What is chitosan and how does it help with hair hold?

Chitosan, pronounced 'KAI·tuh·san', is a complex macromolecule, derived from oyster mushrooms. Chosen by our engineers as the hero ingredient for our first hair care formulations, it creates flexible all-day hold,¹ without compromising on natural movement and shine.

The foundation of our Dyson Triodetic™ technology, chitosan uses a lightweight structure of bonds to support hair strand by strand.

“Chitosan is going to give you a much more flexible hold. It enables strands to move freely, and doesn’t feel too heavy or too greasy,” says Robyn Coutts, Senior Design Manager.

While some hold products like hairsprays create stiffness and crunch, our formulations use Dyson Triodetic™ technology, powered by chitosan, to create a web of flexible bonds around hair fibers – allowing each strand to move, flex and recall its style, in unison with the rest.

The technology simultaneously conditions individual hairs while locking in their shape.

“Traditional products can use a standard polymer that fixes the hair like a glue,” says Amy Johnson, Global Head of Education.

No one likes putting their hands through their hair and getting stuck, so we were looking for something that gives you that long-lasting hold without crunch, crispiness or tackiness.”

Dyson Chitosan™ formulations give you long-lasting hold, while maintaining natural look and feel. The Pre-style cream is used to prime your hair before styling with your favourite device and the Post-style serum defines your end style. 

Chitosan is also supported by oil blends, for formulas that help condition the hair surface, reducing frizz and giving a soft, shiny finish.

Discover more about the range and how to apply the formulas in our article How to use Dyson Chitosan™ styling products in your hair styling routine.

Chitosan is typically derived from shellfish, but for our Dyson Chitosan™ styling products we extracted it from the cell walls of oyster mushrooms. The ingredient gives the fungi its billowing, cloud-like shape, structure and strength. It’s these natural properties in chitosan that allow for flexible hair hold.

Dyson Chitosan™ styling products have been engineered to achieve great results on their own or when used together in your styling routine to prime and define your style – for long-lasting hold, shiny hair, and natural movement.

Our Dyson Chitosan™ range is compatible with all styling routines, no matter the tool you’re using. However, Dyson Chitosan™ Pre-style cream and Post-style serum are the only styling products specifically designed and tested to work with Dyson hair care devices. So, if you already own a Dyson hair care device, or you’re looking to buy one, the Dyson Chitosan™ hair styling range is the perfect partner to help your styles last longer.

We developed our styling products with chitosan to create flexible hold solutions for every routine.

Try the formulations for yourself by booking a Beauty Lab appointment. Enjoy a personalised session with a Dyson stylist plus a wash, a blow-dry and the styling of your choice.

¹ vs. untreated hair.