Natural hair color works through the presence of melanin, a natural pigment produced within hair follicles. This pigment comes in different types and amounts, which ultimately determine the specific shade of your hair.
The Pigments Responsible for Hair Color
All natural hair colors arise from just two main types of melanin:
- Eumelanin: Responsible for brown and black shades. The more eumelanin present, the darker the hair.
- Pheomelanin: Responsible for red and yellow shades.
How Melanin Determines Hair Color
The combination and concentration of eumelanin and pheomelanin dictate the vast range of natural hair colors we see:
- Black Hair: Contains a large amount of eumelanin and very little pheomelanin.
- Brown Hair: Contains a moderate amount of eumelanin, with trace amounts of pheomelanin. Different ratios of eumelanin produce varying shades of brown.
- Blonde Hair: Contains a small amount of eumelanin and pheomelanin. The exact shade of blonde depends on the specific ratio and overall quantity of these pigments.
- Red Hair: Contains predominantly pheomelanin and a very small amount of eumelanin. The specific ratio of red to yellow pheomelanin affects the depth and vibrancy of the red color.
- Gray/White Hair: Occurs when melanin production decreases or ceases entirely due to aging. Hair appears gray as a mixture of pigmented and unpigmented hairs, and white when there is a complete absence of melanin.
The Role of Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in determining the amount and type of melanin produced. Specific genes control the production and distribution of these pigments, leading to a wide variety of hair colors within a population. These genes are inherited from parents, influencing the individual's hair color.
In summary, natural hair color arises from the interplay of eumelanin (brown/black pigment) and pheomelanin (red/yellow pigment) within hair follicles, with genetic factors dictating the amount and type of pigment produced.
