Botox for your hair: 'Magic' molecule promises to smooth away split ends and signs of damage

By Simon Cable for The Mail on Sunday

Updated: 20:42 EDT, 20 August 2010

As every woman knows, years of brushing, blow-drying, styling and straightening can take their toll on your tresses.

But a new treatment, likened to 'Botox for the hair', could help turn back the clock.

In the same way that Botox and other cosmetic procedures smooth away wrinkles, scientists claim to have devised a formula which apparently plugs holes and smooths away tears in damaged locks.

How it works: Magic molecules promise to smooth away split ends and signs of damage

The treatment, which costs as little as £15 a go, is reported to leave hair feeling stronger and thicker – and the effects last for up to ten washes.

Devised by experts at L'Oreal Professionnel, the magic formula contains molecules that seek out and attach themselves to areas of damaged keratin – the protein which makes up hair fibres.

Then, according to the inventors, the molecules get extra busy by penetrating the hair shaft to seal gaps and breakages. 

On top of that, vitamins and glossing agents can be added to the serum at the same time, giving longer-lasting results than other conditioning treatments, which sit on top of hair strands and need to be reapplied every time the hair is washed.

Kay Connelly, technical director for L'Oreal Professionnel, said: 'Hair is not a living organ and we don't feel pain when it is cut.

'But one end of it is deeply embedded in the skin of the scalp and, at one time, it has been alive. 

'Our aim as hairdressers is to beautify hair to maintain its living sense, rather than allow it to continually dehydrate over time and fall off and crumble, like leaves off a tree.

'In the same way that skin ages and needs replenishing, so does hair. 'The cortex fractures from daily aggressions, such as brushing and blow drying, chemical treatments or excess sun, and when it becomes fractured it stops hair looking healthy, smooth and shiny.

Stronger hair: Cheryl Cole has appeared in L'Oréal ads and says their products make her hair feel 'stronger and full of life' Picture by Ken McKay/ITV/PA Wire

This product is different because it allows hair to repair itself from 'The molecule finds the damaged fibres and is able to change its structure to create a network or mess which plugs holes in the hair and gives it its substance back.'

The molecule, which has the trademark name Intra-Cylane, is so far only available through salons and has to be applied by hair-dressers.

It is initially washed into the hair using a shampoo, and then once the hair has been towel dried, more of the chemical is added in serum form, using a syringe.

Hairdressers say it is particularly good for clients with very long hair, who suffer from dry, split ends, or those whose hair has become frizzy or brittle due to heat damage from curling, straightening and blowdrying or repeated colour treatments.

And they claim that, unlike other conditioning agents, it is quick to apply, and can be incorporated into a normal cut and blow-dry. Because the molecule penetrates the hair shaft, it is also said to protect the hair from future damage and make it feel stronger and thicker for longer.

Mrs Connelly added: 'Those who've had the treatment notice a physical change in their hair, it literally bulks up and is thicker for longer.'

The salon treatment, known as L'Oreal Professionnel Fiberceutic, has been so successful that the firm is preparing to launch a range of shampoos and conditioners, which customers will be able to purchase from salons to use at home. The products will go on sale nationwide next month.