• Question: Why does hair change colour in the sun?

    Asked by Holly K to Arthur, Clare, Daniel, David, Tora on 19 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Arthur Dyer

      Arthur Dyer answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      Skin and hair react differently to sunlight. Typically, the skin darkens and the hair lightens, a result of a pigment in the human body called melanin. Melanin darkens the skin to protect it from harmful solar radiation. Because hair cells are not alive like skin cells are, melanin cannot protect hair from sun damage. Hair takes on a bleached appearance, while skin becomes darker

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