Hair cuticles are the outermost layer of a strand of hair and are made from tile-like structures that open and close to let nutrients and pollutants into and out of the hair strand. They protect your hair and scalp, and are also reflective. This is why your hair looks shiny when cuticles are healthy and free from buildup.
And there’s plenty more fun and interesting facts about the hair cuticle, here’s seven of our favorites.
7. The Cuticle is Not Living
Unlike a hair follicle that grows hair, cuticles are made from dead tissue and are not alive. They cannot repair or heal, so it is important to keep them as damage free as possible. Damage to a cuticle includes cracks, and when they get lifted and not smoothed back down.
6. The Cuticle is Responsible for Sun Bleaching with Lemon Juice
Some substances like lemon juice contain citric acid which can lift the cuticle up. Once the cuticle is lifted the UV rays can enter the hair shaft and begin lightening your hair as it impacts the melanin inside. This is also known as sun bleaching which you can learn about here.
But remember, lifting the cuticle can be damaging to it and the inside of the strand, so use hair oils like argan to close, smooth, and seal the cuticle trapping the moisture and healthy nutrients inside, and stopping the sun bleaching process.
5. The Patterns and Textures Change Based on Ethnicity
Cuticle patterns and their lipids change based on your ethnicity. These impact water absorption, the amount of ordered lipids, and how your hair regulates moisture. Asian hair for example has a greater number of cuticle layers and they tend to be thicker than Caucasian hair. And the same study above showed higher incidents of damage in African hair.
4. Damaged Cuticles Can Make Frizzy Hair Worse
Too much moisture and too little can cause your hair to frizz. Damaged cuticles can crack making it harder for your hair to maintain the correct levels, and same with cuticles that are lifted. That’s why healthy cuticles that remain smooth help regulate proper moisture levels which in turn help to keep your hair from frizzing.
3. Hair Cuticles Are Why Hair is Shiny
The cuticles on your hair are reflective when they’re healthy and laying flat. When they reflect light they give your hair the appearance of being shiny and healthy looking. That’s why one of the selling points for multiple hair oils is shiny hair. The oils help to smooth and soothe your hair cuticles keeping them lying flat, and some hair oils provide a protective coating to help keep them down.
2. Hot Showers Can Open Cuticles
There is always going to be a debate on the right water temperature to wash your hair, and how often to wash your hair. One fact remains true, hot water can lift open a hair cuticle, and when it's open it needs to be reclosed. This is especially important in fall and winter when the air is dryer and you may be more inclined to use a hair dryer after a shower.
You don’t have to avoid hot water, including jacuzzis, just use products to rehydrate your hair and help smooth out your cuticles once you’re done.
1. They have Three Layers, Just Like Hair
Your cuticle has three layers just like how they’re the outer layer of the three layers that make up your strand of hair. The hair strand is the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, and a hair cuticle has an A-layer, exocuticle and endocuticle.
Hair cuticles are responsible for much of what we determine as healthy looking hair. Healthy ones lock in and maintain moisture levels so your hair stays hydrated, and they give you movie star-like shine when they lay flat. If you found this fun facts post interesting, join our newsletter below for more like it.
