Meaning ❉ Pigment metabolism describes the gentle biological processes orchestrating melanin’s formation, placement, and eventual breakdown within hair follicles, defining the hair’s natural color. For textured hair, recognizing these delicate cellular dances provides clarity on how diverse shades emerge and why strands react uniquely to environmental whispers. This insight serves as a grounding principle for systematizing daily care, allowing one to predict how melanin’s activity influences hair’s inherent strength or its interaction with light and styling preparations. Practically, this understanding guides thoughtful selections, from choosing protective emollients that uphold the hair’s vibrant pigment to adopting mindful strategies for color preservation, ensuring every curl and kink receives care rooted in precise knowledge.