Maryland Barber State Practice Exam

Which hair structure is primarily affected by chemical treatments?

1. The hair shaft

2. The hair follicle

3. The hair cuticle

4. The hair bulb

The correct answer is: The hair cuticle

Chemical treatments mainly affect the hair cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. The cuticle consists of overlapping, scale-like cells that protect the inner structures of the hair. When chemical treatments such as coloring, perming, or relaxing are applied, they typically work by altering the cuticle's structure to allow chemicals to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft, particularly to the cortex, where the hair's color and texture are primarily determined. The cuticle's response to these chemicals is significant because the durability and overall condition of the hair can change based on how well the cuticle is maintained or damaged. If the cuticle is compromised during chemical processing, it can lead to issues such as frizz, breakage, or a loss of luster in the hair. Although the hair shaft and hair bulb are important structures, they are less directly affected during the chemical treatment processes. The hair follicle is responsible for hair growth and anchoring the hair to the scalp, while the hair bulb is the base of the hair follicle that produces hair. These structures are not typically the targets of chemical treatments, which focus more on the superficial layers of the hair to achieve the desired styling results.