Researchers have found that the human hair structure contains a previously unknown component--beta keratin--which is known to make up other animal components like reptile scales and birds’ beaks.

Human hair has been analyzed for decades, but a recent finding could give scientists a new perspective on its structure.
Researchers with the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source have found that hair strands contain an intermediary layer that is consistent with the protein, beta keratin.
It is reportedly located between the external cuticle and the cortex which makes up most of the hair’s volume; the only other known part is the core, called the medulla