Hair structure consists of three main parts: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer, made up of overlapping, scale-like cells that protect the inner layers. The cortex, located beneath the cuticle, contains fibrous proteins and melanin, which gives hair its strength and color. The medulla is the innermost layer, though not all hair types have this part.
Each hair strand grows from a follicle, which is a tiny pocket in the skin. The health of hair is influenced by factors like nutrition, hygiene, and genetics. Understanding hair structure can help in choosing the right hair care products for different hair types.