There has really been a lot of discussion sparked about black hair and brown hair. Some people believe that black hair is actually a very dark brown color and not absolutely black. So, does black hair really not exist? Or does black hair do exist, it's just that its line with dark brown is not as clear as we think it is. In this article, we'll discuss this question in depth.
ls black hair called natural hair?
This question is worth exploring. While most Asians are born with black hair, and therefore we often think of black hair as one of the natural and most common hair colors, the truth is that black hair is not representative of all natural hair. Natural hair comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes, covering a wide range of shades from deep black, brown, and red to blonde and gray.
Each person's hair color is largely determined by genetics, and people of different races and regions will have different hair colors. The term “natural hair” does not only refer to hair color, but to hair that has not been artificially dyed or chemically treated. Therefore, whether it is black, blonde, brown or red hair, as long as it is unprocessed, it can be called natural hair.
Natural hair is not only diverse in color, but also in texture and hairstyle. The shape of the hair may be straight, curly or wavy, all of which depend on genes and the structure of the hair. Therefore, black hair is only one of the types of natural hair and does not fully represent all natural hair.
ls black hair a natural color?
This issue often triggers discussions. According to surveys, brunette is the second most common hair color in the world, especially in Asia and Africa, where black hair makes up a large percentage of the population. Therefore, many people will naturally think that black hair is a typical natural hair color. However, upon closer inspection and analysis, we have found that so-called “brunettes” are not pure black, but usually a very dark brown color.
Despite this, dark hair is still widely considered a natural color because it has not been artificially dyed or treated. People around the world, especially in Asia and Africa, have a high percentage of naturally occurring dark hair. Therefore, although not “true” black, brunette is still one of the natural hair colors and an important part of the diversity of human hair.
Does black hair exist or is it just dark brown?
From a scientific point of view, hair color is determined by the concentration and proportion of melanin (melanin). There are two types of melanin: true melanin, which appears dark brown to black, and pseudomelanin, which appears yellow or red. When the concentration of true melanin is high, the hair will appear very dark, almost close to black, but in reality it tends to be dark brown rather than pure black.
Only in rare cases may the hair approach true black, but this is very rare. In addition, the reflection of light affects our perception of hair color. In sunlight or bright light, so-called “black hair” sometimes has a brown, red or even blue sheen, which further indicates that the color of black hair is not absolutely black.
ls black a genetic hair color?
Black hair is really an inherited hair color that is mainly controlled by genes. Each person's hair color is produced by specific pigments that are formed within the body through a series of chemical reactions. About 90% of the world's population carries a gene called MC1R, which plays a key role in producing darker hair color.
The MC1R gene works by helping to synthesize a protein called melanocortin, which is a key element in the production of melanin. One type of melanin, true melanin, is primarily responsible for the formation of black or dark brown hair. The inheritance of black hair is not one-sided. To have black or dark brown hair, a person must inherit the appropriate gene from both parents.
If only one parent carries the gene, the hair color may be lighter, showing brown or other variants. It is due to this diversity of genetic combinations that the world has a wide range of hair colors in various shades. Although the MC1R gene plays a central role in the formation of dark hair, other genes may also influence the final color of the hair.
For example, certain genes affect the concentration and distribution of melanin, causing hair color to vary between dark brown and pure black. Also, different environmental and external factors may cause hair color to change over the course of a lifetime. In addition, while dark hair is more common in Asia and Africa, it can be passed on genetically to offspring in other regions.
This prevalence of dark hair color stems from thousands of years of human evolution and genetic transmission. To summarize, black is indeed a genetic hair color and is determined by a complex combination of genes and biochemical processes. Through genetic inheritance from both parents, humans are able to have a variety of darker shades of hair.
