What is the term for hair that has no natural pigment?

The term for hair that has no natural pigment is accurately identified as white hair. White hair occurs due to a complete lack of melanin, which is the natural pigment found in hair. As individuals age, their hair follicles gradually produce less melanin, leading to the hair becoming gray and eventually white.

Gray hair, in particular, refers to a mixture of white and pigmented hair; thus, while it may appear to have no pigment due to the predominance of white strands, it does not accurately represent hair that is devoid of color entirely. Blonde hair contains a lighter level of pigment compared to darker shades and is not devoid of melanin. Similarly, colored hair indicates hair that has been treated with artificial pigments from hair dyes, rather than having no natural pigment at all.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for haircolorists, as it affects how they formulate colors and work with different hair types.