PipAsk Pip anything

Why is hair different colors?

Hair color comes from tiny bits of color your body puts in each hair.

Pip’s picture for “Why is hair different colors?”

Pip’s answer

  1. Hair color comes from tiny bits of color your body puts in each hair.
  2. Lots of dark color makes black or brown hair.
  3. A little color makes blond hair, and a reddish color makes red hair.
  4. Ooh, your hair color is a gift passed down from your family!

For grown-ups

Hair color comes from two types of melanin: eumelanin (brown/black) and pheomelanin (red/yellow). The amount and mix you have is determined mostly by genes inherited from your family. As people age, pigment production slows and hair turns grey or white.

Ask your child: Who in our family has hair most like yours?

More your amazing body questions

More questions kids ask

Got your own why?

Hold Pip, ask anything out loud, and watch the answer come to life.

Ask Pip your own question