Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 15/08/2007 21:42:32

Title: Why Does My Sons Fair Hair Get So Dark When Wet
Post by: neilep on 15/08/2007 21:42:32
Dear Hirsute Highnesses,

Having just bathed my two year old son I noticed that his fair hair looks so much darker when wet !

Why is this ?







* I thought this has been asked before but a search revealed no results*




Title: Why Does My Sons Fair Hair Get So Dark When Wet
Post by: paul.fr on 16/08/2007 07:49:31


* I thought this has been asked before but a search revealed no results*



Your assumption was correct, your search function was not. Hay, that sort of rhymes!

On TNS radio show of the 18th Feb 2007, a similar question was asked and this is the reply given:

"When hair gets wet it gets closer together. Hair is light when it's dry for the same reason that glass is clear when it's as a glass but lighter when it's made into tiny particles of sand. What's happening when it's dry is that light is bouncing off all the surfaces of the hair and bouncing around all over the place and reflects lots of wavelengths of light and looks lighter. When the hairs are covered with water it smooths the surfaces, more light can go through deep into the hair rather than be reflected back, so it looks darker."

Which is ofcourse, what i was going to type, but without the big words.

As a side note, copper turns blonde hair green. So maybe you could "alter" his diet for some family green haired fun.

Title: Why Does My Sons Fair Hair Get So Dark When Wet
Post by: neilep on 16/08/2007 14:02:04
Thanks Paul,

I have to say..the ' search ' facility could be better !!...like..it could actually search for stuff !!..lol

THANKS for the answer Paul.
Title: Why Does My Sons Fair Hair Get So Dark When Wet
Post by: daveshorts on 16/08/2007 14:20:45
Quote
As a side note, copper turns blonde hair green. So maybe you could "alter" his diet for some family green haired fun.

What's heavy metal poisoning when you can have green hair! ;)
Title: Why Does My Sons Fair Hair Get So Dark When Wet
Post by: paul.fr on 16/08/2007 14:24:25
Quote
As a side note, copper turns blonde hair green. So maybe you could "alter" his diet for some family green haired fun.

What's heavy metal poisoning when you can have green hair! ;)

I can't believe it took so long for someone to answer that.