The internal structure of hair
The outermost layer, i.e. what we see of a hair, is the cuticle, the scale layer. Flat dead cells, which lie on top of each other like scales, form this uppermost layer of our hair. That doesn’t sound particularly attractive, but it is a fact. When up to around 150,000 of these cuticle layers on a person’s head are styled into the right shape, it can look really good. Incidentally, the structure of these cell layers also provides information about a person’s state of health: if the cell layers lie flat on top of each other, this forms a smooth surface and makes the hair appear iridescent, full, and shiny. If a person is ill, the cell layers tend to stand out, and the hair appears brittle, dull, and unhealthy. So our hair is always a reflection of our health.
The main part of human hair is the cortex, the fiber stem. It can make up to 80% of the hair. The cortex is a bundle of keratin fibers. These fibers, also known as fibrils, are formed by the linking of individual cortex cells. The connection is created by many cell membranes that act like glue. The healthier the hair, the stronger this membrane connection. The hair becomes tear-resistant and retains its elasticity at the same time.
The third component of the hair is the medulla, the hair marrow. The marrow consists of a mixture of breakdown products from the fiber stem, cell walls, and the body’s own fat.
Hair—from root to tip
Now that we have looked at the internal structure of a hair, let’s take a look at a hair from root to tip. The hair root is located in the lower layers of our skin, in the subcutaneous tissue or dermis. At the upper end of the hair root is the hair follicle (also called the hair sac), which is an elongated invagination of the epidermis that is connected to the hair root at the bottom. The hair shaft is located in the hair follicle, from which the hair can grow upward through the skin.
This is exactly where the hair is formed, in the lower part of the dermis, at the hair papilla. The hair’s keratinocytes are constantly being produced and slowly grow upwards through the hair shaft. Cells located there, known as melanocytes, transfer their pigments to the hair and are responsible for giving our hair its specific color.
However, the hair on our bodies is not always a beloved and beautiful adornment. In some areas of the body, we would gladly do without it. If you would like to know more about permanent hair removal, take a look at these pages. BellaDerma is a recognized specialist center that specializes in permanent hair removal.
