As hair is exposed to daily stressors such as UV exposure, heat styling and frequent washing, it becomes dry and damaged. Quinoa Pro EX (INCI Name: Hydrolyzed Quinoa) is a new hydrolyzed quinoa protein from TRI-K Industries that binds to the hair shaft and penetrates the cortex bringing moisture and repair deep into the hair.
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is an ancient grain found in the Andes mountains of South America and once prized by the Incas. Today, quinoa is best known as a food ingredient, offering a complete amino acid profile and the highest level of protein of all grains. It has now been found to have distinct cosmetic benefits as well. Quinoa Pro EX confers film forming and moisture retention benefits typical of hydrolyzed proteins, but has also been shown to provide substantivity and penetration on the hair for damage repair and control. Quinoa Pro EX is also paraben-free and gluten-free, making it ideal for natural and mild formulations.
The efficacy of Quinoa Pro EX was determined using fluorescence microscopy to assess the adsorption of Quinoa Pro EX on the hair surface and its penetration into the cortex. Swatches of double bleached Caucasian hair were submitted to a cycle of 5 treatments of a 1% aqueous solution of Quinoa Pro EX; control swatches were left untreated. After just 1 treatment, the Quinoa Pro EX sample showed 16% less intensity of fluorescence than the control; corresponding to improvement on damage to the outside of the hair shaft. After five treatments, the Quinoa Pro EX sample showed a 32% improvement , compared to the control, on the damage to the outside of the hair, and a 26% reduction of damage
inside the hair cortex.
