
key benefits
Takes damage repair further– reconnects both polypeptide chains (and as a result, also reconnects disulfide bonds) for strength along the length + width of the hair - offering comprehensive, lasting damage repair.
Restores hair from even extreme damage- by working at the innermost layer of the hair, core strength and elasticity are renewed for strong, smooth, bouncy hair.
Delivers immediate and lasting results– hair is repaired from the first use and lasts past your next wash, for ongoing reparative benefits.
Simplified repair- convenient, leave-in formula works in just 4 minutes, with no extra rinse required.
Works on all hair types– because K18PEPTIDETM works on a molecular level (where all hair is the same), this product is effective on all hair types.
Limited Edition Fragrance - 50ml, Benefits as follows:
- (Limited-edition scen Reverses damage in 4 minutes to restore strength, softness, smoothness + bounce
- Immediate + progressive results
- Limited-edition scent )
Core Technology and Ingredients
How to use leave-in repair hair mask
full-size leave-in molecular repair hair mask how to use
1. Shampoo, do not condition. Towel-dry thoroughly.
2. Apply 1-3 pumps of K18 leave-in molecularrepair hair maskbased onyour length and density, starting at the ends and working up towardsthe roots.
3. Let sit for 4 minutes. Do not rinse out.
4. Comb, add product + style as usual. Use for 4-6 washes post-salonservice,then as needed.
Limited-Edition scent-50 mL how to use
In the shower:
Shampoo, don't condition.
Out of the shower:
Gently towel dry hair until damp.
Apply one mL/one dime-sized amount of K18 Mask.
Only add more as needed, Average use is two mL/two dime-sizeamounts (this is a highly concentrated formula, so you'll need muchless than traditional masks).
Work evenly into hair from ends to roots.
Wait four minutes for the K18PEPTlDErm to reach the innermost layersof hair
Don't rinse out.
Style as usual after the four minutes is up (fine to add heat protectantor styling product now).
Use for the first four to six washes, then swap to maintenance modeand use as needed.
Fragrance Notes on Limited Edition Fragrances
Soft, strong, bouncy hair for everyone
Dos and don'ts
Things to note
✔ DO clarify before K18 if you’re a heavy product user (demineralize for mineral + metal buildup).
✔ DO apply on clean, damp hair.
✔ DO wait the full 4 minutes before combing or styling.
✔ DO add whatever styling products you love after the 4 minutes.
✔ DO use for 4-6 shampoos consecutively for progressive results.
X DON'T use conditioner before applying K18 Mask (you can apply after the 4 min but most find they don’t need it).
X DON'T rinse it out.
The science behind K18
Our story
K18 is a biology-first haircare brand, powered by biotech. Using the power of nature andhuman biology, K18 unlocks new solutions to the biggest challenges in haircare - allwhile delivering a healthy canvas for hair expression. K18 creates purposeful productsthat are simple, effective, and biocompatible.
Our story began with a decade of complex research into the bioscience of hair, resulting in our patented molecular repair peptide. Through this research and the application of synthetic biology, we are able to do more with less, simplifying formulations and routines to support hair health and expression at home and in the salon.
Meet our proprietary biotechnology:
K18PEPTIDE™
K18PEPTIDE™ repairs hair at a molecular level across multiple types of bonds including polypeptide chains and disulfide bonds to reverse damage from bleach, color, chemical services, and heat*. Developed through biotechnology, the K18PEPTIDE™ is optimized for human biology and uniquely matches and clicks into hair’s keratin structure, reconnecting damage sites at the molecular level, K18PEPTIDE™ delivers durable repair for all hair types, restoring strength and elasticity.
This peptide was designed in accordance with our less-is-more formulation philosophy to simplify and minimize steps in hair routines. This biomimetic molecule laid the foundation for our biology-first approach to haircare and works in just four minutes, with no extra steps, and with results shown from the very first application. For salon use, find it in the K18REPAIR™ service (K18 professional molecular repair hair mask and PRO molecular repair hair mist), and for home use, find it in the molecular repair hair mask and molecular repair hair oil.
ODORBIND™
ODORBIND™ revolutionizes what’s possible when targeting and eliminating odors. Using biotechnology and synthetic biology, K18 bioscientists utilized DNA databases to find and mimic the strongest olfactory systems (our sense of smell) found in nature. ODORBIND™ harnesses that understanding of nature and biology to uniquely recognize, trap, and eliminate malodors, rendering them undetectable and releasing a subtle fragrance in their place. This smart-release molecule is vegan, cruelty-free, and certified Kosher and Halal. Find it in AirWash™, the reinvention of dry shampoo.
Resilicore™
Patented resilicore™ heat-shielding technology protects from heat deeper than ever before. Unlike traditional heat protectants that only coat hair’s cuticle, the size + molecular makeup of resilicore™ allows it to penetrate into hair's core to defend against heat from the cuticle to the cortex—as deep as heat damage goes. Inspired by proteins in nature that can withstand extreme temperatures, this protective shield fortifies hair from within for maximum protection against color fade, dry feeling, dullness, and breakage. This heat-shielding tech is inspired by nature, and recreated in the lab to be vegan, sustainable + and cruelty-free. Find it in HeatBounce, the future of heat protection.
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Collapsible content
How does the k18 mask work?
How does the k18 mask work?
The K18 mask works as a treatment to reverse damage in 4 minutes. It’s powered by our biomimetic K18PEPTIDETM to seamlessly fit in and reconnect broken polypeptide chains at the molecular level. As a result, disulfide bonds are also reconnected for reinforced strength along the length + width of hair—offering comprehensive, lasting, and progressive repair.
What is the k18peptiderm?
What is the k18peptiderm?
K18PEPTIDETM is a biotech-developed peptide that mimics hair’s structure to reverse damage by reconnecting polypeptide chains and disulfide bonds broken during damage from bleach + color, chemical services, and heat.
Why skip conditioner?
Why skip conditioner?
Conditioner leaves a film that blocks our peptide from penetrating effectively. Once the 4-minute wait time is up, feel free to use a conditioner, a leave-in, or any type of product.
I noticed there's alcohol in the formula, isn't that bad for you?
I noticed there's alcohol in the formula, isn't that bad for you?
We like to keep our formulas minimal, only using the exact amount of ingredients needed to get the peptide where it needs to go. Here the alcohol serves as an agent to optimize the hair environment for the K18 mask to work on a deeper level. Our unique blend of 3 alcohols functions to open the hair cuticle so the K18PEPTIDETM can penetrate the innermost layer of hair, reaching the broken polypeptide chains (keratin chains).
When should i expect to see results?
When should i expect to see results?
Most see results after 2-3 uses. The more damaged the hair, the more dramatic the results so it may vary depending on your hair type and level of damage.
Do I need to rinse this product after use?
Do I need to rinse this product after use?
No rinsing required; this is a leave-in hair mask. This is the key to its product design and the core of its revolutionary repair effects.
Traditional hair masks primarily work on the hair surface, filling the cuticles and increasing smoothness; these ingredients can be washed away with water. K18's core ingredient, K18Peptide™, is a bioactive peptide that aims to penetrate the hair shaft and repair broken disulfide bonds (structural damage within the hair).
It needs time to penetrate; the product needs to remain on the hair to continue working. If it is rinsed off after only 4 minutes, its repairing effect will be greatly reduced, and it will fail to achieve its mission of "molecular repair".