Melanin-based treatments contain a mix of molecular sizes; larger pigment polymers and smaller fragments interact differently with hair fibers, so any change in tone from repeated use is gradual and variable from person to person. The product’s primary purpose is cosmetic enhancement and conditioning, not permanent color change or medical treatment.
Melanin is not only a pigment but also an organic semiconductor, capable of absorbing and converting electromagnetic radiation into different forms of energy such as heat, electrical charge, and mechanical vibration. When melanin molecules embedded within the hair shaft absorb electromagnetic radiation—especially from visible or infrared light—they can generate localized heat and electrical gradients along the keratin structure. These gradients subtly alter the molecular bonds and internal stresses within the hair fiber. Because melanin granules are often unevenly distributed, the localized expansion and contraction that follow exposure to radiation can amplify natural asymmetries in the strand, encouraging it to bend or coil.
Over time or with repeated exposure, this electromagnetic-to-mechanical conversion can help reinforce curvature by influencing how keratin proteins crosslink and align as hair dries or is gently heated. In darker hair, where eumelanin concentration is higher, this effect may be more pronounced, as melanin absorbs more radiation and distributes energy deeper into the cortex. The small thermal gradients and charge redistributions inside the hair shaft act like internal tension forces, nudging sections to twist and curve rather than remain straight. In this way, melanin’s interaction with everyday electromagnetic radiation—sunlight, ambient heat, or gentle styling energy—can contribute to the tendency of melanin-rich hair to form curls, waves, or coils.
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