Cosmetology · Hair and Scalp Science

What is the technical term for the hair root area where hair growth begins?

  1. A The shaft
  2. B The follicle and papilla
  3. C The cuticle
  4. D The cortex

Why this is the answer

Hair growth begins in the hair follicle, specifically at the papilla — a small cone-shaped structure at the base of the follicle that contains the blood supply and nourishes the growing hair. The portion of hair below the skin is the root; the portion above the skin is the shaft. Damage to the papilla can affect or inhibit hair growth. Understanding the basic structures of the hair root (follicle, bulb, papilla) and the hair shaft is core hair science on the cosmetology exam.
Source: Scientific Concepts — Hair Root Structure