Keratin Keratin Keratin () is one of a family of fibrous structural proteins. It is the key structural material making up hair, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of human skin. Keratin is also the protein that protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. The only other biological matter known to approximate the toughness of keratinized tissue is chitin. Keratin derives from Greek ' from '
History of removal of leg and underarm hair in the United States American women aged 15–44 routinely shaved their legs. A century after these ad campaigns started, removal of leg and underarm hair by women in the U.S. is tremendously pervasive and lack of its removal is taboo. An estimated 80%-99% of American women today remove hair from their bodies. Celebrity unshaven armpit appearances started to make headlines. For example, this was the case with actress Julia Roberts who sported unshaven underarms at the Notting Hill movie premiere in 1999. Anne Robinson, a presenter British television show The Weakest Link, received a similar reaction after she revealed underarm hair on air in