Want to know more about Olaplex?

How does it work? All chemical processes, including colouring, and thermal styling break disulphide bonds in the hair in varying degrees. As these disulphide bonds are being broken and turned into single sulphur hydrogen bonds, Olaplex works by finding them and crosslinking them back together. This occurs before they combine with oxygen and create cystic acid, which eats protein out of the hair, thus causing the damage and breakage. By doing so, Olaplex restores and maintains the integrity of the hair.

More accurately, half the broken single sulphur hydrogen bonds relink at the end of the chemical process to form disulphide bonds again. Of those that do not, half combine with a single oxygen molecule and create a weak bond. The other half combine with 3 oxygen molecules (creating a sulphate group) and that eats the protein. Remember that this happens each time you process and has an accumulative effect (25% of bonds do not relink each time a service is done). Olaplex re-crosslinks both of these, thus:

• • Making the bonds stronger than before (in the case of the single oxygen bond), and
• • Creating new, strong bonds (in the case of the triple oxygen bonds), and
• • Stop the damage to protein in the hair

Olaplex cross links broken disulphide bonds. Nothing more, nothing less. All hair is made up of thousands of disulphide bonds. When any type of reduction is done such as chemical services including perms, colour, lightener or relaxers, these bonds are broken and hair is reduced. Reduction can also include thermal styling such as flat irons, blow dryers and curling irons as well as mechanical styling such as brushing. Even shampoos with a high alkalinity can reduce hair.

When reduction takes place, you have two possible reactions. A disulphide bond splits and forms two single sulphur hydrogen bonds. The first reaction that takes place is when a single sulphur hydrogen pairs with an oxygen molecule. This is a perfect pair with no reduction taking place.

The second reaction is what Olaplex works to prevent. A single sulphur hydrogen bond will pair with three oxygen molecules. This creates SO3 or what is known as a sulphate group. Sulphate group will create cystic acid. Cystic acid will eat the protein out of the hair. Olaplex works by coupling with the single sulphur hydrogen bond faster than the three oxygen molecules can preventing this damage a vast majority of the time. This is how damage is prevented during the process. Olaplex does one thing and one thing only. It creates both an ionic and covalent bridge between two single sulphur hydrogen bonds to form disulphide bonds. As such, it is not chemically possible to reduce the hair via Olaplex alone.

If hair is pushed too far, it will still break. If proper judgement is not used, damage can still occur. Olaplex is meant to be used as an insurance policy. It does not make hair invincible.

What makes Olaplex so special? It is the only product in the world proven to restore damaged hair back to health. It is also the only product known to protect hair from damage and breakage caused by all types of chemical processes. Olaplex penetrates the hair shaft and works internally, unlike other existing treatments and conditioners, which work externally on the surface.

Can Olaplex be used on all hair types and with all products? Yes. It can be used on all hair types and textures (Caucasian, African, Asian and Indian) and on all previously chemically processed or virgin hair, as well as straight, wavy, curly, kinky, fine, normal and coarse hair.

Yes. Olaplex works with all chemicals: perms, relaxers, keratin, Japanese and other straighteners, colours (direct, semi, demi and permanent, toners and glosses, ammonia based and free, as well as all known delivery systems including oil) and with all lighteners (bleach, super lightening colours, highlights, foils, meché, balayage, ombré). All products irrespective of brand, make or type may be used. Why? Because all brands use a similar technology to achieve the effect and they all break disulphide bonds in varying degrees whilst processing.

What does the Olaplex range consist of and how are they used?

There are 3 products; all contain the same active ingredient with two reactive ends in different concentrations and are designed to be used before, during and after salon services.

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Because it is added to the chemical mix by your hairdresser before processing, Olaplex No.1 Bond Multiplier has the highest concentration. It penetrates internally and rebuilds bonds as these are being broken by the process. It is also used in the now famous Olaplex stand-alone treatment to restore damaged hair back to health. Olaplex No.2 Bond Perfector is used by your hairdresser after the process and it too crosslinks broken bonds left over from the chemical service.

Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector you will use at home to maintain your hair’s health in between salon visits. It is not a moisturizer, so you should continue using your favourite shampoo and conditioner afterwards.

Importantly, Olaplex is free of silicone, sulphates, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, gluten and is never tested on animals.

Style Bar salons are stocking the in salon treatment and the No 3 for at home use. Find your nearest salon here or shop here to transform your hair with Olaplex.