An unusual innovation in hair care

An upmarket London beauty salon says it can give your hair the ultimate shine by treating it with a mixture that includes semen from thoroughbred bulls.

Hari's in the ritzy London neighbourhood of Chelsea offers a 45-minute "Aberdeen Organic Hair" treatment that involves massaging a protein-rich mixture of bull semen and Katira plant root extract into the client's hair.

Benjamin Ahrens a stylist for the salon explained that owner Hari Salem had tried hundreds of products - including wild avocados and truffle oil - before hitting on bull semen as the elusive element in a formula for making hair look gorgeous.

"Well we're always searching for purer forms of protein cause the hair's made up of protein and that's what makes it stronger so Hari met a bull farmer when he was on holiday and he was telling him of his search, and the bull farmer suggested the semen from the bulls why didn't he try it – which sounded like an outlandish and ridiculous idea but they did. They tried it secretly on clients. And then it worked so wonderfully that we decided to market it," said Ahrens.

The preparation of the gel includes the combining of the natural root product Katira and bull semen, "Two thirds of it is Katira root from Iran, which we have to soak for 12 hours in water - which creates a jelly-type solution. Then we add the bull serum to it, which is contained in straws and refrigerated until we need it," Benjamin Ahrens explained.

Test running Hari's "Aberdeen Organic Hair" treatment for the first time, Jola Bury from Poland explains what problems she experiences when styling her hair.

"Well I just hope that my hair will stop feeling very dry and I would say even damaged. As well, anytime I touch my hair that's what I get, that's what I feel, I just hope that will give more volume into my hair, and gives more style, and yeah I just hope that it will feel fantastic."

This treatment might not be for the faint hearted, but the effects of this odourless gel as promised by the salons owner might just sway the more adventurous at heart.

"It's applied to clean hair and just rinsed off. And then you know it's staying in the hair, this staying in the hair is good for it. Because it's protein and it's building it and strengthening it rather than just coating it. Penetrating the hair shaft," said Ahrens.

Costing 85.00 British pounds for the full treatment, Benjamin Ahrens believes that the "Aberdeen Organic Hair" treatment provides instant results.

"What makes this treatment different to the usual ones is the result is fairly instant. It gives the hair an awful lot of body, as well as shine, that's very important and long-lasting to make the hair look fabulous."

Having the treatment applied to her hair, Jola Bury was please with the over all results. "It does actually, it looks fantastic but we'll see how it goes," she said. Salon owner Hari Salem has said that the treatment will remain on offer providing the bulls can keep up the supply.