The chemical that darkens hair is melanin. It's a pigment that's naturally produced by your body and gives your hair, skin, and eyes their color.
Here's how it works:
- Types of Melanin: There are two main types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is responsible for dark brown and black hair, while pheomelanin gives hair a red or blonde color.
- Production: Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in the hair follicles.
- Darkening: The more eumelanin your hair follicles produce, the darker your hair will be.
While melanin is responsible for natural hair color, there are also chemical hair dyes that can darken hair. These dyes contain chemicals that react with the melanin in your hair, changing its color.
