193 Chapter 6 Hair Ethnicity Harold Bryant and Crystal E. Porter L’Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research Abstract Even though the function of hair is thought to be a thermal regulator from an anthropological point of view, to others hair is an expression of oneself and can be viewed as an extension of beauty and socioeconomic status. Overall, the perception of hair beauty is dictated by culture, which directs styles and grooming practices however, differences in hair maintenance are largely influenced by inherent biological and mechanical properties. This chapter discusses the differences in hair, considering ethnic variations and structural characteristics that are unique to different hair types. The reader will gain insight into the vast diversity in hair. Introduction As scientists look to understand natural phenomenon, as a way to explain the past and provide a glimpse of the future, they look for trends and similarities in characteristics that can allow the organization of large groups into smaller subgroups. These arrangements typically start with the obvious, which is to say similarities or dissimilarities in appearance. It is easy to understand why visual cues are always involved in early attempts to organize groups because 80% of the information we process is visual. As more and more data is collected and available research tools are advanced,