What is the term for hair that grows in the wrong direction?

The term for hair that grows in the wrong direction is a cowlick. Cowlicks occur when a section of hair grows at an angle, causing it to stick up or lay differently from the surrounding hair. This phenomenon can often be seen at the crown of the head or along the hairline and may result in challenging styling situations.

In contrast, frizz refers to hair that is unmanageable or appears fuzzy and is often a result of humidity or damage. Texture describes the quality or feel of hair, which can be fine, medium, or coarse, but does not relate to the direction in which hair grows. Split ends indicate damage to the hair shaft where the ends of the hair fray or break, but again, this does not involve the growth direction of the hair. Overall, the term cowlick specifically addresses the issue of directional growth.