The hair shaft consists of three main parts: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
Hair Structure Breakdown
Here's a more detailed look at each part:
The Cuticle
The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. It is thin, colorless, and acts as a protective shield for the inner layers of the hair.
- Think of it like the shingles on a roof, overlapping to protect the structure underneath.
- It is composed of flat, scale-like cells that help regulate moisture and provide shine.
The Cortex
The cortex is the middle layer of the hair shaft and is responsible for many important characteristics of our hair:
- It gives hair its strength, colour, and texture.
- Melanin, the pigment that determines hair colour, is found within the cortex.
- This layer is the most substantial part of the hair.
The Medulla
The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair shaft. It is not always present in all types of hair:
- It is commonly seen only in large and thick hairs.
- Its exact function is not fully understood but thought to contribute to hair flexibility.
- It may be absent in very fine hair.
| Hair Layer | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cuticle | Outer Layer | Thin, colorless protective layer |
| Cortex | Middle Layer | Provides strength, colour, and texture |
| Medulla | Inner Layer | Present in thick hairs, function not well defined |
These three layers work together to form the structure of each hair on your head. Understanding these layers helps in understanding hair health and how different hair care products work.
