... the shaft, protruding above the skin, and the root, which is sunk in a follicle, or pit, beneath the skin surface. Except for ... proteins. The hair follicle is a tubelike pocket of the epidermis, (see How Skin Works) that encloses a small section of the dermis ... cortex of the hair. 3In addition, various types of alcohols, which can also dry the hair, are present in most hair ...