Keratin: origin, benefits and deficiencies
Publié le 01-07-2020 et mis à jour le 11-06-2025
Keratin: the ideal solution to target hair loss and strengthen the hair fiber.
In supplementation and hair care, high-dose keratin intake stimulates hair growth, repairs damaged hair and nails, and restores strength, shine, and elasticity to hair.
Summary
I. What is keratin?
1. Origin and composition
Constituent amino acids
Keratin is an insoluble natural protein made up of amino acids.
It is a fundamental constituent element of hair that protects our hair against external aggressions such as pollution, drying, UV rays, seawater, and strengthens the hair's impermeability.
It is also responsible for elasticity, shine, and hair strength.
However, the keratin stock does not renew and depletes over time and due to aggressions.
Presence in hair and nails
Produced by keratinocytes, cells that make up the skin appendages, keratin represents nearly 90% of the composition of our hair and nails.
It gives them strength, shine, and elasticity to care for hair daily, deeply hydrate it, and make it silky day after day.
2. Its importance for hair and nail health
Its benefits
It is important to supplement with this substance to obtain harder nails, shiny and strong hair and also to reduce hair loss.
As a natural fortifier, it helps hair lacking nutrition to reduce hair loss, increase volume, and bring shine and brightness.
What is its role?
Used as a hair dietary supplement, it is ideal for strengthening the inner layer of the hair.
For a 360° action, courses of this nutrient can be taken in addition to cosmetic treatments that will act on the outer layers superficially to fill gaps and scales.
Signs of a deficiency
Mechanical, external, and chemical aggressions such as vigorous brushing, too frequent coloring, and sun exposure can weaken this protective substance of our hair.
If the hair is deficient in this protein, it becomes brittle, dry, and limp. Frizz or split ends can also be due to a lack of it.
What are the effects of a deficiency on hair health?
The lack of this protein in our hair must then be compensated again with the help of hair dietary supplements and cosmetic products for damaged hair such as shampoo, conditioners, creams, or moisturizing masks based on this element, so that the hair fibers can be repaired and the lengths regain a smooth and shiny appearance as well as optimal hydration.
II. Types of keratin
1. Alpha type
Origin and extraction of alpha
Alpha keratin is the most common form and is mainly found in hair and nails. It is extracted from animal sources such as sheep's wool. The extraction process involves cleaning and purifying the wool to obtain a pure and bioavailable protein.
2. Beta type
Origin and extraction of beta
Beta keratin is less common and is mainly found in feathers and scales. Its extraction requires a denaturation process to transform the protein structure, making it usable in hair products and dietary supplements.
3. Hydrolyzed Keratin
Origin and extraction of this form
Hydrolyzed keratin is obtained through a hydrolysis process that breaks down the protein into smaller molecules, thus facilitating its absorption by the hair and skin. This form is often used in hair products for its repairing and moisturizing properties.
4. In liquid form
Origin and extraction of this form
Liquid keratin is commonly used in hair care for direct application on the hair. It is extracted from animal sources and processed into a liquid solution that can be easily applied to fill gaps and strengthen the hair fiber.
5. Pure
Origin and extraction
Pure keratin is ideal for intensive treatments. It is often extracted from sheep wool or other animal sources and undergoes a rigorous purification process to ensure high quality and maximum effectiveness.
Pure for hair
The pure form of this protein is ideal for intensive treatments. It is often used in hair salons for deep treatments that revive damaged hair.
III. Use in hair products
1. Shampoo
Sulfate-free shampoo
Sulfate-free shampoos enriched with this beneficial ingredient are recommended to preserve hair health while gently cleansing. They help maintain hydration and strengthen the hair fiber.
2. Hair care
Hair care
Hair care products, such as masks and conditioners, are essential for deeply repairing and nourishing hair. Thanks to keratin, they provide shine, softness, and strength to hair.
What are the benefits for hair?
The benefits of this protein for hair are numerous. It helps repair damaged hair, reduce frizz, and improve the overall texture of hair. By strengthening the hair fiber, it also helps prevent breakage and promotes healthy growth.
IV. Supplementation
1. Extraction for supplementation
Animal keratin extraction can be done from horns and hooves, but can also be obtained from sheep wool or alpaca.
This is the case for our Keratin Absolute whose keratin comes from wool of sheep raised outdoors and shorn cruelty-free in the presence of a veterinarian and according to a very strict specification.
For optimal results on the scalp and hair fiber, our hydrolyzed keratin is made using a natural extraction process and patented that produces soluble tri-peptides with an amino acid profile identical to that of humans.
2. The benefits of supplementation
For hair
Trials have shown the effectiveness of this structural protein on hair at a dose of 500mg per day. It is therefore beneficial to take Absolu de Kératine, a 28-day treatment, at each seasonal change, for at least 3 consecutive months, especially for weakened hair.
For the nails
This protein is also a constituent element of nails, and keratin supplementation will help restore harder and less brittle nails.
Some advice
To enhance the results of the capsules of this substance and fight deficiencies, it is advised to reduce heat sources such as flat irons or hair dryers, to massage the scalp for a few minutes to stimulate the bulb and promote scalp breathing, and to apply vegetable oil baths such as castor oil, argan oil, or coconut oil.
Learn more about scalp itching.
V. The D-LAB NUTRICOSMETICS treatment
1. Presentation of the D-LAB treatment
Our laboratory developed a water-soluble protein component from sheep wool, manufactured according to a patented process to be easily assimilated by the body.
This component, which is the flagship active ingredient of our favorite formula Absolu de Kératine, was the subject of a randomized double-blind study on 50 women.
2. Expected results of the D-LAB treatment
On the hair
At the end of this trial, a reduction in hair loss was demonstrated, with better quality and stronger hair, and an 87.5% improvement in shine.
On the nails
Nails appeared harder and less brittle.
3. How to integrate a treatment into your beauty routine?
To achieve incredible and rapid results, the hair fiber will be densified: gaps are filled and scales are closed, then the entire path of the protein component will be completely restructured.
D-LAB commits with an innovative natural protein for a powerful anti-hair loss action and extreme nutrition. This protein, obtained through a patented process, reaches the bulb in high doses and works deeply to reduce hair loss, increase mass, shine, and brightness of the hair, as well as improve the structure of the hair fiber.
D-LAB Keratin Absolute
VI. Tips for optimal use of the D-LAB treatment
1. Duration of the treatment
All D-LAB formulas have a treatment duration of 28 days, which corresponds to the lifespan of our cells. 3 months or 3x28 days is the necessary duration to trigger cellular memory in the hair bulb and have more visible and lasting results on the fiber.
To provide the maximum active ingredients to the bulb and optimize results, you can do up to 6 months of treatment maximum, to avoid tiring the bulb.
2. Diet and nutrition in addition to the treatment
Where to find it in the diet?
The best way to nourish keratin is to have a healthy and balanced diet that provides vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
The best nutritional sources for keratin are: preferably seasonal fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils, oilseeds, and fatty fish for omegas 3, 6, and 9, and proteins (vegetable or animal).
What are the best natural ingredients to boost production?
To have beautiful hair, one must act from within by providing the nutrients that make up the hair fiber, because nutrition takes place at the bulb level. External care only acts on the outer layer of the fiber to protect it.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide daily and in sufficient quantity all essential nutrients, namely trace elements such as magnesium, iron, copper, B vitamins, and sulfur-containing amino acids such as l-cystine, l-methionine, m-lysine.
These nutrients are provided by a balanced diet but also by nutritional supplementation since, due to our modern life, diet unfortunately no longer provides them in sufficient quantities.
3. Are there any contraindications to use?
It is very important before proceeding with various keratin treatments and care to inquire about the origin of this keratin as well as about its dosage.
If your hairdresser has difficulty informing you, then make your request to the manufacturer who must clarify the origin of the keratin used in their products.
To conclude
This protein element is fundamental for the vitality and shine of hair and nails.
An adequate additional intake, combined with a proper hair care routine and a balanced diet, can help maintain strong, shiny, and healthy hair.
For optimal effects, it is recommended to follow a high-quality treatment like the one offered by D-LAB NUTRICOSMETICS.
