Heat damage is a common issue for those who frequently use hot styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. The high heat from these tools can cause bonds within the hair shaft to break down, leading to dry, brittle, frizzy hair that lacks shine. Olaplex is a popular salon treatment that claims to repair bond breakage and undo heat damage. But does it really work?
What causes heat damage?
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which contains sulfur bonds that give hair its strength and structure. When hair is exposed to high heat from styling tools, these bonds break down, causing damage to the hair shaft. This damage builds up over time with repeated heat styling. Some signs of heat damage include:
- Dry, brittle, frizzy texture
- Lack of elasticity
- Split ends
- Dull, lifeless appearance
- Difficulty holding a curl
- Increased breakage and shedding
The level of heat damage depends on factors like hair type, how high the heat setting is, and how frequently the hair is exposed to high heat. Fine, thin, or color-treated hair tends to be more vulnerable to heat damage.
How does Olaplex work?
Olaplex was created by two California-based hairstylists in 2014 and has since taken the hair industry by storm. It works by using a patented active ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate to bond to broken sulfur hydrogen bonds within the hair shaft. This helps to reconnect and rebuild broken bonds from damage caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical processes like heat styling.
There are three steps in the Olaplex treatment process:
- No. 1 Bond Multiplier: This is mixed in with the chemical services like hair color to protect the bonds from breakage.
- No. 2 Bond Perfector: This is applied afterward to further repair broken bonds.
- No. 3 Hair Perfector: This take-home treatment maintains results and prevents further damage.
By finding and re-linking broken sulfur bonds, Olaplex claims to rebuild the hair structure from the inside out, restoring strength, texture, and appearance.
Does Olaplex repair existing heat damage?
According to the makers of Olaplex, it can help to reverse already existing damage caused by heat styling. Some key studies on Olaplex’s effect on heat-damaged hair include:
- A 2016 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that Olaplex could reconnect broken disulfide bonds in over 50% of hair samples damaged by thermal processes. It increased hair strength by 20.1% in heat damaged samples.
- An independent study by Brazil’s Federal University of São Paulo in 2018 found that Olaplex made significant improvements in hair elasticity and texture after 6 applications in women with heat damaged hair from blow drying and flat ironing. Breakage was reduced by 76%.
- A 2018 randomized, controlled study had women with self-reported heat damage use Olaplex at home for 9 weeks. Olaplex treatment demonstrated significant improvement in hair breakage, frizziness, manageability, and overall appearance compared to untreated hair.
While individual results can vary, these studies suggest that Olaplex can help measurably improve hair damaged by thermal styling when used consistently over time. The longer the heat damage has occurred, the more treatments may be needed to see significant repair.
How to use Olaplex to fix heat damage
To effectively repair heat damage, it is recommended to use the complete 3-step Olaplex treatment:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| No. 1 Bond Multiplier | Mix in with any chemical treatments like hair color. Repairs bonds during processing. |
| No. 2 Bond Perfector | Apply to towel-dried hair. Leave on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing out. |
| No. 3 Hair Perfector | Use as regular conditioner or leave-in treatment to maintain results. |
It’s best to avoid any direct heat styling for some time after the Olaplex treatment. Allow hair to air dry and style with gentler heat tools on lower settings if needed. Continued use 2-3 times per week can help restore hair’s strength, hydration, and appearance over time.
Olaplex vs protein treatments
Protein treatments are another popular option used to repair damaged hair. Protein-rich products can temporarily fill in gaps on the hair strands caused by heat damage. This helps fortify and strengthen the hair. However, protein cannot permanently reconnect broken bonds between hair strands in the same way Olaplex can. Here’s how they compare:
| Olaplex | Protein Treatments | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Reconnects broken sulfur bonds inside the hair shaft | Coats the outside of the hair to fill in gaps |
| Results | Permanently repairs damage from inside the hair | Temporarily strengthens hair until next wash |
| Best for | Chemical and heat damage | Mild heat damage |
While protein can provide a quick fix, Olaplex aims to completely restore hair integrity for longer lasting repair of damage. Using both together can help optimize results.
At-home Olaplex treatments
While Olaplex is available as a professional in-salon service, they also offer at-home maintenance products. Two of their most popular options for continuing heat damage repair at home include:
No. 3 Hair Perfector
This can be used 1-2 times per week in place of regular conditioner. It helps rebuild damaged bonds and improve hair’s appearance and manageability. For best results, apply to damp hair and leave on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
No. 7 Bonding Oil
Contain Olaplex’s bond-building technology in a lightweight formula. It can be used as a pre-styler before heat tools to help protect hair from further damage. A few drops add shine, softness, and manageability. It’s also recommended for use between washes to strengthen hair.
Consistent use of these take-home products prolongs the results of the core Olaplex salon treatments. They help maintain stronger, healthier hair in between trims when damage would normally reappear.
Olaplex limitations
While Olaplex can produce dramatic improvements in damaged hair, there are some limitations to what it can achieve:
- It cannot completely undo severe damage from years of aggressive chemical/heat treatments. There is a point of no return if the internal bonds are too degraded.
- Results are temporary without consistent maintenance. Regular touch-up treatments and use of the at-home products are needed.
- It does not add moisture or protein. Additional conditioning treatments are still needed to improve dryness, elasticity, and shine.
- It cannot alter hair’s natural texture or curl pattern if it has been chemically straightened.
- It cannot repair split ends. These need to be trimmed over time.
Olaplex is not a complete miracle cure for damaged hair. While it can strengthen and minimize damage, it works best alongside other conditioning and moisturizing treatments as part of an overall hair health regimen.
Is Olaplex worth it for heat damage?
For those dealing with excessive heat damage from repeated use of hot styling tools, Olaplex can be extremely beneficial. The ability to literally re-bond and repair internal hair structure offers more dramatic and longer lasting results than surface protein treatments alone. While results vary by individual, consistent use of the professional treatments paired with at-home maintenance can restore noticeable improvements in hair strength, texture, shine, and manageability over time.
However, Olaplex is not cheap. The professional salon services typically range from $50-100 per treatment. The at-home products cost $28-38 for a 3.3-8.5oz bottle. For severe damage, multiple treatments plus continued use of the take-home products is recommended. This adds up quickly.
For those on a tight budget, protein treatments can offer some temporary strengthening benefits at a fraction of the cost. But for most with moderate to severe heat damage, investing in Olaplex can provide transformational long-term repair not achievable with other products. Most users feel the dramatic results are well worth the price.
How to prevent heat damage
While Olaplex is great for repairing existing heat damage, prevention is also key. Here are some tips to minimize heat damage when using hot tools:
- Always apply a thermal protectant spray or cream before heat styling.
- Allow hair to air dry as much as possible before using hot tools.
- Use the lowest effective temperature setting on tools.
- Only pass heat tools through each section of hair once.
- Give hair a break from hot tools when possible.
- Get regular trims to remove split ends before they worsen.
- Use a deep conditioning hair mask once a week.
- Wear protective styles like braids to give hair a rest.
Being mindful to not overdo hot styling and incorporating repairing treatments like Olaplex when needed can keep hair healthy and minimize damage over time.
Conclusion
Olaplex has proven to be highly effective at repairing the damaging effects of heat styling when used properly and consistently. By reconnecting broken disulfide bonds within the hair shaft, it can gradually restore strength, elasticity, shine, and manageability to locks damaged by excessive heat tool use. While not a cure-all, it offers more permanent restoration of heat-compromised hair structure than surface protein treatments alone.
However, Olaplex works best as part of a larger hair health regimen that also incorporates moisture, gentle styling, and protective routines. Continued use of Olaplex treatments in salon and at home alongside smart styling practices provides the most dramatic improvements in heat-damaged hair. Investment in Olaplex is well worth it for most looking to undo the harm of overdoing hot tools and restore their hair’s health.