Chemical MakeupHair is mainly made of keratin, a protein. Water also makes up 12-15% of one's hair. There can also be blood from the root of the hair because it has a very good blood supply. There can be numerous other elements in small quantities in hair, but it differs from person to person. The chemical make up of hair is individual to each person.2
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Natural PigmentHair is mainly made of keratin with eumelanin and/or phaeomelanin, which are different types of the chemical melanin. Eumelanin makes hair brown or black and phaeomelanin makes hair blond and red colors and the absence of either one makes white or gray hair. Most people have a mix of eumelanin and phaeomelanin in their hair to create their natural shade.3
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KeratinKeratin is a protein and it is a major part of the make up of skin, hair, and nails. Keratin is both an internal and external part of hair; on the hair shaft, it protects against breakage. On the inside, it is a part of the hair structure. Keratin is removed from hair when it the hair is damaged chemically, physically, or from the environment (sun depletes keratin). A loss of keratin makes hair easily damaged and weak.4 Keratin is made up of 18 different amino acids. One of those proteins in cystine, which is made up of sulfur and forms very strong bonds.5
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