The hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair shaft.^[1] It is a hard shingle-like layer of over lapping cells, some five to twelve deep. It is formed from dead cells which form scales that gives the hair shaft strength and do the best job of providing protection for it. ^[2] The hair cuticle is the first like of defense against all forms of damage; it acts as a protective barrier for the softer inner struture including the medulla and cortex. The cuticle is responsible for much of the mechanical strength of the hair fiber. A healthy cuticle is more than just a protective layer, as the cuticle also represents the structure that controls the water content of the fiber. Much of the shine that makes healthy hair so attractive is due to the cuticle. ^[3]The hair cuticle is also said to be water resistant. ^[4]
Cuticles are often damaged by excessive mechanical manipulation such as brushing, using heat (like using curling irons) or chemical processing (like perms or texturizers). Every day elements, such as the sun or wind can also cause wear and tear on your hair and damage the hair cuticles as well.^[5] Although the cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair, it does not give the hair its color because it contains not melanin (pigment), which is what is responsible for an individuals hair; the color of a person's hair depends on what type of melanin they have which is found in the cortex. ^[6] Also cuticle cells may be elongate, acuminate (gradually tapering to a point), ovate (egg shaped), or flattened.

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v • d • e Integumentary system (TA A16, GA 10.1062) Skin Epidermis Stratum corneum · Stratum lucidum · Stratum granulosum · Stratum spinosum · Stratum germinativum (basale) Basement membrane zone Basal keratinocyte · Lamina lucida · Lamina densa Dermis Papillary · Reticular Subcutaneous tissue Panniculus adiposus · Panniculus carnosus · Stratum membranosum · Loose connective tissue · Superficial fascia Adnexa Glands Sweat glands: Apocrine · Eccrine Sebaceous Hair Outer root sheath Inner root sheath Shaft Cuticle · Cortex · Medulla · Bulb with matrix cells · Hair papilla Muscle Arrector pili Nail Matrix · Lunula · Nail plate · Eponychium · Paronychium · Hyponychium Other Skin flora integument, SF, LCT navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc skin appendage navs: anat, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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