Hair: The Most Sophisticated Biological Composite Material

The document reviewed the complex structure of hair, highlighting its hierarchical organization from α-keratin chains to intermediate filaments and ultimately to the fiber. It discussed the unique chemical properties of hair's morphological compartments, such as the hydrophilic/hydrophobic paradox, which contributed to its remarkable physical characteristics. The review was intended to provide insights for protein and polymer chemists, as well as biochemists studying the cytoskeleton and intermediate filaments, and offered a scientific foundation for advancements in hair cosmetics.