Arkansas Barber Practice Exam

This is because melanin is the pigment that gives hair its color. When an oxidizer combines with melanin, it can cause a chemical reaction that results in a color change. The other options, cortex, cuticle, and keratin, are all parts of the hair structure, but do not directly determine hair color. The cortex is the middle layer of the hair shaft, responsible for strength and elasticity. The cuticle is the outermost layer, which protects the hair from damage. Keratin is the protein that hair is made of. While these components play important roles in the health and appearance of hair, they do not directly contribute to color changes caused by an oxidizer.