Farouk Systems describes itself as a company created “by hairdressers for hairdressers,” with a broader mission focused on environment, education, and innovation.

Foundation of Farouk Systems

The history of BioSilk is closely linked to the career of Farouk Shami, a hairdresser who sought to develop safer and more innovative professional beauty products. Shami founded Farouk Systems in 1986 in Houston, Texas. The company subsequently built a portfolio of professional beauty brands, including BioSilk, CHI, and SunGlitz.

From the outset, Shami combined professional hairstyling experience with product development and technology. Farouk Systems credits him with innovations such as an ammonia-free hair colour system and the CHI ceramic hairstyling iron.

Development of BioSilk

BioSilk emerged from Shami’s research into silk proteins and their potential applications in hair care. According to Farouk Systems, Shami was the first to use silk proteins in creating the BioSilk Silk Therapy line. The fundamental concept was straightforward: because silk is renowned for its smooth texture and lustre, BioSilk aimed to translate these characteristics into cosmetic hair care. This principle became the foundation of the brand’s identity.

Silk Therapy is the product line most closely associated with BioSilk. The range uses silk-derived ingredients as part of its formulation philosophy and is marketed around benefits such as:

• Smoothness
• Shine
• Softness
• Frizz control
• Improved manageability
• A silky-looking finish

Farouk Systems states that BioSilk uses silk proteins to help nourish the hair while producing shine and controlling frizz. One of the brand’s most recognisable products is BioSilk Silk Therapy Original, a leave-in treatment serum designed to improve the appearance and feel of hair. Historical materials from the company describe Silk Therapy as having become a major product within the BioSilk portfolio, noting that it emerged in 1986.

The central scientific idea behind BioSilk is the use of silk proteins and amino acids in cosmetic formulations. Silk is primarily composed of proteins, and hydrolysed silk proteins can be incorporated into cosmetic products because their smaller protein fragments and amino acids interact with the hair surface.

In practical terms, BioSilk’s silk-focused formulations are intended to create a smoother-feeling hair surface and enhance visual qualities associated with healthy hair, particularly shine, softness, and manageability. Farouk Systems has historically promoted the amino acid composition of silk to explain why silk proteins are suitable for hair care.

It is important to distinguish this from medical claims: BioSilk products are cosmetic hair care products. Benefits such as improved shine or smoothness primarily concern the hair’s appearance and feel rather than permanently repairing the biological structure of damaged hair.

Although Silk Therapy remains the brand’s best-known concept, BioSilk has developed a broader range of products over time.

Silk Therapy Range

The core BioSilk family includes products designed for everyday cleansing, conditioning, treatment, and styling. Examples have included:

• Shampoos
• Conditioners
• Leave-in treatments
• Hair serums
• Thermal protection products
• Styling products
• Finishing products

Farouk Systems’ historical materials describe Silk Therapy as encompassing both treatment products and a full styling range.

Specialised Hair Care Collections

BioSilk has also introduced specialised collections to address different hair care needs. Historical collections have included:

• Color Therapy — products aimed at colour-treated hair
• Volumizing Therapy — focused on volume and body
• Hydrating Therapy — focused on moisture
• Silk Therapy Natural Coconut Oil Collection
• Silk 21 — a line incorporating silk- and keratin-derived amino acids alongside botanical ingredients

The portfolio has therefore expanded beyond the original silk treatment concept into a broader hair care system.

BioSilk occupies a distinct position between professional salon hair care and consumer retail beauty. Its parent company, Farouk Systems, has traditionally emphasised professional hairstylists and salons, describing itself as a “company of hairdressers for hairdressers” and maintaining professional education programmes alongside its product business.

Nevertheless, BioSilk became a recognisable consumer-facing brand, allowing its products to be used outside the salon environment. This gives the brand three key elements of positioning:

1. Professional heritage: BioSilk originates from a company founded by a professional hairstylist and developed within the salon beauty industry.
2. Silk as a differentiator: Rather than making generic “moisturising” or “repair” claims, BioSilk built much of its branding around silk.
3. Accessible luxury: The brand uses silk as a metaphor for softness, smoothness, shine, and luxury while incorporating those qualities into relatively routine hair care products.

BioSilk’s branding is strongly associated with the visual and sensory characteristics of silk. Silk traditionally represents luxury, smoothness, softness, shine, elegance, and refinement. BioSilk transfers these associations from fabric to hair.

Farouk Systems has described the brand as being inspired by silk’s smooth texture and brilliant lustre, with the objective of producing similarly silky-looking results in hair. This gives BioSilk a distinctive brand proposition: “silk for your hair.”[1]

BioSilk is not an independent company; it is one of Farouk Systems’ principal brands. The Farouk Systems portfolio also includes CHI and SunGlitz, among other products and initiatives. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, where it lists its BioSilk business.

Farouk Systems reports having more than 2,000 employees and distributing its products internationally. Its current company overview states distribution across the United States and more than 144 countries.

BioSilk developed from a professional U.S. hair care brand into an internationally distributed name. Farouk Systems’ international distribution network has allowed BioSilk and the company’s other brands to reach markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions.

The company’s international expansion is also reflected in its manufacturing and distribution strategy. Farouk Systems has entered partnerships intended to strengthen its ability to serve Asian markets, including a joint venture with LG Household & Health Care.

An important part of BioSilk’s heritage is its connection to professional hairstylists. Farouk Systems invests heavily in:

• Hairdresser education
• Professional product development
• Hairstyling demonstrations
• Beauty industry events
• Professional schools and training
• International beauty education

The company states it operates more than 500 CHI Partner Schools and maintains its own cosmetology school in Houston. BioSilk has also been involved in fashion and beauty events. Historical company materials mention BioSilk’s involvement with events such as New York Fashion Week and beauty competitions including Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen.

BioSilk has periodically expanded its technology and product portfolio rather than relying exclusively on the original Silk Therapy product. A notable example was Silk 21, introduced in 2017. The collection was designed around 21 amino acids and combined silk- and keratin-derived amino acids with botanical extracts. Farouk Systems marketed the collection for damaged or dry hair, highlighting conditioning, thermal protection, and UV protection functions.

This illustrates how BioSilk has evolved from a single silk treatment concept into a wider silk-centred hair care platform.

Farouk Systems remains a family-founded business. Farouk Shami is the company’s founder and chairman, while Rami Shami was appointed CEO in 2016. Farouk Systems describes Rami as being involved in the manufacturing, production, and expansion of the CHI and BioSilk brands.

In January 2026, Farouk Systems announced the promotion of Mego Ayvazian to President of Global Marketing, Shows, and Education, reflecting the company’s continuing focus on professional beauty, education, and international brand development.

Today, BioSilk remains positioned as a silk-powered hair care brand within Farouk Systems. The brand’s current presentation emphasises the beauty benefits associated with silk, particularly smoothness, shine, frizz control, softness, and manageability.[1]

Its modern identity retains the original Silk Therapy concept while presenting BioSilk as a broader collection of hair care products. The brand therefore occupies a distinctive space in the hair care market, combining professional salon heritage, silk-protein formulations, luxury-inspired branding, and mass consumer accessibility.

1. BioSilk | Silk-Powered Professional Haircare