If you’ve ever turned to a salon for help repairing damaged hair after one too many perming, bleach, or colour sessions, you might have heard of the “Olaplex” hair treatment. This game-changing hair care solution has generated a lot of interest in recent years.
Even world-leading beauty queens like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have publicly championed it as one of their favorite hair treatment options. But what exactly is Olaplex, and what can it actually do for your hair?
Well, the Olaplex website claims that it’s a solution for “restoring compromised hair” or providing customers with the ultimate “breakage insurance.” But what does that really mean?
As a leading Korean hair salon that offers many different types of treatments, including Olaplex, we decided it was time to clear things up once and for all. Here’s everything you need to know about Olaplex, from what it does to how it works, and why you should consider booking this treatment the next time you visit us.
What is an Olaplex Treatment?
Olaplex is a three-step hair treatment process that aims to both repair existing damage to your hair caused by things like bleach, colour, and perms, and prevent additional damage. The first two steps in the Olaplex process typically take place within a hair salon, while the third step and beyond can be completed at home.
Part of what makes Olaplex so compelling is that unlike some other types of hair treatment, it works with every hair type and texture. It doesn’t matter if your hair is frizzy, curly, pin-straight, fine, or thick – Olaplex can still deliver results.
You don’t even need to have a lot of damage to your hair to benefit from Olaplex. All hair, no matter how well it’s cared for, goes through stress than can lead to breakage over time. Applying Olaplex is a lot like giving your hair a gym routine to make it stronger and more resilient. The more you use the solution, the stronger, healthier, and shinier your hair will become.
Some stylists even use Olaplex to keep extensions looking pristine and natural – so if you’ve ever lamented the fact that your extensions seem to become dull and frizzy over time, Olaplex could be a great choice for you.
How Does the Olaplex Treatment Work?
Olaplex repairs, rebuilds, and restores broken or damaged hair, while providing extra protection against future breakage, with the use of a specific star ingredient: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. This patented ingredient actively seeks out and restores the broken bonds in hair caused by heat, chemical, and mechanical damage.
According to our experts, what makes Olaplex so incredible is that it repairs every hair strand completely, from the base to the ends, reconnecting the broken bonds that can lead to splitting and breaking. This means it can actively stop damage from getting worse instantly, and revitalize damaged hair on a molecular level.
Because of the way it works, Olaplex is considered a “bonder,” which means it reforms the disulfide bonds that make up your hair. It’s not the only bonder available from salons like PERFECT X HAIR, but it is one of the most respected options in the industry, particularly for certain clients.
What to Expect from an Olaplex Treatment
As mentioned above, Olaplex is a three-part system. You might have seen Olaplex products available to purchase online or from local beauty stores. However, these products just cover the third step of the treatment, which you can complete at home.
For a full Olaplex hair treatment, you need a salon appointment. The first two stages of the treatment involve products that are sold directly to salons, and need to be applied by trained professionals to deliver the best results.
During the first stage, your stylist will apply something called “No.1 Bond Multiplier” to your hair. This substance combines a form of the active bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate ingredient with water. Sometimes, it’s sprayed directly onto your hair with no prior treatment. Other times, it might be added to a permanent dye solution when your stylist is colouring your hair.
The second stage involves a product called “No.2 Bond Perfector”. Again, this also includes the active ingredient, but in a smaller amount. The bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate in this treatment is also combined with other conditioning agents, and is usually left to soak into your hair for around 20 minutes, before being washed out by your stylist.
Usually, an Olaplex hair treatment won’t actually add a lot of extra time to your appointment, so you don’t have to dedicate extra hours to sitting in a salon chair if you’re on a tight schedule. After your stylist completes the first two stages of the treatment, they’ll give you advice on how to use the third treatment step at home, to maintain your results for longer.
Who Should Consider an Olaplex Hair Treatment?
As mentioned above, Olaplex is a hair treatment that’s suitable for anyone, regardless of their hair type, or the kind of damage they want to repair or prevent.
Many people opt for this treatment after they get a service from a salon that could potentially cause damage to their hair. For instance, if you get a perm, a balayage, or a colour treatment, this exposes your hair to chemicals and damage that can weaken its bonds.
It’s particularly effective at mitigating damage from more extreme hair transformations. For instance, Kylie Jenner claims the Olaplex treatment is what has allowed her to go from raven black to platinum blonde hair overnight without any breakage.
However, Olaplex doesn’t just repair damage caused by bleaching and colouring. Even if you don’t colour your hair, but you get your hair permed, or use a lot of heat styling tools that could potentially lead to damage, Olaplex could be a great option for you.
The Benefits of an Olaplex Treatment
Olaplex is a tool for strengthening and revitalizing your hair. It’s a tried-and-tested option for anyone who just wants to ensure their hair stays as healthy as possible, no matter what kind of damage it might be exposed to.
Getting an Olaplex hair treatment from a salon like PERFECT X HAIR will:
- Reverse damage to your hair: Whether you regularly dye or bleach your hair, or frequently change the structure of your hair with perming, Olaplex can help to reverse this damage and restore your hair to it’s healthiest form.
- Protect your hair from all kinds of damage: Aside from repairing damage, Olaplex helps to protect your hair from future issues too. It can help to reduce the risk of your hair becoming dry or brittle, or suffering from breakage when you expose it to heat and chemicals. It can also protect against damage caused by UV rays and regular sun exposure.
- Make your hair stronger: By repairing the disulphide bonds throughout your hair, from root to tip, Olaplex actually makes your hair stronger. It can even reduce your risk of breakage and hair loss if you’re worried about thinning hair.
- Improve your hair’s appearance: After an Olaplex hair treatment, your hair should feel much smoother to the touch, and look visibly shinier. Olaplex can even reduce frizziness and ensure your hair retains its natural bounce and volume.
Discover the Benefits of Olaplex at PERFECT X HAIR
An Olaplex hair treatment can be the ultimate way to not only bring your hair back to life and repair damage, but protect your hair from future breakage. It’s one of the most popular treatments we offer here at PERFECT X HAIR, and it’s fantastic for people with all hair types.
Whether you’re worried about damage to your hair caused by perms, colours, or bleach, or you simply want to give your hair a vitality boost, Olaplex is a great solution. This treatment will help to ensure your hair looks and feels beautiful, nourished, and strong for longer.
If you think this might be the ideal treatment for you, contact the team at PERFECT X HAIR to learn more about our options or book an appointment.
FAQs
Is Olaplex better than a Keratin treatment?
Olaplex can be a more versatile option than a keratin treatment in some cases. Keratin treatments are generally recommended for people with thick, frizzy, or curly hair. Olaplex, on the other hand, is suitable for all hair types. It can repair various forms of hair damage, and protect your hair from future breakage issues caused by heat and chemicals.
What are the downsides of Olaplex?
Although Olaplex is a treatment suitable for people with any hair type, not everyone will see the same results. Sometimes, the active ingredient can cause scalp irritation, or may make your hair feel a little dry initially, before a follow-up conditioning treatment. It can also take a while for some people to see results if their hair is already extremely damaged.
How long does an Olaplex treatment last?
The results of your Olaplex hair treatment will depend on your hair’s condition. If your hair is slightly damaged, you should see positive results for longer – usually up to six weeks. If your hair is more damaged, you might only see results for a couple of weeks before you need to consider a follow-up treatment.
