Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original publication to clarify that Pojman Polymer Products offers two products: QuickCure Clay and QuickCure WoodFiller.
When his 12-year-old daughter couldn’t find a cure for frizzy hair that worsened as humidity levels rose, Boyce Clark used his background in biogeochemistry to create a hair therapy regimen, called Lubricity Labs, to keep humidity out.
Clark presented his product at the 1 Million Cups event today at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library at Goodwood. The second presenter was LSU chemistry professor John Pojman, who founded 3P QuickCure Clay, a first-of-its-kind clay that doesn’t require mixing, doesn’t dry out and can harden on demand with the use of a heat gun.
1 Million Cups is a monthly event that brings together local entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and community members to meet and present startups in the Baton Rouge area.
Clark’s daughter fought frizz anytime humidity was high, which is quite often in Louisiana. Despite their best efforts, no hair products could tame the frizz, and Clark was uncomfortable with harsh keratin treatments. Running out of options, Clark decided he would invent the cure himself.
“I remember thinking, ‘How hard could shampoo chemistry be?’” he said.
After six months of research, which sometimes involved washing his daughter’s hair three times a night, Clark had a breakthrough. He created a product with glycolic acid as the active ingredient and other natural ingredients such as quinoa proteins and aloe vera, which are able to penetrate the hair, bind to keratin and change the angle of it.
“Basically it forms a shield preventing moisture from coming in,” Clark said. The hair is able to repel humidity and becomes stronger and softer with “tremendous shine.”
Clark’s Lubricity system includes a two-part treatment to be applied every six to 12 months. The products are available online at LubricityLabs.com and in Baton Rouge at Bumble Lane, Gaudet Brothers and Mercer Supply Co.
While Clark’s product engaged the hair and beauty market, Pojman’s product, 3P QuickCure Clay, drew interest in arts and home repair.
Pojman first demonstrated his sculpting clay, which he applied to a piece of wood and dried with a heat gun. The reaction of polymers in the clay and heat makes the product harden into a lightweight but strong substance. While the initial idea was to use the clay in construction and home repairs, Pojman quickly found another market for his product: art.
For innovative artists, the QuickCure Clay provides an alternative to using a kiln or oven. With cure-on-demand clay, artists don’t need to rush their art in fear of the clay drying up. The product is especially popular in fine art and sculpting.
“It can do fine, detailed work,” Pojman said, as he showed the audience a rose sculpted with his clay. In his own time, Pojman has used to clay to make brooches to wear pinned on his suites.
Pojman sells his clay, along with heat guns, online at 3pquickcureclay.com.
—Annie Ourso
