HexisLab boss addresses ministers on hair work

The head of a Newcastle-based company helping transform hair care across the world has addressed MPs in the House of Commons.

Dr Sola Idowu, chief executive of HexisLab, spoke to the UK Parliamentary Committee on Innovation and Diversity in the Beauty Industry to highlight the company’s groundbreaking work in developing tailored products for different skin and hair types.

HexisLab is aiming to transform the $550 billion beauty and personal care sector by addressing formulation challenges and creating products that cater to specific consumer groups often overlooked by traditional offerings.

His inspiration came from years of searching for better products for his daughter, which led to years of research and innovative experimentation.

And using its AI discovery platform HexisPro.X, researchers have developed a unique combination of ingredients to effectively address these needs, ensuring optimal care for specific hair types.

The system created revolutionary hair care products for textured hair, inspired by scientific expertise and lived experience.

The results were shared in peer-reviewed research publications.

Dr Idowu and his team have been addressing key areas of innovation in hair research, recognising hair types range from Type 1 (straight, European) to Type 4 (coily, African), and have distinct structural and chemical compositions, which require different care for the hair and scalp. 

Through HexisLab research at The Catalyst, in Newcastle, the company has identified three key challenges for Type 3 & 4 hair: moisture retention, inflammation reduction and UV protection.

One of HexisLab's innovations is Laylakays.com, an award-winning haircare product brand developed to repair and maintenance of curly textured Type 3 & 4 hair.

Dr Idowu said: “I outlined to the committee the challenges that people with Type 3 & 4 hair and darker skin types have faced in finding efficacious hair care products, as well as the challenge of leading an innovative biotech business as a black founder in the UK.

“Black-owned businesses attract just 0.24 per cent of total venture capital investment, and there is distrust in the UK finance industry towards ethnic minority businesses - a community which contributes more than £25 billion annually to the UK economy.”

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