Fabric of Hair Investigates:
Melanin in Hair, What does it do and do we need more of it? 🧐
Melanin is a natural pigment that determines the color of your hair.
When the production of this pigment slows down, hair turns gray or white.
Since these colors largely symbolize growing older, many are keen to boost melanin production in a attempt to restore their color.
Your hair color is determined by the type and amount of melanin in your hair.
Genetics play a huge role in which type of melanin you’re born with.
The two types of melanin you may have are:
Eumelanins: give hair dark colors
Pheomelanins: give hair light colors
Different amounts of these two types of melanin also determine hair color, as shown below:
Hair color | Types of melanin
Black | large amounts of eumelanin
Brown | moderate amounts of eumelanin
Blond | very little eumelanin
Strawberry blond | a mixture of brown eumelanin and pheomelanin
Red | mostly pheomelanin with small amounts of eumelanin
Melanin also affects hair vitality:
Melanin slowing down doesn’t just affect the pigment of the hair, it also affects hair’s vitality.
Melanin plays a protective role:
Larger quantities of eumelanin protect hair against high levels of exposure to the sun and its unwanted consequences such as drying out and brittleness.
This is why gray hairs, which are devoid of melanin, often have a dry, brittle texture.
Melanin affects hair color as you age:
Melanin goes through significant pigmentation changes throughout a person’s life. In other words, your hair color doesn’t stay the same color.
This is why a blond child may become closer to a brunette in their teen and adult years. Darkening of color can also be influenced by external factors, such as toxins, pollutants, and climate.
The slowing of melanin production is simply a part of aging.
Research has found that most people begin developing gray or white hair before the age of 50.
Certain foods boost melanin growth in hair.
Foods rich in antioxidants:
Many foods are loaded with hair-boosting vitamins.
This largely includes foods with high concentrations of antioxidants, which has found to increase melanin production.
Foods that are rich in antioxidants include:
dark chocolate
blueberries
leafy greens
pecans
beans
artichokes
Foods containing copper:
Since copper plays a role in melanin production you’ll also want to include the following foods into your diet:
crabmeat
almonds
lentils
peanuts
beef liver
white mushrooms
Foods rich with vitamins:
Vitamins A, C, and E have shown promising results on improving hair, skin, and nails.
Vitamins B6 and B12 have also been proven to boost melanin production.
It is best practice to eat healthy foods that are high in antioxidants, protein, and copper. Preventive measures may involve taking vitamins B12 and B6 may deter premature graying of hair.
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