Why hair cuticles open

And how keratin-rebuilding products repair them 

Hair health begins with the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair shaft that acts as a natural shield. When the cuticles are closed and compact, hair appears smooth, shiny, and soft. Conversely, when they open or split, the hair becomes dull, brittle, and prone to breakage.

Why do hair cuticles open up?

The main causes are related to chemical and environmental stressors:

• aggressive treatments such as coloring, bleaching, or straightening

• frequent use of hair dryers and flat irons at high temperatures

• exposure to smog, sun, and humidity

• lack of moisture and nutrients

Under these conditions, the cuticle lifts, the hair shaft loses its density, and the hair becomes dull and rough to the touch... So what can you do?

How Keraricostructive Products Work

Napura’s Rikeir line is dedicated to keratin-rebuilding treatments. 

The main ingredients found in these formulas are:

Wheat, rice, and almond proteins, which have a repairing and strengthening effect: they bind to the hair’s natural keratin, filling in micro-fractures in the hair shaft and making it stronger and more elastic.

Avocado and jojoba oils, on the other hand, have an emollient and nourishing effect: they help seal the cuticles, creating a protective film that locks in moisture and protects against future damage.

A Specific Routine: Shampoo, Mask, and Fluid

• Restorative shampoo: gently cleanses and prepares the hair fiber to absorb nutrients. S|9 Rikeir is a restorative shampoo for damaged hair; the first step in the routine, formulated with plant-based microproteins, it quickly strengthens fragile areas of the hair and provides firmness and nourishment to the hair fiber. 

• Repairing mask: enriched with plant proteins and oils, it restores the hair fiber’s structure, leaving hair soft and shiny. C|9 Rikeir Restorative Mask for Damaged Hair acts directly on damaged areas of the hair, regenerating the hair structure from within.

• Keraricostructive Fluid: A leave-in treatment that creates a protective barrier which continues to work over time, counteracting the effects of heat, smog, and humidity. K|9 Rikeir is a restructuring repair treatment for damaged hair—perfect for completing the Rikeir treatment. It helps repair and restore the beauty of the mid-lengths and ends. Ideal for styling damaged hair, it defines and enhances frizzy and unruly hair, leaving it soft and shiny.