Esthetics Core Written Practice Test

What color is pheomelanin?

1. Black to dark brown

2. Red to yellow

3. Blue to green

4. Gray to white

The correct answer is: Red to yellow

Pheomelanin is a type of melanin that is primarily responsible for the red and yellow hues seen in hair and skin. This pigment is distinctly different from eumelanin, which ranges from black to dark brown. Pheomelanin contributes to lighter hair colors, such as blonde and light red, as well as in certain skin tones. Understanding the roles of different types of melanin is important in esthetics, especially when considering hair color and skin pigmentation. The other color ranges, such as blue to green or gray to white, are not associated with pheomelanin and pertain to other forms of pigmentation or hair coloration not encapsulated by this specific pigment type.