Meaning ❉ Melanin, the natural pigment providing color to hair, holds particular significance for textured hair types, including Black and mixed-race hair. Understanding its presence and distribution is a foundational step in truly knowing one’s hair. This pigment, primarily eumelanin or pheomelanin, directly influences the hair shaft’s structural integrity, its natural moisture retention, and its inherent elasticity. For textured strands, often rich in eumelanin, this translates to distinct needs concerning hydration and strength maintenance. Recognizing melanin’s role allows for the systematization of hair care, moving beyond trial-and-error to a predictable,
