Milady Cosmetology Practice Exam

What pigment is responsible for all natural hair color?

1. Carotene

2. Melanin

3. Hemoglobin

4. Collagen

The correct answer is: Melanin

Melanin is the pigment responsible for all natural hair color. It is produced by specialized cells known as melanocytes, which are found in the hair follicles. There are two main types of melanin involved in hair color: eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brown shades, and pheomelanin, which gives rise to yellow and red hues. The combination and concentration of these two types of melanin determine the final hair color an individual has. Carotene is a pigment mainly found in plants and is not a factor in human hair color; it primarily affects skin color and can impart a yellow-orange hue. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen and has no role in determining hair color; it influences skin and blood coloration rather than hair. Collagen, meanwhile, is a structural protein that provides strength and support to skin, hair, and connective tissues, but it does not contribute to the pigmentation of hair. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why melanin is the correct answer for natural hair color.