A closer look at the cuticle, cortex and medulla. Each individual strand is composed of three distinct layers.
The cuticle or the outermost layer of the hair is a hard, shingle-like layer of over-lapping cells some 5 to 12 deep. It acts as a protective barrier for the softer inner structure and is said to be hydrophobic or water resistant. The cuticle is the first line of defence against all forms of damage.
Cortex - Cortical cells constitute the bulk of a hair, and it is the cortex that gives a hair fiber its eventual shape, resilience, elasticity and curl.
Medulla - Central hollow core of the cortex. The medulla is easily identified as a pale-staining, sometimes discontinuous line of cuboidal cells.
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Heavily
Sprayed
Hair |
Damaged
Cuticle |
Chemically
Relaxed Hair |
Latino
Treated Cuticle |
When the cuticle is damaged, the hair appears dull, tangles easily, and has a rough texture. The more dehydrated and heat damaged the hair cuticle, the duller and frizzier your hair looks. Hair with cuticle damage will wet easily, which means that it absorbs liquids very fast - humidity and moisture cause the hair to frizz. This characteristic, “high porosity” can lead to further damage of the interior layers of the hair.
Keratin is a natural substance which comprises approximately 88% of your hair.
Keratin is a type of protein high in Sulfur and the amino acid cystine, making it tough, elastic and insoluble. These qualities are fundamental to the strong structural role keratin often plays in nature. It is a major component of horns, hooves and wool. In fact, keratin is the main protective substance in our hair, skin and nails.
When it comes to keratin, tough is good. Its strong protective qualities improve the hair both inside and out. Our unique biopolymer ingredient is virtually a “liquid form of hair” that gently blends with the hair on your head. It brings to hair what it was lacking to begin with and what it has lost over the years.
The smaller keratin molecules penetrate the hair cortex improving and repairing the quality of the hair from the inside. The added strength, elasticity and moisture results in the smooth, soft, shiny and straightened affect. The larger molecules coat the hair cuticle and take the environmental insults such as UV rays, smog, and smoke for your hair on the outside. Further damage to the hair shaft is prevented.
