Your ultimate guide to Olaplex UK
Updated: Apr 27
If you haven't heard of Olaplex, where have you been? It has taken the industry by storm and is the most sort after hair treatment. There are so many questions we are asked regularly. We have put together an ultimate guide and have tried to answer them all.
What is Olaplex?
Olaplex is a hair treatment that is applied in a hair salon and can be continued at home.
How Olaplex treatment works
Olaplex is a bond multiplier Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (we're not sure how to pronounce it either). It works on a molecular level to seek out broken hair bonds that are caused by chemical, thermal and mechanical damage. Why Olaplex is good is because you can use it to restore your hair.
What is a hair bond?
Our hair is made of a strong, fibrous protein called keratin. Hair is held together by two types of bonds. The first is hydrogen, which are temporary bonds that give hair its elasticity. When heat is applied to these, it can change the style of hair.
The second is Disulphide which are permanent bonds that maintain the shape of our hair. Broken disulphide bonds make your hair brittle. This can be from too much exposure to sunlight, products such as bleach and straighteners.
Who created Olaplex?
Beauty industry veterans Dean and Darcy Christal founded the Olaplex company in 2014 in their garage in California. After patenting the technology, it has taken the world by storm.
Why Olaplex have different numbers?
Olaplex currently has 8 numbers. But what do they all mean?
Olaplex 1 and 2
Number 1, or Bond Multiplier, is used in the salon. It is the first step to rebuild broken bonds and begins the process of preventing damage and repairing hair.
Number 2, or Bond Perfector, is the second step and continues to rebuild and restore any remaining broken bonds. It ensures the strongest, shiniest and healthiest hair possible.
If your hair feels like it needs some serious TLC is worth remembering that these super-concentrated steps of Olaplex can be used as a stand-alone treatment. See the Freestyle Hair Design treatment options below.
Olaplex 3
Number 3 is called Hair Perfector, a once a week at home treatment. It replenishes shattered hair bonds in between your salon visits. How to use Olaplex 3; apply to damp hair and leave on for at least 10 minutes. You could even sleep with it on and wash your hair in the morning to get maximum benefit.
Olaplex 4 and 5
Number 4 is the Bond Maintenance Shampoo. It repairs bonds whilst gently cleansing your hair. It adds moisture, strength and manageability.
Number 5 is the Bond Maintenance Conditioner. Again, it restores, repairs and hydrates without adding excess weight. It eliminates frizz for strong, healthy and shiny hair.
Olaplex 6
The leave-in conditioner is Number 6, Bond Smoother. It hydrates and protects all hair types, including coloured and chemically treated hair. Whilst strengthening and moisturising hair, speeding up blow-dry times. Ultimately, it results in smooth and silky hair.
Olaplex 7
Number 7 is Bonding Oil. The highly concentrated, ultra-lightweight styling oil dramatically increases shine, adds softness and strength. It also adds heat protection.
Olaplex 8
The latest edition to the Olaplex family is number 8. The Bond Intense Moisture Mask is a highly concentrated reparative mask that adds shine, smoothness and body while providing intense moisture to treat damaged hair.
Does Olaplex fix all damaged hair?
Unfortunately, sometimes damaged hair is so bad no product can repair it. Over bleaching, dehydrated and brittle hair that snaps in your hands may be too broken. If this is the case, the dead hair may need to be removed before the treatment can be applied.
Will Olaplex help my hair grow?
Olaplex won't help your hair grow faster. It is not a treatment for hair growth. However, it will repair the internal structures of your hair. When your hair is more robust, alongside a healthy diet, using less heat, etc, this will help your hair grow.
Which Olaplex product is best for hair growth?
Healthy hair is growing hair. Your hair strands can be damaged after a treatment like bleaching and colouring, preventing them from growing. An Olaplex treatment can help restore it and promote healthy hair.
Will Olaplex help with hair loss?
It is not formulated to treat thinning hair or hair loss. However, the bond-building technology will keep the hair you have healthy, strong and prevent breakage.
Can Olaplex cause hair loss?
It's normal to lose about 100 strands of hair a day. If you experience more than the average, you should look into why. It could be genetics, diet, stress, health, vitamin deficiency, pregnancy or every excessive washing and brushing. The ingredients in Olaplex aid you to clarify your scalp and promote healthy hair.
Will Olaplex help fizzy hair?
Absolutely! Olaplex is perfect for frizzy hair. Flyaways and frizz are tamed alongside added shine. To help reduce frizz, we recommend using No.6 Bond Smoother on damp or dry hair.
Will Olaplex make hair thicker?
As Olaplex works inside the hair, strengthening and repairing the structure that has been compromised, it can make your hair feel fuller, thicker, stronger and healthier.
Does Olaplex repair split ends?
Can Olaplex fix split ends? Yes. If you notice breakage, split ends, and overall limp hair, you need Olaplex. Even if you don't chemically treat your hair or style it, the damage comes from environmental elements.
Can you use Olaplex when toning hair?
Olaplex is compatible with all toners, colour glosses and glazes. Should I use Olaplex before or after toner? No.2 Bond Perfector should be applied after the colour processing has been completed and rinsed. Leave on your hair for 10-20 minutes before rinsing.
Can you use Olaplex when perming?
You can use Olaplex during the perming process. No.1, with its Intensive bond-building technology, can be added to the waving lotion when wrapping the hair, and it does not slow down the processing time.
Which Olaplex for curly hair?
On natural curls or permed hair, it is recommended to use No.6, the Bond Smoother, at home. It is a leave-in cream designed to provide curls with a ton of hydration, moisture and help with frizz. You just apply to wet curls and either airdry or use a diffuser for the best results.
Can Olaplex be used on extensions?
Olaplex is ideal for those with hair extensions. Quality hair extensions will cost you a lot of money, so you want to take care of them. Using Olaplex is going to keep them looking beautiful and realistic.
Can Olaplex damage hair?
Not matter how often you use Olaplex, it cannot damage your hair. It can only repair broken internal bonds, so it probably needs some moisture adding if your hair feels dry.
Is it bad to use Olaplex every day?
You can use Olaplex every day. However, washing your hair daily is not always recommended. Check out our hair care tips that you can do at home.
Are Olaplex products sulphate free?
Yes, Olaplex is sulphate and paraben-free.
Are Olaplex products gluten free?
If you are looking for a gluten-free hair care product, then Olaplex is ideal.
Is Olaplex vegan?
Olaplex is vegan and cruelty-free.
Is Olaplex nut free?
There are no nut products in Olaplex.
Are Olaplex bottles recyclable?
Not only are they completely safe to recycle, but they are also made of recycled plastic collected from the ocean.
Are Olaplex shampoo and conditioner worth it?
It really, really works. The bottles are small, but you only need a pea-sized amount of product – even if you have long hair. Not only will your hair look healthier, but it will feel fantastic too.
Are Olaplex results permanent?
If your hair is only slightly damaged, you may only need to do an Olaplex treatment every 6 weeks. If moderately damaged, every 4 weeks, and significantly damaged every 2 weeks. Olaplex gets to work on repairing your hair from the first application. Each of the products is designed to restore the broken bonds. Whilst these broken bonds are restored permanently, new damage can still occur.
Can you use Olaplex when pregnant?
Olaplex is non-toxic. However, you are advised to consult your doctor or midwife. This also is the advice for using Olaplex when breastfeeding.
Olaplex how to use at home
Which Olaplex should I use at home? The Olaplex routine for damaged hair that you can do at home is by using the bond intense moisture shampoo and conditioner, which are No.4 and No.5. The bond smoother, and bonding oil No.6 and No.7 can also be used as a home treatment.
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Book your appointment at Freestyle
Freestyle Hair Design are bespoke colour and balayage specialists. The award-winning salon in Treforest, Pontypridd, is just a 10-minute drive from Whitchurch in Cardiff. Our customers' safety has always been our priority – now more than ever. Feel safe at Freestyle with our COVID-19 procedures.
All of our services can be found here, along with the products we use. Feel free to get in touch to book your appointment.
As much as we love Olaplex, it's no longer available in the salon. However, you'll love Innoluxe just as much. Find out more.
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