THE FUTURE OF HAIR COLOUR
Hair colouring is a popular way to express one’s personality, style, and mood. But what does the future hold for this industry? How will technology, trends, and consumer preferences shape the hair colour products and services of tomorrow?
The GQ Nairobi consulted a futurist on the possible scenarios and innovations that could transform the way we colour our hair in the next decade or so. Below are some of the predictions:
1. Customizable and Smart Hair Colour
Imagine if you could change your hair colour as easily as you change your clothes. What if you could have a different shade for every occasion, mood, or season? This could be possible with customizable and smart hair colour products that use nanotechnology, biotechnology, or digital technology to create dynamic and responsive hair colour. For example, some products could use nano-particles that change colour when exposed to different stimuli such as temperature, light, or humidity. Others could use biotechnology to create hair colour that is derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or microorganisms, and that can be modified by enzymes, pH, or other factors. And some products could use digital technology to create hair colour that is controlled by an app, a wearable device, or a voice command.
These products could offer many benefits such as convenience, versatility, and personalization. They could also reduce the environmental impact of hair colouring by eliminating the need for harsh chemicals, packaging, and waste. However, they could also pose challenges such as safety, regulation, and ethics. For example, how would these products affect the health of the hair and scalp? How would they interact with other hair products or treatments? How would they be regulated and tested for quality and safety? And how would they affect the identity and privacy of the users?
2. Virtual and Augmented Reality Hair Colour
Imagine if you could try on different hair colours without actually dyeing your hair. What if you could see how a certain shade would look on you before you buy it? What if you could experiment with different styles and effects without damaging your hair? This could be possible with virtual and augmented reality hair colour products that use digital technology to create realistic and immersive simulations of hair colour. For instance, some products could use virtual reality headsets or glasses to create a 3D model of your head and hair, then apply different colours and effects to it. Others could use augmented reality apps or filters to overlay different colours and effects on your real hair using your smartphone or tablet camera.
These products could offer many benefits such as fun, convenience, and creativity. They could also help consumers make better decisions about their hair colour by providing them with more information, options, and feedback. However, they could also pose challenges like accuracy, compatibility, and accessibility. For example, how would these products ensure that the simulations are accurate and realistic? How would they work with different devices, platforms and formats? And how would they reach consumers who do not have access to the required technology or internet connection?
3. Personalized and Predictive Hair Colour
Imagine if you could find your perfect hair colour based on your unique characteristics, preferences, and goals. What if you could have a hair colour that matches your skin tone, eye colour, and personality? What if you could have a hair colour that enhances your health, wellness, and performance? This could be possible with personalized and predictive hair colour products that use artificial intelligence, big data, and biometrics to create customized and optimized hair colour solutions. For example, some products could use artificial intelligence to analyze your facial features, skin tone, eye colour, personality traits, and lifestyle preferences, then recommend the best hair colour for you. Others could use big data to track your health status, mood changes, environmental factors and personal goals, then adjust your hair colour accordingly. And some products could use biometrics to measure your vital signs, brain activity, hormone levels and genetic markers, then create a hair colour that improves your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
These products could offer many benefits such as satisfaction, confidence, and empowerment. They could also help consumers achieve their personal and professional goals by providing them with a hair colour that suits their needs, aspirations and potential. Nonetheless, they could also pose challenges like privacy, security, and ethics. For example, how would these products protect the personal data and biometric information of the users? How would they prevent unauthorized access or misuse of this information? And how would they respect the diversity and autonomy of the users?
