Causes of Natural Multicolored Hair

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the causes of natural multicolored hair, exploring genetic factors, variations in pigmentation, and unusual cases such as chimerism. Participants share personal experiences and seek explanations for their diverse hair colors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the variation in hair color is related to the expression levels of genes that code for pigments, though the reasons for this variability are not well understood.
  • One participant mentions the Lyon hypothesis as a potential explanation for patchiness in hair color.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of chimerism, which could explain having different sets of DNA in distinct tissue types, potentially leading to multicolored hair.
  • A question is raised about the existence of a gene for green hair, with a humorous response indicating that no such gene exists in humans.
  • There is a mention of polar bears having green hair due to algae growing in their hollow hair follicles, suggesting a biological phenomenon that could be analogous.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various hypotheses regarding the causes of multicolored hair, but there is no consensus on a singular explanation. Multiple competing views and ideas remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about genetic expression and the nature of chimerism, but these concepts are not fully resolved or defined within the conversation.

Bartholomew
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What causes natural multicolored hair? For example, I have dark brown hair on my head, a dark brown beard that also has orange places, a blonde moustache, and a pure white tuft of hair beneath my lower lip.
 
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Hi, I have multi colored hair too, and i have light brown, dark brown, blonde, and some reddish... I have been looking for answers too, but i just can't find anything.. I really do hope you can find an answer though :)
 
I has to do with the expression levels of genes that code for the pigments. I don't think it is really known why this varies (some people change hair color over time).
 
Is there a gene for a green hair?

I was a light blond (pig blond as we call it in Polish) as a kid, since then my hair got darker and darker and rarer and rarer.
 
The Lyon hypothesis is used to explain patchiness in hair and fur color, too.

Another explanation sometimes offered is that the person is a chimera, which can occur in fraternal twins. Chimera means the person has two different sets of DNA in distinct tissue types.
 
Borek -
Natural Green hair only occurs only in human-christmas ornament chimeras... You seem to be the only extant example. There is no green gene.

Polar bears have hollow hair follicles that allow single celled green algae to grow inside the hair shaft itself. Polar bears that swim a lot make for "green" polar bears during the Summer. Maybe you have hollow follicles and swim every day too?
 

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