Eumelanin: Brown-black pigment that determines dark hair colors
What is Eumelanin?
Eumelanin is a natural pigment that gives your hair its dark brown to black color. It is a core component of your hair’s structure that provides protection against sun damage.
Think of eumelanin like your hair’s built-in sunscreen, actively absorbing and scattering harmful UV rays. Most people don’t realize that the amount of eumelanin in your hair directly determines its natural level of UV resistance.
How Eumelanin Builds Your Hair’s Strength
Eumelanin granules are packed into the hair’s cortex, which is its inner core. This packing adds structural integrity to each strand, making it more resilient.
I often see clients with high eumelanin content experience less breakage from styling. Their hair can naturally withstand more mechanical stress before showing signs of damage.
When Eumelanin Production Slows Down
Your body’s ability to produce eumelanin can decrease due to factors like aging, genetics, or hormonal changes. This slowdown is what leads to the appearance of gray hair.
In my clinic, I notice this process accelerates when clients experience prolonged stress. The hair doesn’t just lose color; it often becomes finer and more fragile without its protective pigment.
Eumelanin’s Reaction to Chemical Processing
Chemical treatments like bleaching target melanin to lighten hair. Eumelanin is more resistant to breaking down than pheomelanin, which is the red-yellow pigment.
This is why lifting dark hair to a light blonde requires more processing time. I always warn clients that stripping eumelanin inevitably weakens the hair’s internal structure, leading to potential damage if not done carefully.
Protecting Your Natural Eumelanin
You can help preserve your eumelanin by minimizing UV exposure and using protective products. Think of it like protecting your skin from the sun to prevent premature aging.
I recommend clients with dark hair use UV-filtering hair products. This simple step helps maintain their rich color and prevents the sun damage that causes fading and dryness.
From My Experience
Through my practice, I’ve developed a simple test to assess eumelanin content. I examine how hair responds to light exposure under magnification, which helps me customize care plans.
Clients with high eumelanin often make a crucial mistake: they assume their dark hair doesn’t need sun protection. I show them how even subtle fading indicates eumelanin degradation.
I’ve observed that nutritional support with copper-rich foods can sometimes support melanin production. While it won’t reverse graying, it helps maintain the health of still-pigmented hairs.
My most successful clients with color-treated hair use color-safe shampoos and weekly conditioning treatments. This approach helps preserve their artificial color while supporting overall hair integrity.
