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The Composition of Hair Explained

What is Hair Made of?

What is your hair made of? While everyone has unique strands—otherwise we could all use the same products with similar results—all strands are made up of the same basic components. Here, we’ll break down a diagram of a hair strand so you can see what’s going on inside your hair.

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Your hair shaft is composed of three basic layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. This shaft makes up everything about your hair, from how smooth or frizzy it is to the color to the shape. So let’s unravel each layer, and what they’re for.

The Hair Shaft

The cuticle is the outermost layer of a hair strand. Under a microscope, it appears to have overlapping scales (like those of a fish). These translucent scales protect the rest of the strand from damage. Ideally, we want the cuticle to be lying flat, with the scales tight to the cortex (more on that below). With damage, age, or drier hair types, the cuticle scales can become lifted, leading to more breakage, split ends, and frizz.

The Cuticle

The cortex the middle layer of a hair shaft, and the thickest, made up of long strands of keratin spindles. It’s responsible for your hair’s color, whether you’re rocking your natural pigment, or you’ve dyed your hair. It’s also what gives your hair its shape, from straight to curly and coily.

The Cortex

The medulla is at the very center of your hair… if it’s there. Some strands have it, some strands don’t, and the thicker the strand, the more likely you’ll find a medulla in it. The truth is, we actually don’t know exactly what the medulla does, but there’s speculation that it has something to do with moisture. There are still some mysteries left to be solved!

Want to know more about what makes your hair, your hair? Learn more about the science behind the strands at our [Tips & Tricks](/articles/).

The Medulla

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High or Low? How to Do a Hair Porosity Test

Why do some people seem to have effortlessly sleek strands, while others deal with dryness and frizz? The answer lies I hair porosity: your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Finding the right products for your hair porosity, whether it’s high, medium, or low, can help you unlock your hair’s vibrant potential. Read on to learn quick hair porosity tests... 

What Type of Hair Do I Have?

Knowing your hair type can help you maintain and take care of it. Some hair does better with certain types of products, so being able to answer the question “what is my hair type?” can save you a lot of trouble... 

Know Your Hair Type & Tips for Hair Care

The Ultimate Curl Pattern Chart & Hair Type Care Guide

From bouncy waves to big, beautiful ringlets, no two curls are exactly alike. But curls do tend to fall in a pattern, from loose waves to tight coils and everything in between. Here, we’ll explo ... 