Hair root. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the root (red) and part of the shaft (yellow) of a human hair. The base of the hair is known as the hair bulb and is the site of hair growth. It is usually located in a hair follicle in the skin, at the base of which is an area called the dermal papilla. This region is supplied with blood, which gives nourishment for the production of new hair. As new cells form in the follicle they die, become keratinized and pigmented, and get pushed out to form the shaft of the hair. Magnification: x130 when printed 10cm high.