Hair is made up of two main parts: the root and the shaft.
1. Hair Root:
* Hidden: The hair root is the hidden part of the hair, located within the skin.
* Growth Center: It's the living part of the hair, responsible for hair growth.
* Components: It consists of:
* Hair follicle: A tiny, tube-like structure that encases the root.
* Hair bulb: The rounded base of the root, containing the hair papilla (a tiny cluster of cells that provide nutrients) and melanocytes (cells responsible for hair color).
* Hair matrix: A layer of cells that actively divide and form new hair cells.
2. Hair Shaft:
* Visible: The hair shaft is the visible part of the hair, extending from the skin's surface.
* Dead: It's made up of dead cells, which are filled with a protein called keratin.
* Structure: The shaft has three layers:
* Medulla: The innermost layer, not always present in all hair types.
* Cortex: The middle layer, comprising the majority of the shaft and giving hair its strength and elasticity.
* Cuticle: The outermost layer, made up of overlapping scales that protect the shaft and give hair its shine.
In summary:
* The hair root is the hidden and living part of the hair, responsible for growth.
* The hair shaft is the visible and dead part of the hair, made up of keratin.
Understanding the hair root and shaft is crucial for understanding hair growth, health, and styling. It also helps us understand how different hair products work and how to best care for our hair.