GREENPLEX® effectively penetrates the hair structure, as demonstrated by EDX analysis using copper salts as a marker, which form coordination complexes with bound molecules. These salts were chosen for their traceability and strong binding properties. Hair tresses were treated with copper salts, either alone or in combination with 4% GREENPLEX® in a rinse-off treatment. EDX spectra of hair cross-sections confirm increased copper salt retention when complexed with GREENPLEX®, demonstrating its enhanced penetration capability. This effect is further validated by FE-SEM analysis, which shows that 4% GREENPLEX® treatment repairs bleaching-induced damage, restoring the internal part of the hair shaft to its original compactness.

caucasian hair – GREENPLEX® at 4% – rinse off

4% GREENPLEX® restores the mineral balance of the hair, after chemically-induced damage. Among elements, sodium (Na) plays a crucial role as an indicator of hair damage, as its accumulation after chemical treatments is often associated with increased porosity, cuticle degradation, and exposure to alkaline agents.

By restoring pre-bleaching sodium level through its chelating action, GREENPLEX® helps maintain hair structure and improve its overall resilience. GREENPLEX® preserves the natural elemental composition of hair.

As shown in Figure 2, the levels of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and sulfur (S) remain consistent between virgin and GREENPLEX®-treated hair. Sulfur, a key component of keratin and essential sulfur-containing amino acids, shows no significant variation, indicating that GREENPLEX® does not disrupt the fundamental protein structure of the hair.

caucasian hair – GREENPLEX® at 4% – rinse off

The molecular-level efficacy of GREENPLEX® translates into visible improvements in hair strength and elasticity. Studies confirm that Afro-textured hair, known for being the most prone to breakage and among the most challenging to protect, has a significantly higher tendency for breakage compared to Caucasian hair.

Cyclic Fatigue Testing evaluates hair breakage resistance by repeatedly applying force and measuring the number of cycles required before the hair fiber breaks. An 8% GREENPLEX® rinse off aqueous solution, applied to damp highcurl- type hair, significantly (*p<0.05) increases the number of cycles to break by 55.6% compared to the untreated group.

This demonstrates that GREENPLEX® not only restores hair structure at the micro level but also delivers substantial and visible improvements, making even the most challenging hair types stronger, more resilient, and less prone to breakage.

afro textured virgin hair – GREENPLEX® at 8% – rinse off

Elasticity is the hair’s ability to stretch and return to its original shape, serving as a key indicator of protein integrity and moisture retention. When hair is exposed to excessive heat, its elasticity decreases, making it more prone to breakage and loss of flexibility.

Applying an 8% GREENPLEX® leave on solution to heat-damaged hair (5 passes of a flat iron at 230°C) significantly increases elasticity by 10.3% (**p<0.01) compared to untreated, heat-damaged hair. This improvement is measured through a reduction in the elastic modulus, which quantifies fiber stiffness – a lower modulus indicates greater elasticity and improved structural resilience.

As a result, GREENPLEX® restores flexibility, enhances resistance to breakage, and helps heat-damaged hair regain its natural strength and movement.

caucasian heat damaged hair – GREENPLEX® at 8% – leave on

Method: Elastic modulus, measured by Dia-Stron CYC802, was evaluated on heat-damaged tresses treated with 8% GREENPLEX® solution, massaged and left to dry overnight. Test performed by Dia-Stron Lab.

Olaplex 0 is the benchmark for film-forming and protective hair treatments. FE-SEM images qualitatively demonstrate that on severely damaged hair (double bleached), where cuticles remain open, irregular, and highly compromised, 4% GREENPLEX® effectively restores the hair’s protective barrier, promoting smoother and more compact cuticles in a similar way to Olaplex, but with a plant-based, biodegradable ingredient. Furthermore, GREENPLEX® provides an effective continuous film without stickiness or heaviness, ensuring natural movement and weightless protection.

By smoothing and sealing the cuticle, GREENPLEX® reduces hair friction, enhancing combability and overall manageability while minimizing microfractures and breakage. This effect has been quantitatively assessed in controlled conditions.

GREENPLEX® rinse-off treatment significantly reduces dry friction in damaged hair, whether left on or rinsed off.

Specifically, it decreases friction force by 75% in leave-on applications and 66% in rinse-off applications (**p<0.01), demonstrating its strong affinity for hair fibers and excellent film-forming ability, ensuring effective deposition and performance even after rinsing.

This friction reduction improves smoothness, enhances protection against mechanical stress, and supports long-term hair resilience.

caucasian bleached twice hair – GREENPLEX® at 8% – leave on vs rinse off

Olaplex 0, the industry benchmark for synthetic hair repair and protection, enhances manageability with conditioning and anti-frizz properties, while GREENPLEX® offers a plant-based alternative with comparable benefits.

A direct comparison in a rinse-off treatment shows that GREENPLEX®* reduces combing force by 23% and electrostatic effect by 60% in damaged hair, demonstrating comparable performance to Olaplex.

These improvements translate to easier detangling, enhanced smoothness, and improved overall hair discipline, ensuring stronger, healthier, and more manageable hair.

caucasian bleached twice hair – GREENPLEX® at 12.5% – rinse off