Exciting news from American lab coats this morning: we could soon colour our hair without chemicals using a device which looks similar to a straightening iron.

Yep engineers at the University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratories have discovered a way of using focused ion beam technologies to etch patterns on hair which reflect light in certain ways so it appears to change colour – any colour.

The 5-year long project is still in development, but the device has been tested on black, brown and blonde hair and so far works best on brunette.

The research, which was published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications could be music to the ears of those who can't currently colour their hair due to dye allergies and skin sensitivity (and the rest of us are pretty hyped, too).

The light bulb move also means that we could totally bespoke our hues, changing the diffracted colour as we choose and even creating patterns which instantly takes our obsession with hair stencils and tapestries next level.

Plus, there are permanent and semi-permanent methods; either patterns are made directly on to the hair so it will last until it grows out or the are created on a conditioner that coats the hair which can be washed out. Clever eh.

We'll keep you posted on their progress, let's hope it's not too long before we're testing it in the Cosmo Beauty Lab.

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