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