FAQs

What is your hair cuticle?

The outer sheath of each hair strand is the hair cuticle.

What causes hair cuticles to open?

Alkaline substances cause the cuticle to open. Very curly hair structures can also mean that the hair cuticle is slightly open on the outside bend of the curl.

What does hair cuticle look like?

It looks like multiple layers of roof shingle.

What is the cuticle in hair made of?

It’s made of keratin.

What are the types of hair cuticles?

There are damaged and undamaged hair cuticles. They will also be arrayed differently depending on how wavy or curly the hair is.

Can the hair cuticle be repaired?

No. It can be sealed with some conditioners like keratin conditioners.

Do cuticles grow back?

On new hair, the cuticle grows back intact. With certain types of alopecia, however, the cuticle does not regrow.

How do you know if your hair cuticle is damaged?

You can do a hair porosity test to know if your hair is damaged. When your hair is clean and free of conditioner, set a strand in a glass of water. Wait for five minutes to see whether it floats or sinks. If it sinks, your hair is high porosity, meaning the hair cuticle is damaged.

Does shampoo open the hair cuticle?

Unless the bottle states that the shampoo is pH balanced, it is alkaline. So, yes, the shampoo will open the hair cuticle.

How long does it take for hair cuticles to close?

Hair cuticles do not close by themselves. You would need a pH-balanced, or slightly acidic product, to close the hair cuticles after washing or performing another alkaline process. This is why many people use an apple cider vinegar rinse with one part vinegar to seven parts of water.

What causes hair cuticle damage?

Combing or brushing the hair while wet causes the most hair cuticle damage, especially if the hair is swollen with water. Heat and corrosive chemicals also cause cuticle damage.