Aveda unveils new hair color measurement technology

UK – Aveda, an American beauty brand, has partnered with Keracol Limited, a company founded by researchers from the University of Leeds specializing in colour chemistry and sustainability, to reveal a groundbreaking hair colour measurement technique published in the peer-reviewed journal Heliyon. 

This new method uniquely correlates the desorption of dye molecules from hair fibres with visible changes in hair colour, regardless of hair type, texture, or colour background. 

Unlike traditional spectrophotometric analyses that only measure overall colour characteristics superficially, this advanced technique delves into molecular-level interactions, providing a deeper understanding of how hair dye fades over time.

The technique utilises an extraction process with a solvent blend that effectively extracts dye molecules from various hair types, including blonde, grey, curly, and bleached hair.

These extracts are then analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to track the retention of dye molecules within the hair fibres. 

This approach was adapted from analytical methods initially used to investigate historical textile artefacts in museums, and repurposed for modern hair colour science following a decade-long collaboration between Aveda and the University of Leeds. 

The result offers new insights into the chemistry of hair dye fading and the impact of hair colour formulations on hair health.

According to Dr. Richard Blackburn of Keracol, this innovative analytical approach goes beyond visual evaluations to uncover molecular details that were previously inaccessible. 

Je Zgis, Head of Hair Innovation and Technical at Aveda, emphasized that this new understanding could lead to breakthroughs in developing hair colour products that maintain vibrant, long-lasting colour while minimizing damage to the hair. 

This research exemplifies Aveda’s commitment to science-driven innovation and sustainability, supporting consumer desires for beautiful, lasting hair colour combined with overall hair health.

Aveda’s sustainability ethos is reflected in their mission to blend botanical technologies with green chemistry and Ayurvedic principles, producing vegan, plant-based hair care products that are cruelty-free and globally recognized for environmental leadership. 

This pioneering hair colour measurement method marks a significant step toward the next generation of hair colour technologies that prioritize durability, vibrancy, and hair fibre integrity, underscoring Aveda’s ongoing efforts in sustainable beauty innovation.

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