The secret of Rapunzel's hair: Scientists explain why some people experience faster hair growth.

For thousands of years, hair and nails have played a central role in human identity and status, reflecting a person's grooming, health, and even social standing. This characteristic became even more apparent during the COVID-19 quarantine when access to salons and stylists was suddenly restricted for millions. However, scientists were intrigued by the fact that some individuals experience much faster hair growth under any circumstances, prompting them to investigate why this occurs, as reported by The Conversation.

Pop icon Taylor Swift admitted that during the pandemic, she cut her own hair, illustrating how deeply ingrained self-care habits are, even among those accustomed to working with stylists. But what happens if we completely stop caring for ourselves? Hair and nails will continue to grow: hair typically grows about 1 centimeter per month, while nails extend roughly 3 millimeters in the same timeframe.

Individual cases demonstrate how much hair and nails can grow if left unchecked. Aliya Nasyrva, dubbed the Ukrainian Rapunzel, holds the record for the longest locks — her hair measures over 257 centimeters. Similarly, Diana Armstrong, a record holder in another category, achieved a staggering nail length of 1,306.58 centimeters, setting a world record. Despite such extreme figures, most people regularly monitor their appearance, influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.

The biology of hair and nails is fundamentally based on keratin — a protein produced by matrix cells beneath the skin. Hair grows from follicles in cycles, alternating between growth, rest, and shedding phases, explains Michelle Moskovitz, a professor of anatomy at UNSW Sydney. In contrast, nails grow sequentially from their matrix, sliding over the nail bed. Age, hormonal changes, and nutrition play crucial roles in the rates of their growth, according to Moskovitz.

Pregnancy often accelerates hair and nail growth, while aging generally slows it down. A deficiency in nutrients, such as zinc or iron, can weaken hair and nails. To this day, there remains a myth that hair and nails continue to grow after death, although this is biologically impossible, the professor states. Dehydration causes the skin to retract, creating the illusion of growth. This phenomenon is well-documented by embalmers, who sometimes use fabric fillers to combat this effect.

Thus, while genetics does influence the rate of hair and nail growth, as it does in all aspects of our lives, ecology, general lifestyle habits, physical activity, nutrition, and overall health are key elements that constantly alter these rates.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For a diagnosis, be sure to consult a doctor.