Olaplex is a hair treatment series of products that helps rebuild broken hair bonds during and after chemical services. Olaplex products offer the following primary benefits to your hair; they restore elasticity and increase tensile strength, help in rejuvenating the hair and repairing broken bonds, and protect the hair follicles from further damage.
Olaplex hair treatments use a three-step technology that’s composed of three components, namely the hair perfector, bond multiplier, and bond perfector. Olaplex helps fight brittleness, dryness, and itch scalp, as well as weak and damaged hair. Though a guaranteed success in its work, most people are reluctant to buy Olaplex treatments as they associate them with having silicones. But is this really the case? Keep reading to find out if Olaplex treatments contain silicones.
What Is Silicone and What’s The Impact of Using It in Hair Care Products
Since time immemorial, silicone has been a common ingredient in most hair care products. Silicones are groups of ingredients that help add a silky texture to hair care products. This ingredient helps to minimize frizz, lock in moisture and soften the hair. Despite its outstanding benefits, this property has faced a lot of rejection in the recent past. Experts argue that silicone in hair care products may lead to dryness, dullness, hard-to-remove buildup, and weakening of the hair.
All this is, however, dependent on how well you use silicone-based products. For best results when using silicone-based hair care products, ensure to use them sparingly, like two times a week and apply only a small amount of the product.
So, Does Olaplex Have Silicones?
There is a lot of misunderstanding on whether Olaplex contains silicone or not. To get it clear, it’s vital to understand that Olaplex products are available at different levels, which range from number 0 to number 9. Out of these products, only two contain silicone, and these are Olaplex 6 and 7. The silicone contained in these two Olaplex treatments is meant to aid in minimizing frizz in your hair.
The other ranges of Olaplex products are silicon free and safe to use on all hair types. Olaplex products are free of sulfates, paraben, phthalates, and gluten. These substances are also 100% vegan friendly and cruelty-free. Each of these Olaplex product levels has unique features and strengths. The right level for you will depend on your hair type and need.
How to Choose the Right Olaplex Product for Your Needs
Olaplex products currently range from number 0 to number 9. Each of these categories has its own unique features and strengths. Before answering how to choose the right category for your needs, it’s essential to understand what each Olaplex product encompasses.
Olaplex 0
Products in Olaplex 0 serve well as primers, and they are most suitable during the restoration of damaged hair. These products help strengthen and repair damaged hair and shield against environmental, thermal, and mechanical disasters. You can use Olaplex 0 on all types of hairs as a foundation for other treatments such as Olaplex 3.
Olaplex 1
Olaplex 1 treatment products are meant for professional use at the salon. This category encompasses a bond multiplier that helps minimize the negative effects of color treatment.
Olaplex 2
Olaplex 2 category treatment is another essential product meant for professional use. This treatment is a bond perfector that works as a follow-up product to strengthen the hair after the dye is rinsed off.
Olaplex 3
This silicone-free treatment carries the day as the brand’s best seller. Olaplex 3 treatment is meant to be used once a week, either alone or in combination with Olaplex 0. For best results, ensure to apply it to your damp hair before adding any shampoo or conditioner. Olaplex 3 helps strengthen your hair and minimize frizz and dryness.
Olaplex 4
If you are in the market for the perfect shampoo to help overcome scalp irritation, frizz, and dryness, Olaplex 4 and 4P are the products to opt for. Olaplex 4 and 4P are bond maintenance shampoos that help hydrate, add shininess and strengthen the hair after every wash. These are the right treatments for you if you have been struggling with hair breakage and are after a treatment that is gentle enough to work on your hair without causing much imbalance.
Olaplex 5
Olaplex 5 serves as an all-around hair conditioner that helps moisturize your hair and add shine to it. This treatment is overly lightweight and will not cause breakage of your hair like other heavy conditioners. Olaplex 5 conditioner is endowed with useful ingredients that help nourish your hair while repairing it at the same time.
Olaplex 6
Olaplex 6 serves as a leave-in cream that’s meant to moisturize and hydrated chemically treated hair. This treatment will help eradicate frizz and strengthen and smoothen your damaged hair. Although this treatment contains silicones, they are of high quality, and their main task is to minimize and control frizz in your hair. As such, you do not have to worry when using this treatment cream, as the silicones contained in it are beneficial to your hair.
To minimize any negative effects that may arise from the silicones contained in this treatment, ensure to use the product sparingly, like once a week, and only apply a small amount of it to your hair.
Olaplex 7
This is a treatment oil that’s meant to soften, restore vibrancy and add shininess to your locks. Olaplex 7 is a lightweight, high-quality silicone-based oil that will help repair and rejuvenate damaged hair. Like Olaplex 6, these oils contain silicones that help in strengthening and rebuilding bonds previously broken by color treatments.
Olaplex 8
Olaplex 8 is a 4-in-1 treatment bond that helps moisturize, smoothen, and add shininess and volume to damaged hair.
Olaplex 9
This treatment is a favorite among many people despite it being the latest addition to the Olaplex system. Olaplex 9 is a weight-light serum that helps protect the hair from pollution and heat known to cause breakage and dryness. With this serum, you are assured of up to 48 hours of protection against external factors.
So Which Olaplex Treatment Is Right for You?
By now, it should be clear that the silicone contained in Olaplex 6 and 7 is not harmful but beneficial in that it aids get rid of frizz and dryness in your hair. When using any of these treatments, ensure to use only a small amount of them and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the latter.
As shown above, Olaplex treatments address different hair needs and problems. As such, the right treatment for you will depend on your needs, preference, and desire. Whatever product levels you decide to go for, ensure to use it as instructed by the manufacturer to gain the best results. All in all, Olaplex products are safe to use and free of harmful chemicals such as paraben, phthalates, and sulfates. You, therefore, don’t have to worry when using any of the above treatments, as they will serve their purpose without harming your hair.
