Cowlick



A cowlick appears when the growth direction of the hair forms a spiral pattern. The hair in a cowlick either stands straight up or lies at an extreme angle and seems to be always at odds with the style in which the rest of the hair is worn. They can show up anywhere. The most common site is in the crown like the one belonging to Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer of the “Our Gang” comedy series of the 1930s and 1940s, or on Dennis the Menace.

The term cowlick dates from the late 16th century, when Richard Haydocke used it in his translation of Lomazzo: "The lockes or plaine feakes of haire called cow-lickes, are made turning upwards." Also, the Latin word "calyx" is often pronounced this way and literally means a whorled look or appearance on something, and the "cowlick" always has a whorled appearance.

Management
Many people find Cowlicks to be extremely irritating, as they often conflict with the desired hairstyle. There are several methods of taming the unruly cowlick. For most people, a combination of the right hairstyle, length, product used, and styling technique can overcome the appearance. For people more serious about cowlick management, more drastic measures may be used. Electrology, waxing, and even cosmetic surgery can be used to more permanently correct the cowlick.