hair colour

Last reviewed 08/2022

Hair colour is dependent on many factors; one of the chief determinants is the number of melanocytes which migrate into the matrix of the hair and the type of melanins they produce. Eumelanins produce brown hues, phaemelanins produce reds. Reduced pigment production can lead to a default of grey or white hair; this is also the result of small air bubble dispersing light within the medulla.

In undyed hair, colour can sometimes be helpful in diagnosis.