Natural Dyes Vs Synthetic Dyes: How Do They Effect Your Skin?

Natural Dyes Vs Synthetic Dyes: How Do They Effect Your Skin?

What is Fabric Dye?

Fabric dye is a color that allows fibers and materials to be colored. It chemically bonds to the material it is applied to. Fabric dyes are different from pigments because pigments don’t chemically bond with the material they color. Pigments are not soluble in water, while fabric dyes can be dissolved in water.

We need to understand what fabric dye is by looking at the various types of dyes that are available, whether they are synthetic or natural.

 

What Is A Natural Fabric Dye?

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Natural dyes for fabric are divided into three groups: animal, plant or mineral dyes.

Natural dyes for fabric come from animals, plants and invertebrates, or minerals. The natural sources of dyes are nuts, roots insects, flowers, bark, berries, leaves wood, as well as other sources of biological origin like the fungi and lichens. The majority of the natural dyes utilized within the industry of fashion of today are dyes made from vegetable sources that are taken from plant sources. These colors are used by the majority of custom garment manufacturers, who produce custom clothing labels and clothing tags.

Without becoming too technical with Latin names, and also the historical background for each one, the direct dyes used in the textile industry that is most commonly employed in the textile and fashion industry are:

 

1. Animal Derived Dyes

Animal dyes are taken from invertebrates or animal body parts.

  • Carmine is extracted from cochineal. Cochineal is an insect that scales and the red dye is extracted from it.
  • Indian yellow comes in the urine of cattle or cows.
  • The lac insect is a source of violet and red dyes.
  • Purple is the result of murex snails, and in earlier times, it was referred to as Tyrian purple. It was considered to be an expensive dye as hundreds of snails were required and it was labor demanding to remove the dye.
  • Crimson is made from dried Kermes insect. It was an ancient dye, but it was wiped out after carmine was discovered as the crimson Kermes were 12 times more costly to make.
  • Sepia brown comes from octopus and cuttlefish.

 

2. Plant Derived Dyes

Animal dyes are taken from invertebrates or animal body parts.

  • Carmine is extracted from cochineal. Cochineal is an insect that scales and the red dye is extracted from it.
  • Indian yellow comes in the urine of cattle or cows.
  • The lac insect is a source of violet and red dyes.
  • Purple is the result of murex snails, and in earlier times, it was referred to as Tyrian purple. It was considered to be an expensive dye as hundreds of snails were required and it was labor demanding to remove the dye.
  • Crimson is made from dried Kermes insect. It was an ancient dye, but it was wiped out after carmine was discovered as the crimson Kermes were 12 times more costly to make.
  • Sepia brown comes from octopus and cuttlefish.

 

3. Mineral Dyes

Mineral dyes aren’t invented and are commonly employed in the making of carpets. The mineral dyes most commonly used are:

  • Ochre is one of the varieties of iron ore, which can be described as an oxide of earth. The colours of brown, red, and yellow variations are made from it.
  • Manganese and black tones originate from this metal element.
  • Malachite is a vivid green, is mineral, which is a mixture of copper carbonate as well as copper hydroxide.
  • Azurite is a blue or darker blue copper mineral that is frequently found alongside malachite since both are products of corrosion and oxidation of copper.
  • Lapis lazuli is a blue rock that is a mix of azurite, calcite, Pyroxenite and various silicate minerals.
  • Cinnabar is an iron-rich reddish mineral that is made up of quicksilver sulfur.
  • Lead can also be used to make red.
  • Aragonite produces white and colorless subtle nuances.

 

What Is A Synthetic Fabric Dye?

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Synthetic dyes or artificial dyes are manufactured by humans and are mostly derived from petrochemicals via the chemical process of coal tar (or oil processing). Synthetic dyes first appeared in the middle of the 19th century and resulted in a decrease in the manufacturing of dyes made from natural sources.

Mauve or mauveine was one of the first synthetic dyes found by William Perkin in 1856. It was simply by chance that he came across it, which lead to the development of the fuchsine the safranine and the induline. Many thousand synthetic dyes are readily available.

Synthetic fabric dyes can be made in large quantities and are ideal for dyeing synthetic fabrics and fibers. The chemicals that are found in synthetic dyes are mercury lead, copper as well as chromium, benzene toluene, and sodium chloride. These chemicals can all be harmful when exposed to high levels.

Each synthetic fiber has its unique process of coloring. Nylon needs acid, disperse and pigment dyes, while rayon acetate requires to disperse dyes.

 

Difference Between Natural And Synthetic Dyes

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It is important to know the benefits and disadvantages of both synthetic and natural dyes to make an informed decision on which one is the best. Both have pros and cons So what are the main differences between these two dyes?

  • Intensity and brilliance of the color
  • Price and cost
  • Health and wellness of the worker
  • Impact on the environment

 

Conclusion

Chemical substances are used in the production of synthetic dyes. Then, emissions of fumes are released. The chemical fumes that come from dye pots could be harmful and hazardous to humans especially those who work in manufacturing lines. Sulfuric acid is extremely potent and may cause skin burns. Lung cancer and respiratory issues may develop if appropriate precautions aren’t used when working with synthetic dyes. However, most organic dyes are non-toxic, and safe for children even though logwood is poisonous.

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Gautam Koli

This post is contributed by Gautam Koli.

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