A type of melanin found in red hair; it contains sulfur and is alkali-soluble; elevated levels are found in the rufous type of oculocutaneous albinism. Cf.:eumelanin. [G. phaios, dusky, + melos (melan-), black]
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pheo·mel·a·nin (fe″o-melґə-nin) a sulfur-containing form of melanin found in red hair and oculocutaneous albinism type 3.Medical dictionary. 2011.