PSI Barbering Practice Exam

Natural hair color is primarily a result of what?

1. Melanin pigment

2. Amino acids

3. Elasticity

4. Curly patterns

The correct answer is: Melanin pigment

Natural hair color is primarily the result of melanin pigment, which is produced in hair follicles. Melanin is a complex polymer that gives hair its color, with the two main types being eumelanin (which can be either black or brown) and pheomelanin (which produces a yellow to red color). The specific combination and concentration of these pigments determine an individual's hair color. For instance, high concentrations of eumelanin result in black or brown hair, while higher levels of pheomelanin lead to blonde or red shades. Amino acids, while important in the overall structure and health of hair, do not contribute directly to hair color. They are the building blocks of proteins like keratin, which forms the hair shaft, but they do not determine color. Elasticity refers to the hair’s ability to stretch and return to its original shape, which is related to its health and moisture content, not to the pigment that causes its color. Curly patterns pertain to the texture of hair, governed by the shape of the hair follicle, but they also do not affect the color of hair.