2024.12.15

Acquiring the World's First Patent Technology! Exploring the Unique Technology of the Hair Care Brand "Olaplex"

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"Olaplex" is a plex-based hair care brand that originated in the United States. Plex-based products refer to those designed to mitigate damage caused by bleaching and coloring. This brand is the pioneer of plex products, and its technology has been recognized as the world’s first patented technology.

How did this widely recognized technology come to be? We spoke with Mitsuki Mizutani, who is in charge of PR for Olaplex in Japan, about its origins and product features.

PROFILE

Mitsuki Mizutani

Olaplex Product Manager

Since her student days, she has been drawn to the idea of changing her hair color and style to discover a new version of herself, which led to her desire to be someone who could assist hairstylists. She joined a comprehensive beauty trading company right after graduation.
A year before Olaplex launched in Japan, she was assigned to the marketing planning department, where she has been involved in various aspects of Olaplex for over seven years, including marketing, internal and external sales, salon study sessions, and PR activities.

Developed by 2 Medical Scientists in a Garage

Can you tell us about the founding of Olaplex?

Olaplex was born in California, USA, in 2014. The research team involved in its development included Dr. Craig Hawker and Dr. Eric Pressly, who were part of a high-level team that would eventually earn a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Although neither had a background in the hair care industry, they began their research into hair care upon being consulted by Dean Christal, the founder of Olaplex, about hair damage care.

Because it was developed by scientists from the medical field, they were able to create groundbreaking products with insights that had never existed in the hair care industry before. I’ve heard that they developed their ideas in a simple garage, rather than a fully-equipped research facility.