New York State Barber Practice Exam 2026 - Free Barber Licensing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The function of the hair follicle is primarily to produce hair. Each hair follicle is a complex structure located in the dermal layer of the skin that surrounds the hair shaft. It plays a crucial role in the hair growth cycle by generating new hair cells. These cells are produced in the bulb of the follicle and undergo a process of keratinization, where they fill with keratin, a protein that makes up the hair structure.

While nutrients are essential for hair health and growth, they are delivered through the blood vessels surrounding the hair follicle rather than by the follicle itself. Similarly, while the scalp is protected by hair, the main function of the follicle is to create hair, rather than serve as a protective barrier. The regulation of hair growth is influenced by various factors, including hormones and genetics, but it is not the explicit function of the hair follicle itself. Therefore, the role of producing hair is the central function of the hair follicle.