Hair Structure Basics 101



Black hair is naturally dry and prone to breakage, which  can be made much worse by chemicals relaxers and in some cases lead to many women suffering hair loss as such your hair requires care when being handled. The first step to keeping your hair healthy is to understand how your hair actually works, so read on to learn about the fundamentals. 

Structure
When you look for advice on how to best care for your hair, you can get bogged down by not knowing which part is which! This handy guide will clear things up for you…



The cuticle protects the main hair shaft and acts as the outer layer, taking on the outside world! This is made of scale like cells and coated with  sebum, giving your hair that beautiful shine.

The cortex is the thickest layer of hair which gives strength, elasticity and texture.

The hair follicle is the part of the skin that hair grows from.

Source: African American Hair Structure


Sebaceous glands produce oil to moisturise the hair and skin, in this case we mean the sebum that coats the cuticle. 

Melanin is the pigment in the correct that gives hair its colour. 

Now that you’ve leant about the different parts which make up your hair, you’ll know what to look for when you’re looking up the best way to treat your hair. 

Afro hair is elliptical in shape, giving it a unique structure that is more prone to breakage, so it can be even more important to look for tips and tricks on how to make the most of your luscious locks. You can always follow the AfroDeity blog for new articles on what is best for your hair, or check out these 11 UK Natural Hair Vloggers for even more know-how! 

See also our tips on Healthy Hair Growth

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity


Geraldine Scott
AfroDeity Blogger


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