Metal Detox By L'Oréal Professionnel Paris, An Innovation That Detoxifies Hair

A groundbreaking scientific innovation that strengthens hair while achieving perfect, long-lasting color

After conducting seven years of research and working with hairdressers all over the world, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris has developed Metal Detox, the first protocol to detoxify hair by neutralizing the metal deposits found inside the hair fiber.

New hair technology Metal Detox tackles an issue that is routinely encountered by hairdressers everywhere: even with strong and healthy hair, the metal inside the hair fiber interacts with the oxidant during color, balayage, and bleaching, causing breakage and a less reliable color result.

A partnership built on a deep understanding of hair

It took seven years of collaborative work with the University of Ioannina in Greece for our scientists and hair experts to identify the cause of these issues and come up with a solution.

Using their in-depth understanding of the nature and composition of hair, University of Ioannina researchers identified the reason for the inconsistencies noticed by hairdressers, namely metal particles deposited inside the hair fiber, rather than metal on the surface.

Metal levels in water vary depending on the environment. Wash after wash, metal particles accumulate inside the hair fiber, affecting more specifically porous hair. In addition to increasing the risk of breakage, metal particles, especially copper, react with the main active ingredients in color and bleach products, leading to unreliable color results.

Discover the Metal Detox innovation by
L'Oréal Professionnel Paris

“L’Oréal Research Department has collaborated with Ioannina University for 7 years since they are the experts in biomimicry and analytical techniques. They have developed methods that allowed us to identify the mechanism responsible for hair breakage during color, balayage and bleach services: Metal excess inside the fiber. From this knowledge and understanding, we were able to identify a breakthrough solution.”

Leïla Hercouet,
Senior Research Associate, Disruptive Innovation Department

Glicoamine: the molecule used by the Metal Detox range to eliminate the presence of metal in hair

Once we had identified the reason for the metal deposits, we were able to study a solution to counter the unwanted effects of these particles. Once again, our team harnessed their extensive scientific knowledge of hair, formulation, and active ingredients.

“As a colorist, metal in the water has been a huge issue and a big frustration for years. In Massachusetts it affects over 75% of my clientele.”
Sebastian Langman-Kirtley, Partner Hairdresser, Hair Expert, Color, Balayage & Bleach Expert - United States

The solution was Glicoamine, a patented molecule that is small enough to penetrate inside the hair fiber, where it targets metal particles, even when they are sparsely distributed, and uses its chelating properties to bond with them.
 
This revolutionary scientific advance paved the way for a major cosmetic innovation by making it possible to develop products capable of neutralizing the metal present inside hair.
 

Discover more about the Composition of Our Products

Metal Detox, the first-ever professional detox product range

The Metal Detox protocol by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris represents the first-ever application for this innovation, through a professional product range built around a three-step process:

Step 1: A pre-treatment that neutralizes metal before color, balayage and bleach services.  

Step 2: An anti-metal cleansing cream that detoxifies the hair after the service.  

Step 3: A protecting care that prevents new particles from coming back.

A scientifically tested and proven innovation

To support this breakthrough, our teams set up a complete testing protocol in order to scientifically prove Glicoamine’s properties.

A recognized partnership to create a protocol designed to meet hairdressers’ needs

We owe this new product to a unique collaborative approach and development efforts undertaken in conjunction with Charlotte Catherin, Washington Nunnes and Sebastian Langman-Kirtley, our partner hairdressers and color, balayage & bleach experts. This enabled us to create a product range that provides an exact solution to the daily needs of hair professionals.

102 instrumental tests in the labs and over 1,000 in-salon tests on real customers were carried out to demonstrate the revolutionary results of Glicoamine, with:

87%

Reduction in breakage risk

100%

Reliable color result

“The protocol brings balayage to a pure result. It’s like hair has been cleared out of its yellow undertone. Like this baby blonde all women crave.”

Charlotte Catherin,
Hair Expert, Color, Balayage & Bleach Expert - France

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