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Hair Strand/Hair fiber
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Another part of the matured hair strand that was mentioned in the previous article is the hair shaft.
The hair shaft grows and extends from the follicle. The shaft is visible because it protrudes above
our skin´s surface. A matured hair strand is composed of dead cells. Some of the materials that make
up these dead cells include: keratins, binding materials, and small amounts of water. Forming a protective
layer on the surface of the epidermis, hair strands defend the epidermis against injury, insect bites, and
electromagnetic rays. Hair fibers consist of three layers: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
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| Cuticle
Also known as the outermost layer, the cuticle´s primary function is to prevent the inner structures
of the hair shaft from losing moisture. The cuticle serves to create a barrier from elements, chemicals,
other liquids, and heat. The strength of the hair strand depends heavily upon the condition of the cuticle.
Another important function of the cuticle is to act as an indicator to the health of your hair. An intact
cuticle feels smooth and silky while a damaged cuticle feels brittle and rough.
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Fact: Changing the hair pattern can
significantly alter a person´s appearance.
Fact: Hair plays an important role
in social communication. An abundance/lack of hair can have
psychological trauma and emotional effects on some people. |
Lying tightly against the cortex, the cuticle is composed of several layers of
transparent scale-like cells, granules. The cuticle primarily consists of overlapping,
keratinized, granules which are found in rows. The number of layers a cuticle has determines
the diameter of the hair fiber. | |
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Below are some examples of how the cuticle can be described when looking at the
hair shaft under the microscope.
Roof shingles
Stacked paper or plastic cups
Snake´s skin
Cortex
The next layer of the hair strand is the cortex. Forming the bulk of our hair, the cortex
is made of strands of keratin and is found on the middle of the hair strand. The cortex also
contains melanin which provides color to the hair. Some of the cortex´s responsibilities include:
storage of oils, elasticity, shaping of our locks, and flexibility. |
More Interesting Facts |
Most of the weight of the hair comes from the cortex. |
The cuticle can be distinguished from the cortex because it
has a colorless appearance. |
When the cortex has been exposed the hair tends to be
dry and dull looking. |
The hair fiber is susceptible to damage when cuticle breakage occur.
Our locks becomes weak, unmanageable,brittle, and lifeless. |
| « Hair Root Cont. |
| »Hair Shaft Cont. |
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