Which pigments are the two main types of melanin responsible for natural hair color?

Which pigments are the two main types of melanin responsible for natural hair color?

• A. Eumelanin and Pheomelanin
• B. Eumelanin only
• C. Pheomelanin only
• D. No melanin affects color

Answer: (C)

Natural hair color comes from two melanin pigments produced in the hair follicle: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin provides brown to black shades, while pheomelanin adds red to yellow tones. The shade you see results from how much of each pigment is produced and how they’re distributed in the hair. More eumelanin gives darker colors; higher relative pheomelanin yields lighter, reddish or yellowish tones; a mix of both creates the full range of natural hair colors. Saying only one pigment is responsible misses most color outcomes, and melanin is essential to color—little or no melanin leads to very light or nearly colorless hair.

Natural hair color comes from two melanin pigments produced in the hair follicle: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin provides brown to black shades, while pheomelanin adds red to yellow tones. The shade you see results from how much of each pigment is produced and how they’re distributed in the hair. More eumelanin gives darker colors; higher relative pheomelanin yields lighter, reddish or yellowish tones; a mix of both creates the full range of natural hair colors. Saying only one pigment is responsible misses most color outcomes, and melanin is essential to color—little or no melanin leads to very light or nearly colorless hair.