At the very dawn of the wellness movement, the elusive term was something seemingly reserved for the upper echelon, who had the luxury of time and capital to devote to exploring expensive new trends and never-before-seen treatments. However, wellness is now a buzzword that pervades a much wider swath of society, and its proponents have campaigned for an increasingly widespread and accessible approach to wellness, now reflected in the personal habits and consumer preferences of mass audiences. In particular it seems there has been an accelerated emphasis recently on attentiveness towards what we put in and on our bodies (whether it is organic superfoods, personalized supplement regimens, clean beauty products) in order to keep us functioning as healthfully and optimally as possible, increasing both lifespan and healthspan.
As this trend continues to accelerate, so does this concept that the products we put in and on our bodies should be working harder for our health. It is here that innovation intersects with a surprising industry: that of textiles. Recent innovations in smart textiles and functional fabrics go beyond just the slimming compression fit of our favorite Lululemon leggings or the moisture-wicking abilities of our SoulCycle sports bras. These days, materials scientists are exploring how to weave enhanced health and wellness benefits through the fabrics of our everyday lives. Biohack your way to improved overall well-being with a few of our favorite new textile innovations.
Hyaluronic Acid Infused Fabrics
You are likely accustomed to the concept of ingesting hyaluronic acid supplements, or utilizing the ingredient as a key component within your skincare routine. But what about wearing it? PH5, an advanced contemporary womenswear brand, takes the concept of beauty sleep a step further by infusing their fabrics with hyaluronic acid to promote proper cell turnover, hydration and optimization of the protective barrier of the skin. Moving into an unexplored territory where science, technology and fashion overlap, the company has developed a hydraKNIT technology that mimics the beauty properties found in face masks and skin care products, and relies on responsibly sourced, plant-based fibers known as Ecovero Viscose in order to do so. Their PJ5 sleepwear collections are a whimsically chic way to take your self-care routine to the next level.
Infrared Textiles
Imagine having the ability to harness the benefits of the infrared sauna via the clothing you wear, the sheets on your bed, or the upholstery fabrics you sit on – all without breaking a sweat. Infrared textiles utilize the same bioceramic minerals found in infrared saunas, and embed them into fibers, yarns, and fabrics. The resulting “bio-responsive textiles” can then capture your body heat as an energy source to activate the minerals, and reflect infrared energy back into your body. Hologenix, the leaders in this space, have developed and researched their CELLIANT® infrared fabric technology, showcasing through their clinical trials a demonstrable increase in local circulation and tissue oxygenation. These efficiencies come with a host of health and wellness benefits for the wearer, including increased thermoregulation, faster recovery from physical activity, and more restful sleep. A variety of brands from mattress companies to luxury loungewear offer CELLIANT collections within their product catalogs.
Aromatherapeutic Textiles
Aromatherapeutic textiles are a sector of innovation that focus on applying essential oils to textiles, typically by enclosing them in a microcapsule that is applied by padding, coating, spraying, or bathing. Scents such as lavender or jasmine can be used to finish fabrics in order to help reduce stress and promote comfort or relaxation; for example in medical or spa settings where the extra emphasis on wellness goes a long way. One of the leaders in this technology, The Woolmark Company aptly trademarked its invention as Sensory Perception Technology™. Unlike the infrared minerals of CELLIANT which do not wash out or lose efficacy throughout the useful life of the product, more innovation is needed with aromatherapeutic textiles to ensure a permanent result – but the fact that this is a direction in which the industry is headed is thrilling to us at Paper & Diamond.
CBD Textiles
By a similar mechanism of action to the microencapsulation of aromatherapeutic textiles, innovations in materials science also consist of embedding cannabidiol, or CBD, into fabrics. The friction of the body’s skin against these capsules can activate the release of CBD into the body. CBD of course has been touted for a wide variety of relief for various ailments – everything from inflammation and pain to anxiety, insomnia and mood disorders. The thought of drifting off to sleep with greater restfulness and restorativeness due to CBD-infused bed linens is no doubt attractive to many.
These various innovations in textiles offer us the opportunity to automate our self-care and wellness in the background as we go about our day-to-day lives, much like we have already automated our autoship groceries or our autopilot Teslas; in essence, making wellness easier to access on an everyday level. Truly we cannot wait to see where the revolution takes us next.