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wasteofo2
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I know that when your skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight it turns darker in order to try to absorb some of the light's energy, which can help avoid burns, but why does your hair become blonde?
doesnt this mean the hair should turn to white and not blonde?Monique said:Because the pigment in the hair breaks down under influence of the UV light, and since hair is dead no new pigment can be made.
When our skin is exposed to the sun, it triggers a process called melanogenesis. This is when our skin produces more melanin, which is a natural pigment that gives our skin its color. The increase in melanin production is the body's way of protecting itself from the sun's UV rays. The more melanin we have, the darker our skin appears.
Unlike our skin, our hair does not have the ability to produce melanin in response to sun exposure. Instead, the sun's UV rays break down the melanin that is already present in our hair, causing it to appear lighter or even bleached. This is why many people experience lighter hair color in the summer months.
Yes, the amount of melanin in our skin and hair is determined by genetics. People with darker skin and hair have more melanin-producing cells, while those with lighter skin and hair have fewer of these cells. This is why some people naturally tan more easily than others.
Yes, using sunscreen can help prevent our skin from darkening when exposed to the sun. Sunscreen works by blocking the sun's UV rays from reaching our skin and triggering the production of melanin. This is why it is important to always wear sunscreen when spending time in the sun.
Yes, our skin and hair can darken and lighten at different rates. This is because our skin and hair have different levels of melanin and are affected differently by the sun's UV rays. Additionally, factors such as hair color treatments and skin care products can also impact the rate at which our skin and hair darken and lighten.