Hair Dye Color Retention via Polymer Matrix Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hair dye colors fade quickly due to the diffusion of color molecules out of the hair fiber, especially when exposed to water during washing, leading to significant color loss.
Innovation Solution
A hair care composition containing ethylenic monomers such as sulfopropylacrylate and methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate, combined with a dermatologically acceptable carrier, is applied to the hair to form a polymer that stabilizes the color molecules within the hair fiber, reducing diffusion and fading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If color molecules are deposited in the hair cortex and cuticle, then hair color is achieved, but color molecules diffuse out towards the surface over time causing fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining ethylenic monomers with hair dye formulations. The monomers polymerize to form a matrix that traps color molecules, creating a composite structure within the hair fiber that prevents diffusion. This composite approach allows color molecules to be embedded in a polymer network rather than freely diffusing in the hair cortex, resolving the contradiction between color deposition and color stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a polymer network with controlled porosity that can accommodate color molecules. The ethylenic monomer polymer forms a matrix with pores sized to retain color molecules while allowing the material to integrate with the hair fiber structure. This porous composite structure prevents color diffusion while maintaining compatibility with the hair's natural architecture.
2Ease of operation
If water contact increases during washing, then hair cleaning is achieved, but color molecules diffuse faster and wash out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by forming a polymer coating within the hair cuticle and cortex that acts as a barrier membrane. This flexible polymer matrix, created from ethylenic monomers, surrounds and protects color molecules from water contact during washing. The film is flexible enough to move with the hair while providing a continuous barrier that prevents water from reaching and washing out color molecules, thus maintaining color retention during normal hair care routines.
3Quantity of substance
If ethylenic monomer composition is applied before dyeing, then color retention is improved, but application process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges (combining) multiple functions into a single hair dye formulation by incorporating ethylenic monomers directly into the dye mix. This combination allows the formulation to simultaneously deposit color and form a polymer retention matrix in one application step, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment and post-treatment steps. The merged formulation simplifies the application process while maintaining the color retention benefits of polymer encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality (multi-functionality) by designing the ethylenic monomer-containing formulation to perform multiple functions: it acts as a dye carrier, a polymer precursor for color entrapment, and a cuticle conditioning agent. This multi-functional approach allows a single product to achieve color deposition, color retention, and hair care benefits simultaneously, reducing process complexity while improving color retention performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively slows down the loss of color molecules by filling cuticle channels and stably affixing to the hair shaft, resulting in improved color retention and reduced delta E values after washing, as shown in the delta E graph.
Implementation Method 1
A hair care composition containing ethylenic monomers such as sulfopropylacrylate and methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate, combined with a dermatologically acceptable carrier, is applied to the hair to form a polymer that stabilizes the color molecules within the hair fiber
Implementation Method 2
The composition effectively slows down the loss of color molecules by filling cuticle channels and stably affixing to the hair shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preventing color loss from dyed hair comprising the application of a hair care composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% of a sulfoalkyl(meth)acrylate compound, an alkylacetamido(meth)acrylate, or a mixture thereof, and a dermatologically acceptable carrier wherein the sulfoalkyl(meth)acrylate compound and the alkylacetamido(meth)acrylate undergo polymerization inside the hair fibers.