Technological advancements as far as hair dye have remained fairly static through the past 150 years. Through all of these years, a chemical called phenylenediamine (PPD) has been used to dye hair. PPD reacts with the air to turn hair a darker shade. However, this method of dying hair is inconvenient because the chemical wears off after awhile, and the original hair color returns. Technology is finally advancing though and future hair coloring techniques look to nano-sized colorants. These pigments are 1/5000th the width of a human hair and will be able to penetrate the hair, resulting in longer-lasting color. Manipulating genes, such as melanin (a pigment that colors hair), are being studied. If melanin development is stimulated, then 'dying' hair to a more natural color will become less toxic the process of graying hair may be eliminated.
See: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110302121708.htm
Posted by Rachel Laughlin
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This is a really interesting idea. I wonder how long this new type of hair coloring is intended to last? It's a comforting thought that in 30 years from now when my hair turns grey their may be a product on the market that will virtually eliminate this issue.
ReplyDeleteA more permanent type of hair dye would be very helpful to many. I wonder if this might be a step towards permanent hair coloring, or if that is even desired by many. Also, regarding the nano-sized colorants, i'm curious as to how they work whether it be by just attaching to the hair or if it works like a virus or some other microbe in injecting something into the gene to change it, but why would that only be temporary then? It's a very interesting article.
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