Which of the following characteristics is NOT typically associated with pheomelanin?

Pheomelanin is a type of melanin that predominantly contributes to the coloration of hair, skin, and eyes in individuals with lighter hair types. This pigment is primarily responsible for shades of red and yellow. Therefore, the presence of pheomelanin is closely linked to lighter colors and brighter hair shades, such as blond and red hair.

The characteristic that highlights the presence of pheomelanin in darker hair types is inaccurate because darker hair tends to contain a higher concentration of eumelanin, which is the pigment responsible for black and brown hues. Consequently, pheomelanin is not typically associated with darker hair types, making the selected answer apt.

While pheomelanin does contribute to the diversity of hair colors, especially in lighter shades, its primary association is with lighter hair colors rather than darker ones.