What is Hair Cuticle? A Comprehensive Guide

 

Is your hair looking dull or a bit rough? Damaged hair cuticles could be the culprit! This part of your hair has a big responsibility — it's your hair's protective layer.

An unhealthy hair cuticle might not seem like a big deal. But it can have noticeable effects on your hair health. Let’s dive into the details of this crucial part of every hair strand on your head!

What Is a Hair Cuticle?

In simple terms, the cuticle is the outermost layer of a hair strand. Every hair cuticle has scaly, overlapping cells covering the entire strand. These dead cells protect the inner layers of your hair, which include:

• Medula: Innermost layer

• Cortex: Middle layer containing lipids and keratin proteins

You can think of a cuticle as a kind of armor that helps keep the more delicate layers of your hair safe from chemicals, the sun's rays — and other sources of damage.

Note that a hair cuticle and hair follicle are two different things. Follicles are at the root of hair strands under your skin. Cuticles are above your skin around the hair shaft.

Why Hair Cuticle Health Matters So Much

The cuticle is the most visible part of your hair. That's what gives your hair its luster and keeps it strong. Cuticle damage can make your hair look rough or dull instead of shiny and smooth.

Hair strength

As the external layer, the cuticle helps your hair strands stay strong and less prone to breakage. These dead cells covering each strand of hair act as a shield against damage.

Hair shine

Healthy cuticles also mean shiny hair! When they're in good shape, they have a smooth appearance that reflects light—creating a beautiful sheen.

Hair moisture

Hair cuticles help your hair retain moisture—preventing dryness. A damaged cuticle makes it more difficult for your hair to stay hydrated.

Common hair damage issues

What happens if you have damaged cuticles? This can lead to all sorts of problems, such as:

• Split ends

• Frizzy hair strands

• More hair breakage

• Dry hair with a dull appearance

What Factors Affect Hair Cuticle Health?

Do you have cuticle damage? This can happen for many reasons. But the main factors that can change your hair health include all the following.

Environmental damage

Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Or in humid environments? Different environmental factors can cause hair cuticle damage, such as:

• Windy conditions

• Cold weather

• Excess moisture or humidity in the air

• UV rays from the sun

• Hot water

Chemical treatments

Do you color your hair? Chemical treatments, such as hair dye, can end up causing damage to cuticles. These products can make it hard for this outermost layer to stay closed.

Remember that the cuticle protects the underlying cortex and medulla—when it opens up, these inner layers are at risk of damage.

Mechanical damage

Do you brush your hair gently or roughly? Do you tend to use a hair dryer? Mechanical damage can happen from things like:

• Brushing your hair roughly

• Using a brush with harsh bristles

• Blow-drying your hair often

• Using curling irons or other heat-styling tools often

Mechanical damage leaves the outer layer of hair strands dull and more likely to break.

How Can You Protect This Protective Layer?

Now that you know how cuticles guard the deeper layers of your hair, what can you do to prevent damage? There are several ways to keep this protective barrier in good shape! We'll go over some tips and products you might want to try.

Hair care tips to try

To take excellent care of your hair and reduce the risk of damaged cuticles, try the following:

• Brush your hair gently

• Wash your hair with warm water, instead of hot water

• Limit the use of hot tools and hair dryers

• Consider cutting back on chemical treatments if they're damaging the cuticle layer

Recommended hair products for healthy cuticles

Already dealing with cuticle damage? Or worried about developing unhealthy cuticles? Try using products that help keep your hair healthy, such as:

• Shampoos and conditioners that balance your hair's pH

• Glossing treatment to reverse damage to treated hair

• Sulfate-free, leave-in treatments designed to improve hair health

• Hair masks to hydrate cuticles for low-porosity hair

• Hair serums designed to provide high-porosity hair with more moisture

Benefits of Sleeping on Silk for Healthy Hair Cuticles

Did you know there's a very simple way to keep your hair cells healthy? It doesn't require you to add any tasks to your hair and skin routine. All you need to do is add a silk pillowcase to your bed!

Silk gives your hair the perfect surface to sleep on. Whether you have fine hair or thicker hair types, sleeping on silk can keep the cuticle layer strong and healthy! Let's explore some of silk's best benefits for your hair.

Reduced friction

Ever sleep on a cotton pillowcase? Or one made of nylon or other synthetic materials? Did you wake up with frizzy hair? That's due to all the friction these materials have as your hair strands rub against them.

But silk doesn't have this effect. Instead, it gives your hair a much smoother surface that doesn't pull at it. This helps keep your hair protected from frizz, so you don't wake up with bedhead!

Hair hydration

What else does silk do for your hair? It helps your hair stay hydrated for a shinier, stronger, and healthier appearance!

Your hair has natural oils, like the sebum that coats hair cuticles. Chemical processes and other factors can strip away these oils. Some materials can also absorb them, leaving you with dry, dull hair.

Silk pillowcases won't steal these oils from your cuticle layers as other fabrics do.

Other ways silk benefits your hair and skin

Silk's proteins help boost hair and skin health in other ways, such as:

• Reduces the risk of tangles

• Lowers the risk of hair breakage

• Keeps skin hydrated

• Hypoallergenic

• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines

And these benefits aren't just for certain hair types. Silk's benefits help your hair stay healthy—whether it's fine and straight or thick and curly!

Let Blissy Help You Maintain Healthy Hair!

Ready to keep hair cuticles in good shape, so they can protect your hair? Now you've got several tips to try as part of your hair care routine! But you can also benefit your hair even more with Blissy Silk Pillowcases and our other silk products.

Each Blissy product is made of pure mulberry silk that provides tons of benefits for your hair and skin. Visit Blissy today to browse silk pillowcases, bonnets—and more!