What term describes the outer part of the hair that protects the inner layers?

The term that describes the outer part of the hair, which serves to protect the inner layers, is indeed the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of overlapping, scale-like cells that create a barrier, shielding the more delicate inner layers of the hair, such as the cortex and medulla.

The cortex is the thick, fibrous part of the hair that is responsible for strength and color, while the medulla is the innermost core, which may be absent in some hair types. The follicle, on the other hand, is the skin structure from which the hair shaft emerges, but it is not a part of the hair itself. Understanding these components is essential for anyone in the field of waxing, as they relate to how hair reacts to different treatments and the overall health of the hair.