The age-old saying “You are what you eat” takes on a new twist in 2024, highlighting the potential for fermented foods like kimchi to contribute to the ultimate hair glow-up. The trend extends to hair care products, with fermented ingredients promising remarkable benefits for those aiming to enhance their mane.
Alison Cutlan, VP of Innovation at The Rootist, draws parallels between ferments and “superfoods,” likening them to the impact of kombucha on hair. Leveraging her background in biotech, fermentation expertise, and creativity, Cutlan emphasizes the transformative power of ferments for achieving stronger, healthier hair.
She explains, “The fermentation process makes clinically effective ingredients even more powerful, more bioavailable, and more biocompatible, meaning they are safely and readily absorbed by hair and scalp. So, in other words, it’s the best method to really make an impact.”
Fermented hair care offers several noteworthy benefits, according to Cutlan:
1. Active Root Support
– Fermentation supercharges ingredients, promoting healthier roots as a foundation for vibrant hair.
2. Hydrated and Balanced Scalp
– Ferments transform substances into more potent, skin-friendly molecules, maintaining a hydrated and balanced scalp. This contributes to overall scalp health and optimal hair growth.
3. Improved Hair Texture
– Small molecules from fermentation easily penetrate the hair shaft, delivering rich, bioavailable nutrition. This improves hair texture, making it softer to the touch and easier to manage.
However, Cutlan advises consumers to exercise caution, as not all fermented hair products are created equal. She emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing ingredients, noting that the natural fermentation process involves microbes like bacteria and yeast breaking substances down into tiny, nourishing molecules. This results in ingredients that are more potent and better received by the scalp.
