Bleaching Your Hair without Hydrogen Peroxide

Breakthrough Discovery of Japanese Scientists

Traditional hair bleaches depend on hydrogen peroxide which is very effective in breaking down melanin - the black pigment that gives hair a dark color.

However, bleaching your hair with peroxide has several disadvantages. Bleach usually must be repeated every 90 days, in order to keep the satisfactory level of color.

But repeated bleaching also causes hair damage. And it’s easy to overdo it and fry your hair.

Now, scientists from Japan (the Kao Corporation’s Beauty Research Center in Tokyo) reported development of the world’s first “green” hair bleach, an environmentally friendly preparation for lightening the color of hair.

A new hair bleach is derived from a forest soil fungus (Basidiomycete ceriporiopsis) and could provide a natural alternative to the hydrogen peroxide.

The new enzyme accomplishes the same bleaching task, but it’s gentler on the hair. The enzyme still needs a bit of peroxide to do its job, but the quantities are far less than what is in most bleaches now.

The enzyme naturally degrades melanin. It has the additional benefit of combating the effects of free radicals, produced by hydrogen peroxide, that are responsible for damaging effects in making hair brittle, dull, and difficult-to-manage.

The only bad news is that a consumer version of the stuff is still not available. Scientists need more tests to better understand just how the enzyme works – and make sure it’s safe.

New research was presented at the American Chemical Society meeting in Salt Lake City.

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