"Other pigmentation-related diseases include testicular, prostate and ovarian cancers, as well as Crohns Ceramic Smoothing Hair Straightener Brush and other forms of bowel disease..Inherited factors account for 97 per cent of colour variation for hair and skin, but only a dozen relevant genes had been previously identified.The study also confirmed that women are more likely to have lighter hair than men.Gentlemen prefer blondes -The discovery could give police investigators a boost, the researchers said."Knowing more about these genes can be important not just for skin cancer but also for other conditions, like auto-immune diseases.

"The link between pigmentation and health is very important in the evolution of the human race," said co-author Veronique Bataille from Kings College London.""Our work helps us to understand what causes human diversity in appearance by showing how genes involved in pigmentation subtly adapted to external environments and even social interactions during our evolution," added co-author Tim Spector from Kings College London."The once popular expression "gentlemen prefer blondes", in other words, may be grounded in an ancient evolutionary imperative."Our study confirms in very large sample sizes that there must have been a selection towards fair haired females," said Bataille.By comparing self-reported hair colour with genetic make-up -- stored at several million locations across the human genome -- the team identified 124 genes involved in the development of hair colour.

Scientists on Monday said they have uncovered more than 100 new genes linked to hair colour, a discovery which could advance knowledge on skin cancer and other diseases.In the largest ever genetic study on pigmentation, which includes skin and hair, researchers analysed DNA data from almost 300,000 people of European descent.Earlier research has speculated that when early Europeans migrated north, women evolved to have lighter hair than men, most likely in response to male ***ual preference.