Does Hair Dye Affect microscopic characteristics of human hair?

Question

I'm doing this for my science fair project and i need help

------ BIO experts help me

what should I look for or examine

cell membrane?

Help plase

what 3 different criterias should i evaluate and test?

Answer 1

I'm not a bio expert, but as a licensed cosmetologist, I can tell you that dye does affect microscopic characteristics of hair, because the permanent dyes are a mixture of color molecules in an ammonia base, which is mixed with developer, H2O2, or 20 volume hydrogen peroxide, just before application. The H202 lifts the cuticle of the hair, which is the overlapping scales on the outside of the hair shaft, and removes some of the natural pigment (bleaches a bit) from the cortex, and the mixture then deposits the new artificial color molecules into the cortex. The medulla, or innermost layer of the hair, is not usually affected, but in cases of severe chemical damage, it can be. The hair shaft itself sort of resembles a tree under a microscope, the outer layer, the cuticle, resembles "bark" or overlapping scales, the cortex resembles the "pith" of a tree or plant stem, and the medulla is a very thin "core" in the center. You'll see "damage" to the hair shaft of dyed hair, as those cuticle scales have been lifted, and some become missing from the chemical damage. The difference between dyes, is a permanent color (dye) removes natural color, and re-deposits new color, a semi-permanent color does not mix with H202, and "stains" the outer layers of the hair, and washes off after several shampoos. There can be no temporary lightening of hair with a semi-permanent color, because in order to go to lighter hair, the natural pigments must be removed, and that takes peroxide / ammonia based products.
I hope someone with more of a chemistry / biology background can fill in the details for you, but I hope I have at least given you an understanding of how hair is changed by dyes. (similar changes / damage occur with perms and straighteners) Good Luck.

Answer 2

I dont think that it does.. it just has a way or clinging to pigment but thats it.