What is the structure of the hair?

What is the structure of the hair?

Marilyn Sherlock (Trichologist) gives expert video advice on: Can you effect the speed of the hair growth cycle?; How long does it take for hair to grow?; How can hair breakage be prevented? and more...

The hair is made up of a cortex, the central core of the hair. Sometimes there is a hollow middle to the hair, which is called the badulla, but it isn't present in all hairs. On the outside there is a protective sheath known as the cuticle. The cuticle is there to protect, to hold moisture; the cortex is the main body: it is elastic, it will bend, it will take in colour, it will take in perms, and that is the sensitive part. Without the cuticle, the cortex can be damaged very readily.