While some OLAPLEX products contain some protein, the amounts are minimal and not enough to be considered a protein treatment. Therefore, OLAPLEX is not a protein treatment. OLAPLEX works at a molecular level to rebuild the hair internally. Our hair contains millions of disulfide bonds.
While a protein treatment replenishes the lost protein by filling any gaps in the hair's cuticle, a bond builder helps bridge broken bonds and rebuilds the hair fiber from inside out. Both are a must in your hair routine, especially if your hair has been bleached multiple times!
OLAPLEX is a bond building product, not a protein or deep conditioning treatment and can be used as necessary.
The Olaplex process works while the chemical sits on your hair, because the treatment can be mixed into color. As your hair goes through the chemical change, the disulphide bonds are reformed faster and less breakage occurs. Protein treatments can be used in between your Olaplex treatments.
While some OLAPLEX products contain some protein, the amounts are minimal and not enough to be considered a protein treatment. Therefore, OLAPLEX is not a protein treatment. OLAPLEX works at a molecular level to rebuild the hair internally. Our hair contains millions of disulfide bonds.
These two are important to the overall quality of the hair. As learned in our previous post, Olaplex rebuilds the broken disulfide bonds in the hair, creating stronger, more resilient hair. However, it does not address moisture and protein, which both contribute to the health of your hair.
Experts recommend not using protein treatments with Olaplex, but you can use them in-between your Olaplex treatments to replenish your hair's protein levels. Some have tried using protein treatments and Olaplex together and ended up with disastrous results.
Olaplex cannot damage your hair, no matter how often you use it. Some users have reported that when they use it for long periods, the amount of time it requires to “take effect” will climb and climb.
Even if you completely stop using Olaplex, the disulfide link that Olaplex offered is permanent. The condition of the hair there after, depends on how the client treats their hair.
Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp is a definite sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Normally, hair should be pretty durable and full, so when it starts to droop, take notice. By adding protein back into the hair, you can revitalize your strands and get them to a healthier state.
Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment. If the hair stretches far and does not return and/or breaks, feels mushy, gummy or cotton candy-like, your hair needs protein.
Look for products that use words like repairing, restoring, strengthening or rebuilding – these are the products that will contain some protein. Ingredients to look out for include oats, wheat, rice, keratin, soy and milk.
Can Olaplex Cause Protein Overload? Since Olaplex doesn't contain very much protein, your chances of getting protein overload are slim even with repeated use. You're much more likely to get protein overload from protein-based hair products and overly frequent protein treatments.
OLAPLEX works brilliantly if you have a Keratin treatment (also known as a Brazilian blow dry). This treatment involves heat being applied to smooth and seal the hair shafts which can be damaging. So we recommend you have OLAPLEX just before your Keratin treatment.
As we mentioned, both K18 and Olaplex contain keratin which is a protein our bodies make naturally. Too much keratin can start to do the opposite of leaving your hair healthy and shiny and start to make it brittle and fragile due to over stimulation from the keratin protein.
George Katsaros, hairstylist, salon owner and creator of the Gkomb: Aveda's Botanical Repair is a great alternative to Olaplex. It's effective for most types of hair, particularly dry, bleached or damaged, as it works inside the cuticle to ensure deep penetration.
OLAPLEX is not formulated to treat thinning hair, hair loss, or promote new growth. However, it will keep the hair you have healthy, strong & prevent breakage.
Leave to sit for at least 10 minutes. If your hair is extremely damaged (or if it just needs a little boost), you can leave the Olaplex on for up to 90 minutes.
There are no proteins in the 4-in-1 Moisture Mask! Damaged and low porosity hair can become protein sensitive, and will not absorb moisture very well at all. So high protein products can overload the hair and cause dry, brittle, straw-like textures that lack shine.
Your hair may look and feel dry, brittle, dull, and stiff. If you take a closer look at your hair, protein overload may also cause split ends and breakage. It may also shed more. If you're noticing more strands on your comb or brush than usual, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.
Can I use it every day? Olaplex N°. 6 can be used daily on wet and dry hair, however, the effects of N°. 6 work up to 72 hours so you shouldn't need to use it daily unless you wash and condition your hair daily.
Olaplex is NOT a moisturizing deep conditioner or a protein treatment. Olaplex does contain some protein, but not enough to be considered a hard protein treatment.
Olaplex is a system that permanently rebuilds the damaged disulphide bonds in your hair that are broken during the chemical process. If you've over-bleached or had your hair highlighted for years, Olaplex allows you to rebuild the strength, structure and integrity of your hair; a 'reset' for your locks, if you will.
OLAPLEX is beneficial for all hair types.
Whether your hair is Color Treated, Texture Treated, Virgin or anything in between, it is damaged on a daily basis. OLAPLEX assists in both preventing that damage and repairing it, returning the hair to a virgin like state.