What type of melanin gives a reddish-yellow color?

Pheomelanin is the type of melanin that imparts a reddish-yellow color. It is primarily found in lighter hair types, such as blonde and red hair, and contributes to the variation in hair color among individuals. Pheomelanin contains sulfur, which influences its lighter hue, giving a warm tone that ranges from yellowish to a reddish tint.

In contrast, eumelanin provides darker pigments, such as brown and black shades, and does not produce the same yellow or reddish qualities. Carotene is not a type of melanin but rather a pigment found in plants that contributes to yellow and orange colors, and melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep and has no role in skin pigmentation. Understanding these distinctions helps to clarify the unique roles different pigments play in contributing to human skin and hair color.