The color of your hair is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, a pigment that gives color to your skin, hair, and eyes.
- Eumelanin: This type of melanin gives people black or brown hair.
- Pheomelanin: This type of melanin gives people red hair.
The more melanin you have, the darker your hair color will be. The less melanin you have, the lighter your hair color will be.
Hair color is also influenced by genetics. Multiple genes contribute to hair color, with the MC1R gene being a primary one. This gene controls the production of melanin and is particularly responsible for red hair.
As we age, the production of melanin slows down, which is why hair turns gray or white.
