Colour Changing Hair Dye Makes Dreams Come True

In Science by Matevz, May 30, 2017

British company Unseen has introduced new hair dye, that shocked the market. It is a completely new concept that enables the hair to change colour if the temperature increases or decreases. Lauren Bowker, the owner of the company, created the dye named Fire and showcased it just before the start of London Fashion Week. The colour changing dye is semi-permanent, lasting for only a couple of washes.

The invention works using thermochromic ink, a technology that changes the colour of texts in for instance soda cans in relation with temperature. The substance is toxic so the company had to swap the dangerous ingredients, resulting in a fair amount of extra science stuff. “The data used to create the dye stems from the process of thermoregulation in the human skin and the colour change chemical reaction occurs in response to certain stimuli – in this case, changes in the environment,” reports Wired.

A reaction takes place producing a molecule with a slightly different absorption of light, and thus a different colour.

The dye works using a complex carbon-based molecule, which undergoes a reversible reaction with itself when the temperature is changed. Above a certain temperature, “one of the molecule‘s forms is more stable than the other, and so a reaction takes place producing a molecule with a slightly different absorption of light, and thus a different colour,” explains The Unseen. Temperatures required for the change differ from colour to colour. Blue to white dye will activate at 15°C (59°F), mimicking winter, while the red to black dye activates at 31°C (88°F).

The company is still searching for a commercial partner that will help them bring the product to the buyers. If it would prove to be interesting for the clients, the Unseen already announced the possibility to make permanent colour changing dye. Who knows, maybe the new dye will become viral, making science and technology interesting for the wider population, which is another goal of the innovative company.

More info: Forbes

H/T: iflscience

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