Olaplex has become an extremely popular hair care brand that is known for repairing damaged hair and preventing further damage. With its ability to strengthen hair, some people wonder if Olaplex can also help speed up hair growth. Here is a detailed look at whether Olaplex speeds up hair growth.
How Olaplex Works
To understand if Olaplex can speed up hair growth, it is important to first understand how Olaplex works. Olaplex is an additive that is added to hair dye and bleaching treatments. It works by reconnecting broken disulfide bonds in the hair that get damaged during chemical processing.
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which contains sulfur bonds. These bonds give hair its strength and structure. When hair is colored or bleached, the chemical process breaks many of these sulfur bonds, leaving hair damaged, dry, and prone to breakage.
Olaplex contains an active ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. This active ingredient seeks out and finds broken sulfur bonds and relinks them back together. By repairing these bonds, Olaplex restores the hair’s integrity, making it stronger, shinier, and less prone to breakage.
Can Olaplex Speed Up Hair Growth?
With its bonding building abilities, some wonder if consistent use of Olaplex could also speed up the hair growth process. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Olaplex increases the hair growth rate.
Hair growth occurs at the follicles, which are underneath the scalp. Olaplex works by repairing the bonds within the hair strand itself. It does not have any effect on the hair follicle or growth rate. No ingredients in Olaplex have been shown to speed up the cell reproduction rate of hair follicles.
Additionally, damaged hair may break more easily, giving the appearance of slow growth. By repairing damage, Olaplex helps hair stay intact as it grows out. But it does not make the hair itself grow any faster.
Why Hair Growth Slows With Damage
There are a few reasons why excessive damage can seem to slow down hair growth:
- Breakage – with significant damage, hair is more prone to breakage. This can counteract any growth by causing hair to break off.
- Not retaining length – damaged hair has a harder time retaining length as it grows since the ends may split and break off easier. This means hair does not keep the length as it grows out.
- Growth cycles – severe damage may impact the hair follicle and disrupt the normal hair growth cycles.
By repairing damage, Olaplex helps hair stay intact and retain length as it grows. But it does not increase the actual hair growth rate itself.
Can Using Olaplex Lead to Faster Hair Growth?
While Olaplex itself does not speed up hair growth, using Olaplex treatments can help create the optimal conditions for your hair to reach its maximum growth potential.
Here are some of the ways Olaplex use can indirectly promote faster hair growth:
Minimizes Breakage
Breakage is often the number one reason hair does not appear to be growing. Each broken strand can counteract weeks or months of growth. By repairing the bonds in your hair, Olaplex strengthens strands and prevents breakage. This allows your natural hair growth to be fully realized.
Longer Anagen Phase
The growing phase of hair is called the anagen phase. Severely damaged hair may have a shortened anagen phase. By reducing damage and keeping hair healthy, Olaplex helps support the ideal anagen phase length for maximum growth.
Provides Missing Protein
Hair is almost entirely made up of a protein called keratin. When keratin is lost due to damage, it can leave hair deficient in this essential structural protein. The active ingredient in Olaplex helps restore keratin bonds. This protein repair can optimize conditions for hair growth.
Scalp Health
A healthy scalp is vital for optimal hair growth. Damage to the hair fibers can sometimes indicate wider issues with scalp health. By restoring hair, Olaplex may help identify and address scalp problems early on before they impact growth.
Reduces Shedding
Excessive shedding can also counteract hair growth. People with damaged hair often deal with increased shedding. By restoring hair integrity, Olaplex may help normalize the hair cycle and reduce excessive shedding.
The Impact of Olaplex on Hair Growth
While Olaplex does not directly increase hair growth speed, using the treatments consistently can create the ideal conditions on your scalp and hair to maximize your growth potential.
Here is a table summarizing the impact Olaplex can have on factors related to achieving faster hair growth:
| Factor | Impact of Olaplex |
|---|---|
| Hair breakage | Reduces breakage by repairing damaged bonds |
| Retaining length | Hair stays intact and keeps length as it grows out |
| Anagen phase length | Supports a healthy anagen phase |
| Protein levels | Restores missing keratin protein bonds |
| Scalp health | Improves scalp health by restoring hair integrity |
| Shedding | May reduce excessive shedding |
Tips for Using Olaplex to Maximize Growth
To take full advantage of Olaplex for faster growth, here are some tips:
Use the Full System
Using the complete Olaplex system (No. 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) provides the most repair and protection benefits for your hair.
Consistency is Key
Be consistent with your Olaplex treatments to keep hair in optimal condition. Damaged bonds can re-break over time.
Address Damage Early
At the first sign of damage like breakage, dryness, or frizz, start Olaplex treatments. This can help prevent worsening damage.
Protect Hair
Pair Olaplex with other damage-blocking practices like limiting heat styling, using protective styles, and getting trims regularly.
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Optimize Scalp Health
Consider scalp massages and exfoliation to remove buildup and optimize the health of your follicles.
Be Patient
It can take time to undo significant damage. Stick with the Olaplex system for at least 3-6 months to see full results.
Other Ways to Boost Hair Growth
While Olaplex creates ideal conditions for maximum hair growth, there are other steps you can pair with it to boost growth even more:
- Eat a balanced, protein-rich diet
- Take hair growth supplements like biotin, zinc, and vitamin D
- Massage your scalp regularly
- Use hair thickening products
- Try hair growth treatments like LED light therapy
- Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, etc.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
Conclusion
Olaplex on its own does not inherently speed up the rate of hair growth. However, by repairing damage, it can create the optimal conditions for your hair to grow thicker and faster. Using Olaplex consistently, along with other growth-boosting steps, can help support your hair’s natural growth rate and assist you in reaching your hair goals quicker.