Pheomelanin is responsible for which color pigments in hair?

Pheomelanin is an important pigment in the hair, primarily responsible for producing yellow to red color shades. This type of melanin is present in varying amounts in different individuals, and its presence can impart warm tones to the hair. Individuals with higher levels of pheomelanin typically exhibit lighter hair colors such as blonde or red, while lower levels can manifest as darker shades.

In contrast, other types of color pigments, such as eumelanin, are responsible for black to brown shades in hair, and there are no pigments naturally found in hair that produce blue or green shades. Additionally, gray and white hair are generally the result of a loss of melanin altogether rather than the action of a specific pigment producing those colors. This understanding of melanin types helps in effectively customizing hair color treatments.