Ethnic Care
Curly by nature
Ingredients that help strengthen hair and prevent breakage are a must for Ethnic hair products. Botanichem distributes several innovative solutions to meet the needs of Type 4 hair.
Even though Ethnic consumers are embracing their natural hair, hair straightening remains a massive part of the market for both Ethnic and Caucasian hair types. This trend presents an interesting set of opportunities and challenges for suppliers of ingredients, brands and manufacturers as the products required for natural Ethnic hair care differ from those used on hair extensions, weaves and straightened hair.
‘ It is common knowledge that breakage and general brittleness are major problems for Ethnic hair,’ explains Robyn Brown, managing member of Botanichem.‘ This is because the hair shaft is highly elliptical with a twisted confi guration and a thin diameter. There are also intermittent variations in diameter as the twisting occurs, which causes recurrent weakening along each hair and makes it prone to breakage.’
Due to the curly nature of Ethnic hair, the strands wrap around each other resulting in tangles. De-tangling this also causes further damage as pulling and tugging can lead to hair follicle stress and traction hair loss.
Feeding hair with Omegas
Cobiosa, represented locally by Botanichem, produces Trichomega botanical omega acids, which are ideal for split ends and broken hairs. The active ingredient is extracted from the Sacha Inchi nut, which grows on trees in the Amazon. It helps restore hair’ s lipid layer, which is the only continuous structure that can be found on hair, increasing its resistance to breakage and split ends. It also enhances hair’ s fl exibility, preventing it from snapping.
Trichomega is made up of 48 percent Omega 3, 37 percent Omega 6 and eight percent Omega 9. By feeding the follicles, the Omega 3 promotes faster growth and healthier hair.
Fighting frizz naturally
In collaboration with Unicare, Botanichem also supplies Phytenso, which is produced by IFF Lucas Meyer Cosmetics. This natural hair straightener protects and conditions hair while fi ghting frizz. It also helps to
DID YOU KNOW? The value of the wet hair products sold in South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon currently exceeds R12 billion with South Africa’ s market for wet and dry hair care believed to be worth an estimated R4.5 billion. Source: Euromonitor International increase manageability of unruly hair.
‘ Chemical straightening is still big business but the long-term damage is severe.
Incorporating a naturally derived ingredient such as Phytenso into an Ethnic hair care product is ideal as it improves day-to-day manageability while reducing the need for chemical processes,’ she explains.
Dandruff and itchy scalp are also key hair care concerns of Ethnic consumers. Often, they are the result of braids, extensions and wigs and can be diffi cult to address because conventional antidandruff applications can be too harsh for sensitive scalps. Cobiosa’ s hair dandruff reducer is an ideal alternative; this glycolic solution has anti-microbial and anti-irritant properties to help reduce and control dandruff and scalp irritations. ·
Botanichem – www. botanichem. co. za Unicare – www. unichem. co. za
100 % pure organic
Moringa Oil
is known as the‘ Miracle Tree’ due to its
Moringa
impressive range of uses. Moringa oil contains important minerals and is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids( Omega 6 & 9).
Contact us
Botanica’ s Moringa trees grow in Limpopo and the oil is produced on site. Moringa oil has well-known cosmetic value and is widely used in hair care formulations. T: + 27 71 925 5870
E: info @ timola. co. za W: www. timola. co. za
Moisturises the scalp
Strengthens hair
Promotes hair growth
Possible applications: Shampoo, hair conditioning, scalp moisturising & beard oil.
P C Review | MAY 2017 | 35