Hair Care: Repairing Damaged Cuticles Through Innovative Technology

5th Apr 2006

VRP Staff



Although we may notice healthy, shiny hair, we don’t often think about the science behind what makes hair healthy. The hair shaft is composed of three layers of cells—the cuticle or outermost layer; the cortex forming the main portion of the hair; and the central axis called the medulla. In healthy hair, the layers of the cuticle are perfectly aligned, providing an effective guard for the hair shaft. The cuticle protects the hair against stimuli and prevents the hair’s natural components from being excreted. Consequently, healthy hair has abundant moisture and shine and feels soft to the touch.

On damaged hair, however, the cuticle is peeling off, causing the hair to lose its shine and softness. Mechanical stimuli (heat from curling irons, blow dryers, etc.) cause the cuticle to peel off, and the negative effects of chemical stimuli (color, perm, etc.) allow cell membrane complex lipids to be excreted. This causes the hair shaft to lose its barrier function and enables the inner components of the cortex to be excreted.

An innovative hair product line specially developed to re-create hair from the roots and protect it from future damage is available from Vitamin Research Products. The Stephen Knoll New York collection, which includes shampoo, conditioner, and deep treatment mask, is a line of hair care products that cleanse, condition, nourish, restore and protect hair. The hair care line focuses on the internal and external structure of damaged hair shafts, reconstituting hair from the inside out.

The exclusive Re-Cuticle Technology is included in each of the Stephen Knoll New York products, to seal moisture and nutrients in each individual hair strand by covering damaged hair cuticles with a transparent bio-membrane layer that mimics cuticles’ natural protective functions. This locks in the natural inner moisture of hair.

Stephen Knoll New York products are based on technology that goes far beyond simply conditioning. This Re-Cuticle Technology developed by Japan’s KOSE Corporation, plants onto the hair active cuticles made using bio-membranes structure.

The patented Re-Cuticle Technology combines these three essential ingredients that allow dramatic results in improving hair health:

• New Virtual Tech Polymer (VTP) – A transparent polymer with strong affinity to the hair strand and a molecular design that references the chemical structure of cell membranes. The VTP combines the keratin on the hair’s surface and ions to impart an impenetrable coating for the hair and repair external damage to the hair shaft. Its self-hydroconditioning function makes the hair less prone to the effects of humidity and dryness, so it retains moisture and softness.

• Cell Membrane Complex Repair Lipid – Strengthens the bonds within the hair cuticles, enabling the hair to retain moisture while gently protecting and rejuvenating it to its pre-damage condition. In addition, the CMC Repair Lipids work in conjunction with the VTP to enhance hair’s natural defenses against external aggressions. The combination of CMC and VTP also has the dual effect of locking natural moisture within the hair, while enhancing retention.

• Hawthorn Extract – Contains large quantities of vitamin C and flavonoids, which offer powerful anti-oxidizing effects. This natural extract protects hair against chemical treatments and weathering.

Vitamin Research Products has made this innovative hair health technology available through three of Stephen Knoll’s products: Deep Moisture Shampoo, Deep Moisture Conditioner, and Deep Treatment Hair Mask.

The exclusive formulation of Deep Moisture was developed to ensure moisture penetration into the hair’s core, to restore suppleness and manageability even to the most damaged hair. Deep Moisture Shampoo gently cleanses and purifies as it revitalizes and strengthens damaged hair. Deep Moisture Conditioner was developed for rapid absorption, to ensure moisture penetration into the hair core. It leaves hair with exceptional body and shine, making it easier to untangle and more manageable. Because the shampoo is very rich, less shampoo than normal is required. In addition, the shampoo’s conditioning nature means less conditioner than normal is required.

The Deep Treatment Hair Mask penetrates deeply to restore moisture and strengthen the core of damaged and over processed hair. It intensely nourishes hair, leaving it with improved texture, more body, easy to manage and with luminous shine.

The shampoo and conditioner contain a color maintenance formula, Virtual Tech Polymer, CMC Repair Lipids, Hawthorn Extract, and Jojoba oil as an emollient. In addition, the shampoo contains an amino acid cleansing ingredient and the conditioner contains grape leaf extract to help retain moisture. The Deep Treatment Hair Mask contains Shea Butter (to enhance hair protection and to make hair soft and more manageable) and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (a hydrating complex offering a combination of moisture-balancing and film-forming properties that work synergistically to give hair better body control).

Together, these three hair products provide a revolutionary way to ensure the health of our hair.