Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

What causes gray hair?

1. Excess melanin

2. Reduced color pigment, melanin in the cortex

3. Increased hair density

4. Environmental damage

The correct answer is: Reduced color pigment, melanin in the cortex

Gray hair is primarily caused by a reduction in the color pigment known as melanin in the hair's cortex. Melanin is responsible for the natural color of hair, and as people age, the production of melanin diminishes due to a decrease in the activity of melanocytes – the cells that produce melanin. This decrease leads to hair losing its pigment, resulting in the appearance of gray or white hair. The other options do not accurately describe the biological process leading to gray hair. For example, excess melanin would lead to darker hair, while increased hair density does not impact color. Environmental damage, while it might affect hair health, does not directly cause the loss of pigment that characterizes gray hair. Understanding the role of melanin is crucial for grasping why hair changes color over time.