What pigment is responsible for producing yellow or red colors in hair?

The pigment responsible for producing yellow or red colors in hair is pheomelanin. Pheomelanin is one of the two types of melanin, the other being eumelanin, which is responsible for brown and black hair colors. In individuals with hair that displays yellow, red, or light colors, pheomelanin is predominant, giving these shades their characteristic tones.

In contrast, while melanin is a broader term that encompasses both eumelanin and pheomelanin, it does not specifically account for the yellow or red colors alone; it refers to the overall pigment in hair. Carotene is a different type of pigment typically found in orange and yellow vegetables, but it does not play a role in hair color. Elastin is a protein important for skin elasticity, but it is not related to hair pigmentation. Thus, pheomelanin is the specific pigment that produces the yellow and red hues seen in hair.