Why do we have certain hair color?
Melanocytes are cells that produce color, and they migrate into the hair bulb as hair follicles develop in utero. They produce a pigment that is put into the growing hair fibers to produce hair in an amazing array of natural shades. Hair color depend on the presence and ratios of melanins: eumelanins (brown and black pigment) and pheomelanins (red and yellow pigments).
Variations in the ratio of these pigments can make a large number of color and tones. Eyelashes are the darkest because they contain high levels of eumalanin. Scalp hair is mostly lighter than pubic hair, which often has a red tinge, due to more phaeomelanin pigments. A red tinge is also common in underarm and beard hair. Certain drugs such as those to prevent malaria can lighten hair, while some epilepsy medications can darken it.
