Hair Colors and Dye

People have diverse shades of hair color because of different ratios and quantities of these two proteins exist. “Melanin” is produced by “Melanocytes”, which are cells at the root of the hair. As we grow older, these melanin producing cells slow down and so there is no melanin being produced and incorporated into hair shaft. That's why we go gray.

Human have been dyeing hair for hundreds of years in fact. There are several types of color out there - for instance there's natural hair color extracted from plants like henna, or agents like vinegar. Natural pigments work by coating the hair shaft with color and doesn't penetrate into the hair at all, that's why they wash off easily, meanwhile temporary hair color that one can buy off the shelf at many pharmacies or supermarkets, have pigment molecules that can slip inside the hair shaft and deposit a color to give a lustrous new look that can be washed off after a few shampoos and leave the hair's natural color.

If you've ever dyed your hair, is that permanent color don't wash off, and you've just got to deal with the re-growth at the roots if you want your natural color back. Either you cut your hair real short or shave it right off.

Permanent hair color actually opens up the cuticle of the hair shaft and allows color pigments to enter the cortex. The ammonia content in the dye does this, and once inside the cortex, it also acts as a catalyst to speed the process of oxidizing the melanin. Peroxide is the oxidizing agent, it alters the chemical state of the melanin - breaking chemical bonds and releasing sulfur. (Yes, sulfur - ever noticed the distinct smell of hair dye?)

When the melanin is oxidized, it removes the original color. As this happening, peroxide also stimulates the color pigments that came into the shaft with it, making a brand new color. Last but not least, the dye will have an alcohol or conditioning substance to close up the cuticle. And after 20 minutes later, there's your new color of hair.

As for bleaching hair, sort of the same thing, but instead of replacing the melanin with new color, there's no color left and the natural color of keratin remains. Do bear in mind that repeated coloring with all these strong agents can damage the hair. There are good conditioners and treatment to help you, but moderation is always the key people.