“K18 WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE TONER OR THE FINAL COLOUR.”

US-based haircare brand K18 has marked its India entry in partnership with Mk Exim India. Bringing Biomimetric Hair science to haircare with breakthrough technology, the highly researched formulas are proven to restore damage in just four minutes by rebuilding keratin in the hair for instant results. While the patented molecular breakthrough is clinically proven to reverse hair damage from bleach + colour, chemical services, and heat, Manish Dialani, Managing Director, Mk Exim India, elaborates on the product and its application before colouring.

What is K18?

The K18Peptide™ molecular repair service is a bioactive two-step, in-salon treatment infused with our patented K18Peptide™. K18 Professional Mist is a pre-service treatment that strengthens hair before a chemical service. The pH level of -7.58.0 shifts the cuticle layer to penetrate into hair’s cortex and hone in on damage sites. K18 Professional Mask is a post-service treatment that repairs damage caused during any salon service. With a pH level of 6.0-5.0, the mask helps to close the cuticle and seal in the peptide, with added lightweight conditioning benefits to keep hair smooth and soft.

How does it work?

When hair gets damaged, the polypeptide chains (keratin chains) that make up the inner structure of hair strands become weakened and break. When these are damaged, hair’s core structure responsible for elasticity and strength becomes compromised and as a result it loses its resiliency and shine – or the look and feel of healthy hair. After spending a decade in the lab scanning and testing all amino acid sequences across the entire keratin genome that makes up human hair searching for a breakthrough, we discovered one unique sequence (a bioactive peptide) that brings damaged hair back to its original, youthful state. This is our K18Peptide™.

Traveling deeper into the inner layers of hair than traditional repair products, our revolutionary peptide is just the right size and makeup to fit in and reconnect those broken polypeptide chains (keratin chains). And because our peptide is a bit of an overachiever, as a result of this reconnection, any disturbed disulfide bonds are also re-conformed.

Our peptide employs biomimetics to get the job done. To put it simply: Biomimetics is the practice of learning from and mimicking nature. Mimicking the natural structure of keratin building blocks (amino acid sequences), our K18 bioactive peptide is recognized as natural by the hair. It’s not washed away by water or shampoo like traditional bonding agents either, making K18 a genuine, lasting solution for damaged strands.

Why is the K18 Mist applied before bleaching/colouring?

K18 Mist is applied before bleach or colour services because it works on renewing client’s existing damage to strengthen the hair canvas pre-treatment. Its liquid formulation optimises the efficacy of the K18Peptide™ by opening up the hair’s cuticle layers and getting the renewing peptide deep into hair’s inner cortex to repair broken polypeptide chains (keratin chains).

How is K18 Mist applied before a chemical service?

Follow these steps for best use:

• Dampen your hair with water.

• Apply a generous amount of K18 Mist section by section, the amount needed depends on client’s hair type and condition.

• Wait four minutes. Do not rinse out. This is a good time to mix or prepare for yours chemical service. Follow it up with the usual colour application procedure.

How do you use K18 Mask as part of a lighting or colour service?

K18 Mask is used after processing bleach/colour by following the below steps:

1. Shampoo hair. Skip the conditioner.

2. Towel-dry thoroughly.

3. Apply K18 Mask, the amount needed depends on client’s hair type and condition. Reference chart for approximate dosage

4. Leave for 4 minutes before styling. Do not rinse out.

5. If cutting, begin right away. Make sure to wait the full 4-minute wait period before heat styling.

6. If toning, apply toner/gloss on top of K18 Mask. Process toner/gloss as required. Shampoo and rinse. Follow with a secondary application of K18 Mask. Towel dry thoroughly. Style as usual.

Will applying toner on top of K18 Mask affect the outcome of the colour?

K18 will not interfere with the toner or the final colour. Colourists tell us that K18 Mask actually improves their results, as it evens out the hair’s porosity, creating a more uniform and vibrant colour application.