair
Photo: Anetlanda/Shutterstock
Q: I have just noticed I have one single hair strand that is very different from all the rest. My hair is a darkish blonde but this one hair is almost black, very thick and tough and wiry. My hair is quite long and this hair is the same length.
 
I don't understand why I haven't noticed it before. Could it have grown MUCH quicker than all the rest? Is this normal, or does it mean something?
 
A: At this point, with only one hair that is so dramatically unlike the rest, I would consider this to be merely an aberration as opposed to a sign of something more sinister.
 
The point to remember is that each of our individual hair follicles operates as a separate organ in the skin. The hair's rate of growth, wave pattern, texture and color are all individually controlled in each separate hair follicle.
 
If, however, you begin to notice other hairs undergoing such a dramatic change, you should consult your physician for possible causes.
 
As for the development of this hair, it is possible that the rate of growth is much higher than the other hairs around it, but not as fast as you are probably thinking. It is more likely that the hair developed and grew at a more normal rate of progress, but has the different texture and porosity, so that its dramatic difference becomes apparent as a result of it responding differently to your normal hair care routine.
 
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See also:
 
Analyzing your hair
 
Hair diseases
 
I have several strands of hair that are abnormally wavy. Why?