Textured Hair Glossary
Plain-English definitions for porosity, traction alopecia, breakage, sebum, cuticle, cortex, melanocyte, protective styling and more.
Breakage
Physical snapping of the hair fiber. Different from shedding, where a full strand exits the follicle.
Cuticle
The outer scale-like layer of the hair shaft that helps protect the inner fiber.
Cortex
The main structural region of the hair shaft, rich in keratin and containing pigment granules.
Melanocyte
A pigment-producing cell involved in supplying melanin to the growing hair.
Porosity
A practical description of how readily a hair fiber takes up and releases water or other substances; influenced by cuticle condition and damage history.
Sebum
Oil produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. On tightly curved hair, distribution along the full strand can be uneven.
Traction alopecia
Hair loss associated with repeated pulling on the follicles from tight or heavy styles.
Protective style
A style intended to reduce manipulation or protect ends. It is only protective when it does not create damaging tension or friction.
Length retention
The amount of grown hair that remains on the head because breakage is minimized.