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The hair bulb, also known as the hair follicle, plays a crucial role in the hair growth cycle. It is located at the lower end of the hair follicle, deep in the dermis or subcutis. The hair bulb comprises the hair papilla and the matrix. The hair papilla is rich in blood vessels and nutrients that supply the cells of the matrix. Cell division and hair growth take place in the matrix. These processes form the hair and push it outwards through the follicle.
The shape of the hair bulb influences the hair shape; a round bulb leads to straight hair, while an oval one leads to curly hair. The hair bulb is also the place where melanocytes produce melanin, which is responsible for hair color. The life cycle of a hair consists of growth, transition and resting phases, all of which begin in the hair bulb. At the end of the cycle, the hair falls out and a new hair begins to grow.
