A hair follicle is a small, tube-like structure in the skin that produces hair. Each follicle is anchored in the dermis layer and contains cells that divide and grow to form hair strands. The follicle also has sebaceous glands that produce oil, helping to keep the hair and scalp moisturized. Hair follicles are essential for hair growth and can be affected by various factors, including genetics, hormones, and health conditions. They play a crucial role in the hair growth cycle, which includes phases such as anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting).