New book reveals everything you want to know about hair, then some

August 8, 2012 Filed under PRESS RELEASES Posted by admin

“HAIR The Long and the Short of It” will leave both male and female readers with a sense of wonderment and appreciation the next time they fuss with their hair

(PR NewsChannel) / August 8, 2012 / MOULTONBOROUGH, N.H. / “HAIR The Long and the Short of It” (ISBN 1467953571) provides readers with an accessible, non-technical, informative and often lively look at the unique aspects of human hair. In a book like none other on the subject, author Arthur H. Neufeld, Ph.D. takes readers on a science-based yet easily understandable journey that examines everything from the evolution of hair, to balding, to what happens at the hair salon when one chooses to color their hair.

The book begins by explaining the differences between hair and fur, pointing out that humans are the only mammals with continuously growing hair on their heads, an important observation given that the list of characteristics differentiating humans from their nearest animal relative, the chimpanzee, is not long.

Neufeld describes the construction and growth of hair, calling it one of the marvels of the human body, especially considering that hair is a dead structure. He goes on to put into plain words how hair changed as humans evolved, why all humans go gray, and whether or not Marie Antoinette Syndrome is a real medical condition.

In “HAIR,” Neufeld also answers many fascinating questions. What makes hair curly, wavy or straight? What happens when you do your hair in a specific shape or style? What about types of hair – African, Asian and European and the fact that almost worldwide, human hair is naturally dark brown or black?

All of these topics, along with the history of barbers, nasty critters that get in your hair and many historical, mythical and religious tales about hair are presented in this new book, the genesis of which stemmed from Neufeld wondering aloud to an anthropologist friend about the evolutionary occurrence that provided humans with continuously growing head hair. The two researched the field, developed a theory and published the observation in “Evolutionary Anthropology,” which has since been referenced in a number of textbooks on evolution.

“HAIR The Long and the Short of It” is available at Amazon.com and other channels.

About the Author: Arthur H. Neufeld, Ph.D. was a research scientist for more than four decades, serving on the medical school faculties of Yale, Harvard, Washington University in St. Louis and Northwestern. His research specialized in diseases of the eyes of the elderly. After retiring in 2009, Neufeld has accomplished one of his personal goals: to enlighten the world about hair. He currently lives in New Hampshire, and enjoys spending time with his family on Lake Winnipesaukee.