| It's no longer just what you put in your body that | | | | the fibre structure - as many as a million |
| counts, but also what you put on your body. | | | | microscopic capsules per square centimetre of |
| Wellness is fast emerging as one of today's most | | | | fabric - break open and release their contents |
| powerful lifestyle trends. World-renowned | | | | progressively as garments move against the skin, |
| economist Paul Zane Pilzer estimates it to be US$ | | | | continuously hydrating it. Invista has worked with |
| 200-billion industry with potential to grow to over | | | | International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) to |
| US$ 1 trillion annually within the next eight to 10 | | | | develop microcapsules. Two nourishing formulas |
| yearsGrowing consumer preoccupation with | | | | are being offered - skin moisturising Aloe Vera, |
| physical and emotional well-being has created an | | | | and Chitosan, a marine extract that imparts |
| attractive, sustainable market space that has | | | | skin-soothing properties. The product has been |
| already stimulated new business growth in sectors | | | | getting a significant number of adoptions in Yoga |
| as diverse as cosmetics, nutrition, health, leisure | | | | lines.The massage properties are the result of |
| and travel. Research has confirmed that both men | | | | combining textile compression technology and |
| and women are excited by the concept of | | | | temperature management in special high-tech |
| well-being benefits in clothes, especially those | | | | hosiery yarns. Legs stay cool in summer and |
| worn close to the body.The first success was | | | | warm in winter, and are toned and invigorated |
| perhaps tasted by Osaka-based manufacturer | | | | all-year-round by a gentle massaging action that |
| Teijin which saw 2 million pairs of its Amino jeans | | | | works vitamin-rich nutrients into the skin. Body |
| disappear from stores in less than 24 hours. | | | | Care uses Schoeller Outlast phase-change |
| Amino jeans were treated with arginine, an amino | | | | technology for body temperature regulation.Ohara |
| acid that is said to keep the skin youthful. Since | | | | Paragium Chemical is offering natural skincare and |
| then a number of manufacturers and chemical | | | | healthcare finishing agents based on combination |
| companies have started offering range of health | | | | of an amino-acid-based softening agent that can |
| giving finishes and textiles treated with them.The | | | | produce unconventional, less-sleek but full, elegant |
| micro-encapsulation processHuman skin or dermis | | | | silky hand and a number of innovative finishing |
| is made up of cells, blood vessels and nerves in | | | | agents that produce moisture retaining, slimming |
| an extra-cellular matrix composed of fibrillated | | | | or anti-ageing (anti-oxidation) effects.The |
| protein formations (collagen, elastin, etc.), which | | | | close-fitting women's motorbike pants from Richa |
| provide resilience to stretching, and a colloidal gel | | | | (BE) have a thin lining using Schoeller's phase |
| substance, which fills up the spaces between all | | | | change material, which can be removed in |
| the different dermal components. This gel | | | | warmer weather and reattached at lower |
| substance is chiefly composed of water, mineral | | | | temperatures.The finish, Parafine SC-1000, brings |
| salts and glycosaminoglycans. Most wellness | | | | out moisture-retaining, water-absorbent and |
| finishes on textiles use the time-tested technology | | | | softening effects from amino acids and aqueous |
| of microencapsulation to deliver active ingredients | | | | polyurethane in innerwear and pantyhose. Another |
| like moisturisers, therapeutic oils, or even | | | | finish, Parafine SC-3000, imparts the fat-burning |
| insecticides through the clothes onto skin directly | | | | effect of capsaicin as well as the |
| where they are absorbed by the dermis.Through | | | | moisture-retaining and skincare effect of |
| microencapsulation process a liquid or solid | | | | raspberry and squalane.Capsaicin is a chilli |
| substance can be encapsulated in sealed micro | | | | component responsible for pungency. It promotes |
| spheres of size 0.5-2000 microns. These spheres | | | | perspiration and cause neurological stimulation and |
| form a suspension of tiny droplets surrounded by | | | | generation of body heat. Beneficial effects are |
| a thin membrane/ polymeric wall protecting the | | | | anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial and promotion of salt |
| active agent before it is released, and are applied | | | | intake reduction. Raspberry extract has a |
| to a fabric through a simple pad-dry sequence. | | | | moisture-retaining effect due to presence of |
| During wear, simple mechanical rubbing of fabric | | | | organic acids such as citric and maleic acid, |
| gradually ruptures the membrane releasing active | | | | polyphenols, vitamins and minerals.Squalane is a |
| agent for cosmetic, therapeutic, energy boosting, | | | | saturated hydrocarbon made from shark liver oil |
| stress busting, moisturising or deodorising | | | | that produces moisturising and moisture-retaining |
| effects.There are also heat-regulating micro | | | | effects and permeability in the skin. A third finish |
| capsules that work on the principle of phase | | | | Parafine SC-5000, uses rice germ oil containing |
| change. Fibre and fabric functionalities like | | | | ferulic acid and -oryzanol that have high |
| protection, stretch, UV protection and enhanced | | | | anti-oxidation properties effective in skincare, |
| thermal properties can also be combined with | | | | along with vitamin E and squalane. Vitamin E is |
| these specialised finishes to enhance the feeling of | | | | known to be anti-oxidation vitamin and is used as |
| well-being.Japan, the powerhouse of innovation | | | | a generic term for fat-soluble tocopherols.Also, |
| recognised the growth in this sector early on. A | | | | Cognis performance chemicals are integrating |
| number of manufacturers have introduced | | | | under their Skintex range the expertise and |
| supplements like amino acids, vitamins, xylitol and | | | | experience of micro-technology with the powers |
| other food additives into fabric to maintain pH | | | | of nature. Skintex chemicals are a blend of |
| balance in the skin or keep wearers cool. Amino | | | | precious essential oils derived from the |
| acid manufacturer Ajinomoto teamed up with | | | | cold-pressed peel of plants, herbs and fruit or are |
| major sports goods firm Mizuno Corp last year to | | | | carefully distilled from blossoms and leavesSkintex |
| develop the "Amino Veil" brand. The amino acids in | | | | range of essential oil blends by Cognis |
| Amino Veil branded tennis and golf clothes | | | | performance chemicalsCosmetic textilesTwo |
| dissolve into wearer's perspiration, enhancing the | | | | apparently non-related industries, textiles and |
| material's ability to absorb moisture and keep the | | | | cosmetics, are coming together and clearing the |
| skin's pH (potential of hydrogen) level balanced. | | | | way for amazing prospects with the first |
| The amino acid used in the product above is | | | | 'cosmetic textiles'. These combine the active |
| arginine, which helps to regenerate skin.Clothes for | | | | principles of cosmetics with textile fibers. |
| wellnessClothing manufacturers and food | | | | Cosmétil Innovations, specialising in the |
| ingredient companies are hoping to boost profits | | | | manufacture of the new textiles has already |
| with several new inventions. Sports clothing firm | | | | devised several products that are sold by major |
| Yonex has launched a range with xylitol, the | | | | mail-order groups.For chemicals of cosmetic and |
| sweetener more commonly found in chewing | | | | beauty functions, Cosméfil is offering |
| gum. It absorbs heat when it comes into contact | | | | Beautiva range of cosmeto-textiles targeted at |
| with water and is said to offer a cooling effect. | | | | busy women who have little time to devote to |
| Thus, xylitol-enhanced jeans can keep the wearer | | | | caring for their skin and figure. Beautiva |
| cooler if she or he begins to sweat.Yonex | | | | cosmeto-textile garments are available in boxed |
| Xylitol-impregnated Very Cool Polo Shirts lower | | | | sets of pre-treated panty hose, hose, knee-highs, |
| body heat by 3 degrees for more comfort during | | | | lingerie or socks. The fabric of the garment is |
| the heat of play. This new Yonex development in | | | | impregnated with the active ingredient, which is |
| high-tech sportswear is worn by tennis stars | | | | released by the warmth of the skin when the |
| Monica Seles, Elena Dementieva, David Nalbandian, | | | | garment is worn.Garments may be worn for |
| Jelena Dokic and by leading badminton players.Fuji | | | | periods extending from several days to several |
| Spinning, another major Japanese textile maker | | | | weeks, depending on the specific objective |
| recently test-marketed women's T-shirts that | | | | (moisturise, relax, slenderise). The natural active |
| were covered in pro-vitamin C, a liquid chemical | | | | ingredients used are - cyclotella, a microalga that |
| that turns into real vitamin C when it touches the | | | | works on fat metabolism, promotes lymph |
| skin. The material boasts of providing enough | | | | circulation and helps resorb cellulite; and another |
| amount of vitamin C as one would find in two | | | | microscopic algae Padina pavonica, an extremely |
| lemons. And it holds enough vitamin content for | | | | effective anti-age ingredient. The specific action |
| about 30 washes. Though it is still not clear that | | | | continues even through several washings. It can |
| the vitamins are actually absorbed into the skin or | | | | be restored thanks to the mini-doses or spray |
| that the clothing will do the wearer any good, | | | | included with the garment "re-impregnating" the |
| blouses, T-shirts and men's shirts made with this | | | | fabric with the mini-dose.Under a tie up with |
| "V-Up" technology are already available at the | | | | Cosmétil, Variance is launching a new line of |
| Takashimaya department store in Tokyo.While | | | | cosmetically inspired fluid lingerie called Hydrabra |
| vitamin C easily dissolves in water, Pro-vitamin C | | | | that invisibly provides moisturising and firming |
| is water-resistant but is dissolved by sebum, an | | | | effects. The bra has a specially designed lower |
| oily secretion our bodies produce naturally. As | | | | cup having an ultra-thin cloth impregnated with a |
| humans constantly produce sebum and sweat, | | | | lotion formulated with extracts of Padina |
| dried pro-vitamin C fixed in the shirt's fibres | | | | pavonica.In conclusion, the wellness business is |
| naturally returns to liquid and attaches to the | | | | proactive. People voluntarily become consumers - |
| skin.Invista (previously DuPont Textiles & | | | | to feel healthier, to reduce the effects of ageing, |
| Interiors) has launched a collection of Body Care | | | | and to avoid becoming consumers of the sickness |
| range that will deliver cosmetic and well-being | | | | business.To read more articles on Textile, Fashion, |
| benefits like freshness, moisturising and massage | | | | Apparel, Technology, Retail and General please |
| for leg wear and intimate apparel. The stretch and | | | | visit If you wish to download/republish the above |
| recovery properties of Lycra are an integral part | | | | article to your website or newsletters then please |
| of delivering these new functionalities. Underwear | | | | include the "Article Source". Also, you have to |
| that stays fresh has high consumer appeal for | | | | make it hyperlinked to our site.Copyright © |
| both men and women. The Body Care collection | | | | 2006Fibre2fashion has emerged as a distinctive |
| uses technologies that inhibit the growth of | | | | B2B platform for global Textile, Apparel, Fashion |
| odour-causing bacteria and others that trap | | | | and Retail and allied industries. offers business |
| odour-causing molecules, and then release them at | | | | solutions, news, articles and information that help |
| the next wash.Body Care also uses fibre | | | | to survive and sustain in the most hostile and |
| micro-encapsulation technology to deliver | | | | competitive business environment. |
| moisturising benefits. Moisturising agents stored in | | | | |