Dyson is well-known for its haircare products, along with its other product ranges such as vacuum cleaners. It may be less known that Dyson continually invests in pioneering technology and has four technology campuses, with 6,000 engineers and scientists who rigorously test new ideas and technologies through scanning electron microscopes, thermal cameras, airflow laser smoke machines, and more.

One example of the output of their research is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, launched six years ago, which uses fast, controlled airflow and intelligent heat control to dry hair quickly while keeping it strong and healthy. Dyson has further developed styling tools to provide superior styles for all hair types while limiting exposure to extreme heat damage. These products have come to market out of Dyson’s research in hair structure, airflow dynamics, and the effect of thermal, mechanical, and chemical damage.

Dyson is continuing its investment and research in developing technology for all hair types, and the 500,000-pound investment will create new lab spaces to sharpen Dyson’s understanding of global hair types and damage, while also supporting the continued diversification of Dyson’s beauty technology.

As well as announcing this investment, Dyson released its 2022 Global Hair Study which examined hair health, hair perceptions, habits, and attitudes towards hair styling from 23,000 people across 23 markets, including Australia. The research will inform the company’s engineering decisions and ensure it produces machines that offer better styles, backed by science.

Key findings of the research include:

• 70% of respondents say their hair is damaged, with dandruff, hair loss, and greying as top concerns. However, these are not actually damage concerns and represent a misperception about damage. In fact, 67% of all respondents say their hair is healthy, despite many simultaneously saying it is damaged. In reality, hair damage refers to the breakdown of the hair cuticle and cortex which leads to hair looking frizzy, dull, or snapping off. Dyson senior principal hair scientist Rob Smith says the best way to achieve healthy hair is through prevention and minimising exposure to causes of damage, including extreme heat.
• Respondents do understand what healthy hair looks and feels like, with descriptions as shiny (36%), smooth (29%), and linked to a healthy scalp (26%).
• While 60% of consumers shifted at-home styling habits during the pandemic, at least 20% have returned to their pre-pandemic routines and this continues to grow.
• 60% changed their hair habits globally due to the pandemic, styling hair less (17%) and using fewer hair products (9%).
• However, there’s continued diligence in basic hair maintenance and styling. Hair-holding spray, moisturising products, shine enhancers and standard conditioners are used 3-4 times a week.

Dyson also provided these interesting hair science facts:

• Each hair strand has its own nerve, blood supply and muscle.
• A strand of hair can support up to 2kg of weight.
• Hair is dead when it leaves the scalp; it cannot heal once damaged.
• Extreme heat changes the shape of keratin strands within the hair – At over 150°C, the α-keratin slowly converts to β-keratin which, over time, makes hair weaker and less elastic.
• You grow around 11km of hair on the head each year. The average human head has 80,000 – 150,000 strands of hair. Hair is the second fastest-growing tissue in the body, behind bone marrow.
• Shiny hair is healthy hair. Healthy strands reflect more light, while the pores within damaged hair scatter light everywhere, decreasing shine.
• Asian hair is coarser than Western hair. Coarse hair holds styles better because each strand of hair is thicker. However, it may be prone to frizz and hence is harder to style.

Dyson additionally announced new products, the Dyson Corrale straightener, Dyson supersonic hair dryer, and Dyson airwrap multi-styler.

The Dyson Corrale straightener is suitable for all hair types, featuring pioneering flexing plate technology engineered to apply heat and tension evenly across hair strands in each pass, reducing the reliance on heat. It is battery-powered (and thus cord-free), and delivers three precise temperatures with a temperature sensor that works in conjunction with a microprocessor to ensure accuracy. The Dyson Corrale straightener Vinca Blue and Rosé gift set is priced at $699.

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is engineered for different hair types and is powerful and fast. The tool uses a fast, but focused, airflow and is engineered for balance in the hand. It measures air temperature over 40 times per second to regulate temperature output and features Dyson’s intelligent heat control technology. The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer Vinca Blue and Rosé gift set is priced at $599.