Flydye™  Explaination

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A brief concise explanation of how acid dyes work on natural hair and feathers is as follows.

All hair and feathers are of a protein nature and contain amino groups(NH2), which are positively charged(+). Acid dyes are anionic in nature and carry a negative charge(-). Opposite charges attract, so consequently, the negatively charged dye particles attach themselves to the positively charged NH2+ groups of the protein-based hair or feathers.

The molecular weight or size of various classes of dyestuffs will vary. Dyes of high molecular weight have more affinity for the substrate being dyed. Certain dyes of low molecular weight have less affinity which may require the addition of certain acids to reduce the pH of the dyebath, which helps to promote exhaustion of the dye onto the substrate.