History of Haircoloring Essay

The first major break through in hair coloring history came in 1863, when chemist Dr. August Wilhelm Von Hofmann reported the dye properties of paraphenylenediamine. His discovery led to the birth of the synthetic hair dye industry, and PPD still Dominates the field today. Hofmann was also known for his studies of organic derivatives of ammonia and for discovering the first unsaturated alcohol and several organic dyes. On the heels of Hofmann’s discovery, in 1867 London chemist E. H.  Thullay and Parisian hairdresser Leon Hugot demonstrated the advantages of hydrogen peroxide as best chemical way to lighten hair then alkaline solutions. After the mid 1920’s oxidation dyes were greatly improved and the fashionable use of haircoloring boomed. The introduction of salon and then home hair dyes during the same period brought about a revolutionary change worldwide and explosion of hair options. Clairol’s founder, Lawrence M. Gelb, introduced hair color to salons more than 70 years ago. When Clairol launched its first salon colors in 1931, millions of women began using them. Instant Clairol Oil Shampoo Tint soon changed the look of Americans. In 1950, Clairol introduced Miss Clairol Hair Color Bath, the first real breakthrough that lightened hair without the harshness and complicated handling of bleach. For the first time, hair could be lightened, tinted, conditioned and shampooed in only one step instead of five, in only 20 minutes. In the 1661 book Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art & Nature, various methods of coloring hair black, gold, green, red, yellow, and white are explained. Hair dye or hair color, is a chemical preparation used to change the color of a person’s hair. Hair dye is used to cover gray hair, which in some cultures has historically been considered to be a sign of aging. The Romans have been known to be interested in changing hair color and history revealed that they created over a hundred recipes using natural ingredients. These preparations could only darken hair. In 2007, where the next hair color breakthrough is currently unfolding, the first in over 50 years. Advances in understanding the molecular structure of hair have allowed scientists to develop improved technologies that minimize the amount of damage in the coloring process, and even create specialized products that restore health and brilliance to colored hair. The new chemistry of hair color is here, making hair color easier, quicker, and more effective than ever. Today millions of women color their hair, spanning every age, race, nationality and religion. According to recent surveys, at least 88 percent of all women feel their hair has an effect on their self-confidence. Today women demand a quick efficient product that easily fit into their hectic lifestyle. These are the products that we have today.