Laser Technician IBEC Board Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The cortex is the layer of hair that contains melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the color of the hair. The cortex is the thick, fibrous middle layer that provides strength and elasticity to the hair strand. Melanin is synthesized within the cortex and varies in type and amount, which results in different hair colors ranging from blonde to black.

The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft and is primarily made up of overlapping, scale-like cells that protect the inner layers. While it contributes to the overall aesthetics of hair, it does not contain melanin.

The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair shaft that may be present in larger hairs but does not play a significant role in hair color as it is often either absent or fragmented.

The dermis is a layer of skin that supports hair follicles but is not part of the hair structure itself and, therefore, does not contain melanin.

Understanding the structure of hair is crucial for laser technicians, as the presence of melanin in the cortex affects how hair absorbs laser energy for hair removal treatments.