Colour-changing date rape nail varnish could be available next year

A couple of years ago, everyone was talking about the new nail polish that claims to be able to detect the presence of date rape drugs in drinks.

And now, far from just a cool concept, it could be available to buy as early as next year.

Looking just like any other nail varnish, Undercover Colors polishes change colour when dipped into a drink contaminated by substances associated with date rape such as Rohypnol, Xanax and GHB, warning the drinker if they’re in danger.

At the time, people – quite rightly – pointed out that it isn’t a potential victim’s responsibility to prevent an assault occurring.

But the concept’s pretty neat, huh?

The idea came from four male engineers who thought it up while studying at North Carolina State University.

According to their Facebook page the varnish is “coming soon” and in response to fans’ queries as to when it’ll be on the market, it has replied that there is “much to come in 2017”.

The website states – again, quite rightly – that while “the only perfect solution to drug induced sexual assault is ending it altogether”, in the mean time, “Undercover Colors’ technology provides wearable protection at your fingertips”:

“Simply dip your finger into a verified beverage and within seconds the presence of prevalent date rape drugs will be identified in color change.”

After all, according to Rape Crisis, one in five women aged 16-59 has experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16 – and 90% of those who are raped know the perpetrator prior to the offence.

We mustn’t start assuming that women have to carry self-defence tools in order not to be held responsible for their own assaults.

But for anyone feeling edgy about a drink they’ve taken their eyes off for a just a second, this nail varnish could be something reassuring (quite literally) up their sleeves.

What do you think about this nail varnish? Would you use it? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.

Nail varnish that changes colour when it touches date rape drugs

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