More specifically, there are two main types of melanin that determine hair color:
* Eumelanin: Produces brown and black shades. The amount of eumelanin determines how dark the hair will be.
* Pheomelanin: Produces blonde and red shades. The amount of pheomelanin, combined with the amount of eumelanin, determines the specific shade of blonde or red.
The absence of melanin results in white or gray hair.