Maintaining a strong and healthy scalp has become increasingly prominent among beauty treatments in recent years.
There are various problems that can affect the health of hair: excessive secretion of sebum, dandruff, irritation of the scalp, androgenetic alopecia, or hair loss that can have a genetic nature, the follicle shrinks until the hair stops growing (1).
Preventing hair loss and thinning often impacts mood and affects the psychological component, which is why hair care has made it possible to create a real haircare routine.
Remembering that the causes that lead to hair loss can be different such as age, sex, genetics, medications, low iron levels, pregnancy, stress, this particular hair situation is not immediately resolvable.
Hair grows in three different cycles: anagen, catagen, and telogen. About 90% of the hair on your head is in the anagen, or growth phase, which lasts 2 to 8 years. The catagen, or transition phase typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks during which the hair follicle shrinks. During this catagen phase, the hair follicle regresses and sheds the old hair.
During the telogen cycle, which lasts 2 to 4 weeks, the hair rests.
Among the factors that influence hair loss are age, pathologies, stress factors and hormonal factors.
Hair loss can be prevented to some extent by using products that strengthen the structure and the hair follicle in order to keep it healthy and strong for as long as possible and among the functional substances, Amino Acids can make a great contribution (2).
What is special about Amino Acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for hair growth. Most hair is made of keratin, a protein that requires 18 types of amino acids to be produced, which can be integrated into our diet.
Amino Acids help restore the health and strength of hair by making it soft, improving elasticity especially when the hair has low porosity and a weakening of the follicles has occurred.
Hair keratin is particularly rich in cysteine, a sulfur amino acid that forms disulfide bonds between molecules and thus gives strength and resistance to the structure. This amino acid is the most important among others for hair growth. Cysteine is a powerful antioxidant that protects hair from radiation that can deteriorate hair health (3).
In addition to cysteine, the amino acids in keratin include:
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Cystine: Not to be confused with cysteine, cystine is also known to stimulate new hair growth and prevent hair loss. One study found that cystine not only promotes new hair growth, but may also work to neutralize free radicals in the form of reactive oxidative species (ROS). Additionally, taking cystine in supplement form has been shown to increase hair mass by 20 to 30% and hair count by 17 to 27%. Hair growth was improved by about 50%, and surprisingly, men and women who took the cystine supplement showed a significant decrease in free radicals in their blood(4).
- Arginine: Arginine is another amino acid that contributes to healthy hair growth because it is a precursor to nitric oxide. A healthy supply of nitric oxide is necessary to increase blood flow to the scalp and to help our immune system defend against autoimmune diseases, including those that can lead to baldness. When combined with other protein-derived active ingredients, it is also useful in the treatment of split ends
- Glycine: helps improve and strengthen the scalp's skin barrier by providing moisture. This skin barrier reinforcement helps relieve dry and itchy scalps. Glycine can improve hair health and create stronger strands, preventing breakage and thinning.
What does the Fortiker line contain?
The Fortiker line is entirely dedicated to hair health and contains the Glixina complex made up of Amino Acids (Disuccinoyl Cystine, Threonine, Arginine, Valine, Isoleucine, Alanine, Serine, Proline, Glycine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Biotin, Aspartic Acid), Glycogen and Fucoxanthin, perfect for ensuring well-being of the scalp.
How do Glycogen and Fucoxanthins work?
At the hair level, Glycogen is present and metabolized in the human hair follicle. Glycogen is a sugar compound formed by multiple glucose units, it is the source of energy for protein synthesis during hair growth. During the hair cycle, the amount of Glycogen varies depending on the phase.
Fucoxanthins are a plant substance belonging to the carotenoid category. They are contained in various algae, especially brown algae, although smaller quantities are found in red and green algae. They perform antioxidant activity, protecting cells from damage by free radicals, and have an anti-inflammatory action.
The Fortiker line is composed of:
FORTIKER- Active Shampoo
The shampoo is formulated to strengthen and volumize the structure of brittle, dry and weak hair, but can also be used on normal hair to maintain a healthy scalp. The shampoo contains the Glixina complex and can be used for daily hair cleansing.
In addition to the Glixina complex, there are trace elements such as Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Iron, Silicon which contribute to maintaining the health of the hair, biotin and phospholipids.
FORTIKER - Active restructuring, strengthening, volumizing mask
The hair mask is a soft emulsion to be used after shampooing to strengthen and restructure the hair after washing.
Its high conditioning power makes hair soft and shiny and can be used on all types of scalp.
In addition to the Glixina complex, there are trace elements such as Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Iron, Silicon which contribute to maintaining the health of the hair, biotin and phospholipids.
Fortiker Mashera attiva is applied to wet hair after shampooing and can be used in different ways:
- mask: apply the product on lengths and ends, leaving it on for a maximum of 5 minutes. Rinse and proceed with the desired styling. Suitable for hair that needs nourishment, for a restructuring and repairing action acting within the hair structure.
- Pre-shampoo pack: apply FORTIKER Mask on dry hair on lengths and ends, leaving it on for a maximum of 15 minutes. Then rinse with FORTIKER Active Shampoo and proceed with the desired styling. Suitable for the driest and most unstructured hair and for a strong-action wellness pampering.
- Balm: after using FORTIKER Active Shampoo, remove excess water and apply FORTIKER Mask to lengths and ends, leaving it on for a few minutes for a conditioning and disciplining action suitable for all hair types.
- Leave-on treatment: apply FORTIKER Mask on lengths and ends of dry or damp hair without rinsing after application. On damp hair FORTIKER Mask provides greater conditioning and softness. On dry hair it promotes detangling and shine of the hair.
FORTIKER- Active Lotion- restructuring, strengthening, volumizing
Shock effect hair lotion that gives the hair structure, strengthening it and preventing hair loss. Among the functional substances in addition to the Glixina complex, there are trace elements such as Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Iron, Silicon that contribute to maintaining the well-being of the hair, biotin and phospholipids.
The kit consists of a blue powder component that must be mixed with the liquid component to activate the lotion. Once the powder has dissolved, you can apply the product to the scalp after shampooing, comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb and then proceed with drying your hair.
The lotion has a dry and delicate touch, does not contain alcohol in the formula and does not create heaviness after application.
FORTIKER.IN- Food Supplement
Fortiker.IN is the supplement that allows you to do a complete treatment that also includes the health of your nails in addition to that of your hair. It contains Bamboo extract, Zinc, Selenium and Biotin; moreover Fortiker.IN does not contain lactose or gluten.
The plant extract of bamboo is particularly rich in organic silicon, one of the cofactors that allows it to react with other components in the formation of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, responsible for the well-being of hair and nails.
Zinc: Zinc is an essential trace element that together with selenium maintains healthy hair and nails and both protect against oxidative stress.
Biotin: an “essential” water-soluble vitamin of the B group that, since it cannot be produced directly by the human body, must be introduced with the diet and contributes to maintaining healthy hair.
We remind you how important hair care and treatment is not only in some situations and periods of the year but constantly in order to maintain a certain frequency and rigor in treatments and ensure nourishment, brightness and health to the hair.
Sources for the article:
- Common Causes of Hair Loss-Kristin Walter, MD, MS-JAMA. 2022;328(7):686.
- Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment- T. Grant Phillips, md, W. Paul Slomiany, md, and Robert Allison, do- am fam physician. 2017;96(6):371-378
- Beneficial Effects of a Sulfur-Containing Supplement on Hair and Nail Condition- A prospective, double-blind study in middle-aged women Neelam Muizzuddin- PhD-Natural medicine journal-November 6, 2019
- Effect of gelatin cystine and serenoa repens extract on free radicals level and hair growth-P. Morganti et. al,, J. Appl. Cosmetol. 16, 57-64, Jul-Sept 1998