KAIST spin-off launches shampoo that cuts hair-drying time nearly in half

Polyphenol Factory, a startup founded by a KAIST professor, launched the Gravity Quick Dry Shampoo on Thursday, saying the product cuts hair-drying time by nearly half.

Healthy hair dries quickly because tightly closed cuticles allow water to run off the surface with ease. Damaged or aging hair, however, has lifted cuticles that trap moisture between them, significantly extending drying time.

The shampoo uses a proprietary technology called DryMax 609™, inspired by the adhesive mechanism of mussels. Polyphenols — which bond readily to almost any surface — anchor themselves to the hair shaft and form a thin, even film that allows water to shed more easily.

Clinical data back up the claim. In tests conducted by P&K Skin Research Center on human hair bundles, surface moisture fell 56.14 percent between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 5 minutes of drying. Compared with a control group, the same amount of hair dried 1.9 times faster.

Root volume improved by 23.56 percent immediately after use, while temporary hair moisture rose 24.93 percent and cuticle roughness improved 20.57 percent. The product has been registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a functional product for relieving hair-loss symptoms and has passed a low-irritation test for scalp skin.

Consumer response has been strong. A pre-release batch made available at CJ Olive Young on Nov. 5 sold out in 24 minutes, prompting a flood of restock inquiries and a switch to pre-order delivery. Demand ran so high that resellers began listing the product at marked-up prices on open-market platforms.

Lee Hae-shin, the KAIST professor who developed the shampoo, said the product goes beyond the conventional role of shampoo as a cleansing agent by extending the design scope to cover the drying process and volume changes that follow washing. Polyphenol Factory and its sister brand Gravity, both led by Lee, will participate in CES 2027 in January — their third consecutive year at the show.