Updated December 2022 By Dr Jonathan Palmer

Olaplex - Everthing You Need To Know

Olaplex - Complete Guide, Everything you need to know
 

Olaplex is a hair treatment that is getting a lot of buzz lately. It’s being heralded as a “miracle” product that can repair damaged hair. Olaplex is even being used by some of the top hair salons in the country. But what exactly is Olaplex? How does it work? And is it really worth the hype? In this blog post, we will explore all things Olaplex. We’ll discuss what it is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth your money. So if you’ve been curious about Olaplex, read on for everything you need to know!

Description of Olaplex

Olaplex is a hair treatment that has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to repair damaged hair. The treatment consists of three steps:

Step 1: Olaplex Bond Multiplier is applied to the hair, which helps to repair damage and rebuild the disulfide bonds within your hair.

Step 2: Olaplex Bond Perfector is then applied, which further helps to repair damage and strengthen the hair.

Step 3: Finally, Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector is applied, which helps to moisturize and protect the hair.

There are now additional Olaplex products available, including Olaplex No.4, Bond Maintainance Shampoo, Olaplex No. 5, Bond Maintenance Conditioner. Also, there is Olaplex No.6, which is used as a styling creme and Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, which protects your hair whilst helping to make it more manageable and shiny. Olaplex No. 8 is a moisture mask that deep conditions your hair increasing texture and shine. Olaplex No.9 is a protective serum that helps detangle and style whilst protecting your from heat when straightening, curling or blow drying.

Olaplex is available in salons and can also be purchased online at Amazon for home use.

Does Olaplex Really Work?

Yes, Olaplex works, the chemistry is sound, and independent laboratory tests show hair increasing in strength and shine. Olaplex will not rebuild your hair, but it will restore many of the broken disulfide bonds making it stronger. Olaplex is definitely the go-to product for those that have damaged hair, especially those who colour their hair regularly.

Many people who have used Olaplex claim that it has helped to improve the condition of their hair, make it shinier and softer, and also helped to reduce breakage.

How Olaplex Works

Olaplex is a treatment that can be used on all hair types to restore damaged hair. The treatment works by reforming or repairing the disulfide bonds in the hair that are broken during chemical processes, such as colouring or bleaching. Olaplex can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as an add-on to other chemical services. 

The first step of the Olaplex treatment is to apply the product to the hair. Once the product is applied, it will work to rebuild the bonds in the hair. The second step is to rinse out the product and then shampoo and condition it with either your standard high street hair product or Olaplex’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, followed by the No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. 

For salon use, Olaplex offers two options: Stand-Alone Treatment - No.0 or Add-On Treatment.

Olaplex can be used at home or in salon, and there are at least ten different formulations available depending on your application needs. The Original Olaplex No.3 Bonding Treatment can be used weekly at home to maintain healthy hair. In contrast, Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Conditioner can be used daily for additional hair protection and strengthening. Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is a leave in styling creme that reduces frizz, protects, moisturises your hair . Olaplex No.7 Bond Oil can be applied weekly as part of a deep nourishing treatment to increase hair health and lustre. Olaplex No.8 should be used weekly during deep conditioning treatment sessions. Olaplex No.9 should be applied before heat treating your hair or during everyday styling in order to receive the most significant benefit. Olaplex No.0 is an intensive high-concentration at-home treatment for damaged hair.

Olaplex and Hair Chemistry

Now that we know what Olaplex is let’s talk more about how it works. In order to understand how Olaplex strengthens hair at a molecular level, you need to know a few basics about hair chemistry.

Your hair is made up of three parts: the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is where your hair gets its strength – it’s made up of long protein chains called keratin that are held together by disulfide bonds (you can think of these as “glue” that holds your hair together).

There are different types of bonds in your hair – some are strong, and others are weaker. The stronger disulfide bonds are the ones that keep your hair strong, while the weaker hydrogen bonds make your hair more flexible. When you break or damage these stronger bonds, it makes your hair weak and brittle. This is where Olaplex comes in.

Olaplex works by repairing these broken disulfide bonds in your hair. It contains a small molecule called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is able to penetrate into the cortex of your hair.

Once the Olaxplex formula is inside the cortex, it reacts with the sulphur-containing amino acid side chains, creating either new disulfide bonds or reforms old bonds. This makes your hair stronger and less likely to break in the future.

So, Olaplex is basically “glue” for your hair. It’s able to repair the broken disulfide bonds that helps make your hair stronger and less susceptible to damage.

How Is Olaplex Different From Other Hair Care Products?

Most hair care products only work on the surface of your hair. They can protect your hair from damage, but they can’t actually repair the damage that’s already been done.

Olaplex is different because it repairs the damage at a molecular level. It’s able to penetrate into the cortex of your hair and reform the broken disulfide bonds. This makes your hair more robust and less likely to break in the future.

Most other hair care products can’t do this – they can only protect your hair from further damage. So, if you want to repair damaged hair, Olaplex is the best option.

Is Olaplex Safe?

There have been no reported side effects from using Olaplex. It’s made from all-natural ingredients, and it’s been tested in clinical trials. So you can rest assured that it’s safe to use.

The Benefits of Olaplex

Olaplex is a hair treatment that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to repair damaged hair. The treatment is simple to use and can be done at home or in a salon. Olaplex can be used on all hair types and is especially beneficial for those with damaged or coloured hair. Olaplex works by repairing the bonds in the hair that are broken down by chemical treatments, heat styling, and other damage. This helps restore the hair’s strength and integrity, making it healthier and more resistant to future damage. Olaplex also helps to protect the colour of your hair, keeping it vibrant and long-lasting. 

The Different Types of Olaplex

All of the Olaplex product ranges possess their active ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate.

There are now over ten different types of Olaplex treatments available each branded with a different product number: Olaplex No. 1, Olaplex No. 2, and Olaplex No. 3 etc.

  • Olaplex No. 1 is the bond multiplier that can be mixed with bleach or colour and then applied to hair.

  • Olaplex No. 2 is the second step and is a conditioner used after bleach or colour and left on for 10 minutes.

  • Olaplex No.0 is Olaplex’s most intensive highest concentration at-home treatment for damaged hair that needs immediate attention.

  • Olaplex No. 3 a the take-home treatment that strengthens and repairs damaged hair between salon visits.

  • Olaplex No 4 is a shampoo that help prevent frizz, flyways and helps prevent hair damage.

  • Olaplex No. 6 bond smoother, strengthens, hydrates, moisturizes and speeds up blow-dry times.

  • Olaplex No. 7 bonding oil creates a healthy appearance and texture, improving lustre, shine, and daily manageability.

  • Olaplex No. 8 is a moisture mask that deep conditions your hair increasing texture and shine.

  • Olaplex No.9 is a protective serum that helps detangle and style whilst protecting your from excessive heat damage when straightening, curling or blow drying.

Some of these products have now been split for example there are at least three Olxplex No. 4s. One standard No.4 shampoo and Olaplex No. 4C cleansing shampoo and Olaplex No. 4P for blond hair. There is alot to keep a track of!

Which type of Olaplex treatment is right for you will depend on your hair type and the amount of damage it has sustained. HairKnowHow can help you choose the best option for your needs.

How to Use Olaplex

If you’re new to Olaplex or are considering using it for the first time, here’s a quick guide on how to use it. Olaplex is a hair treatment that helps to repair damage and prevent further breakage. It can be used on all hair types and is especially helpful for those with processed or damaged hair.

To use Olaplex:

  1. Start by shampooing your hair as you usually would.

  2. Apply the Olaplex treatment to wet hair, starting at the roots and working your way down.

  3. Leave the treatment in for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

  4. Follow up with your regular conditioner and style as usual.

The Olaplex product range now includes oil, masks, conditioners, shampoos, heat protection serums and intensive treatment formulations that most clients need at home or in the salon.

You can use Olaplex as often as you like - once a week is generally sufficient - but be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging for the best results.

When you should not use Olaplex

According to Olaplex, there are a few situations when you should refrain from using Olaplex. These include if your scalp is broken, sunburned, or otherwise irritated; if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in Olaplex; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

HairKnowHow recommends that you do not use Olaplex on healthy, undamaged hair. Olaplex is best used on chemically damaged or heat-damaged hair where the benefit is greatest.

Olaplex Gift Sets

Olaplex is a unique new product that has taken hair care to a whole new level. This product has been designed to repair and protect your hair from the inside out and does an incredible job at it. Olaplex is available in a variety of different gift sets so that you can find the perfect one for your loved one.

Olaplex Gift Set #3: The Ultimate Olaplex Experience Kit

If you want to give your loved one the ultimate Olaplex experience, then this is the gift set for you. It comes with everything they need to get started with Olaplex, including the shampoo, conditioner, treatment, and even a travel-sized bottle of the product. This kit also comes with a beautiful travel case so they can keep their Olaplex products safe while they’re on the go.

Conclusion

Olaplex is a fantastic product that can do wonders for your hair. If you’re looking to improve the condition of your hair, Olaplex is definitely worth considering. We hope our guide has given you a better understanding of what Olaplex is and how it can benefit your hair. Thanks for reading!

Get Expert Hair Analysis and Help

If you are worried about your hair porosity, heat, or chemical damage, or you want advice on what would be the best hair care solutions for your hair, then please get in touch with HairKnowHow and give a HairKnowHow Hair Analysis a try!

Please feel free to contact the HairKnowHow Team if you have any questions.