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Hair Melanin and Hair Color

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Book cover Hair and Hair Diseases

Abstract

The color of hair is based on the pigment content of the hair shaft. The structure and chemical composition of the pigments are essentially under genetic control. A few genes are responsible for the broad spectrum of color which is determined by the absorption and reflection of the hair. The quality and quantity of melanins are the primary properties governing absorption and reflection of the hair.

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© 1990 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Césarini, J.P. (1990). Hair Melanin and Hair Color. In: Orfanos, C.E., Happle, R. (eds) Hair and Hair Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-74612-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-74612-3_8

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