Two years ago it became known about creating a more soft and gentle hair dyes with the addition of graphene. More recently, however, cosmetologists have released a new paint with a slightly less exotic active substance – synthetic melanin.
In most modern hair dyes are applied very aggressive components, including hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and a variety of colors. Penetrating into the cuticle of each hair, keeping him staining. However, frequent hair coloring leads to damage and to allergic reactions of customers and stylists.
To solve this problem will help the melanin – the natural pigment that gives our hair color. As you get older it disappears, because of which hair becomes dull hue. In the recent past, researchers have tried to use synthetic melanin as an alternative to traditional dyes. Unfortunately, to enhance the effect, it is necessary to add heavy metals and oxidizing agents in hazardous concentrations.
A team of researchers at northwestern University in Illinois have developed a replacement to these metals and oxidants in the form of a small amount of ammonium hydroxide, which requires only a little heating. As a result of natural dark shades are produced by increasing its concentration, and the red and Golden – due to the small additives of hydrogen peroxide.
The overall coloring process is much more mild compared to regular dyes because synthetic melanin covers the outside of each hair, leaving the cuticle intact. According to the developers, this process is much less harmful for the hair. In laboratory tests, the color intensity was maintained for at least 18 days.
Source — American Chemical Society