The hypothesis of this work is that if a reactive oxygen speciesis present in a melanosomein hair that is still attached and then excited by the highest quantum yield wavelengths of lightultravioletthen the melanosome will degrade and create a localized bleach. The theory will be tested in solution and then in hair samples. Melanin degradation in this mannerwould be far less damaging to the hair structure and skin than current forms of hair lightening.This testing shows that the basis of this theory is correct and this method can degrade melanin in hair. Key words: melanin, hair, bleach, ultraviolet, degradation, reactive oxygen species, hydrogenperoxide |