Increasingly UV protection products have been focusing on protecting hair follicles from the sun rays. This damage can particularly compromise colored hair, while also speeding up the aging of the hair follicle.
“In talking with customers, we’ve heard that consumers are trying to prevent color-treated and highlighted hair from fading, especially as they may be extending the time between treatments to save money,” said David Sutton, Dow Personal care product marketing manager.
Dow Personal Care used last week’s SCC Annual Meeting and Technological Showcase to demonstrate how its ingredient, ZinClear IM Zinc Oxide Dispersion are equally good at protecting from UV rays when combined in hair care products.
ZinClear based on nanotechnology
ZinClear is a range of zinc oxide dispersions, which was initially developed on the basis of micron-sized particles that allows better dispersion of the zinc in sun care products, providing full UVA and UVB spectrum coverage.
Dow launched the product line on the global market in April of last year, through an advanced distribution agreement with the company Advanced Nanotechnology.
However, the latest research from the company is likely to see the distribution program being extended from skin and sun care products, to hair care products as a means of adding UV protection.
Transparency is key to meeting aesthetic requirements
“Through our ongoing evaluations, we have found that ZinClear Im Zinc Oxide Dispersions are a good fit with hair care products,” said Dr. Tatiana Drovetskaya, senior R&D specialist at Dow Personal Care.
“Historically, the use of UV filters have been limited in hair care products due to different aesthetic requirements and a lack of significant protection in rinse-off applications.”
However, Dr Drovetskaya says her research team has found the ZinClear line can provide transparent UV protection that in no way jeopardizes the aesthetic requirements that consumers expect from hair care product, while also providing the all-important sun protection.