A resistant structure between the cuticle and the cortex of human hair

What is it about?

It is a major problem in the field of hair cosmetics that the penetration of various substances is hindered at the interface between the cuticle and the cortex. This study demonstrates that the penetration barrier is not in the cuticle layers or in the cell membrane complex at the interface, but is located beneath the endocuticle of the innermost cuticle layer.

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Why is it important?

Last year the author reported the presence of a resistant structure in human hair (Takahashi, T. and Yoshida, S. A highly resistant structure between cuticle and cortex of human hair, Int. J. Cosm. Sci. 39, 327-336 (2017)). I have continued that study to identify the function and position of that resistant structure.