A cowlick is a section of human hair that stands straight up or lies at an angle at odds with the style in which the rest of an individuals hair is worn. It is a pattern of hair growth that differs from the rest of the hair pattern, and it can be recognized by the spiral pattern the hair forms. The most common site of a human cowlick is in the crown, but they can show up anywhere, including the front and back of the head. The term "cowlick" dates from the late 16th century, when physician Richard Haydock used it in his translation of Gian Paolo Lomazzo. Cowlicks are caused by genetics and are typically located at the crown of the head, called a cowlick crown, or along the hairline, particularly centered in the middle of your forehead, called a cowlick hairline. Cowlicks can make styling hair more challenging, but they can also provide volume that can be difficult to replicate without using products and time. To manage cowlicks, people can use hair-care products, grow their hair longer, or use more drastic measures such as electrology, waxing, or cosmetic surgery to permanently alter the cowlick.