Olaplex is a professional bond-building treatment that works at the molecular level to repair and protect your hair's internal structure. Especially important during any lightening service such as highlights, balayage, or full head foils, it rebuilds the disulfide bonds that bleach and colour break down, leaving your hair feeling stronger, smoother, and healthier with noticeably less breakage.
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What happens during the treatment
Olaplex is applied either mixed into your colour or bleach, or as a stand-alone treatment on clean, damp hair:
- Olaplex No.1 (Bond Multiplier) is worked through your hair and left to saturate for several minutes
- Olaplex No.2 (Bond Perfector) is then applied at the basin, left to process, and rinsed before shampooing
- The treatment typically adds around 15 minutes to your appointment and fits neatly into most colour services
- Hair feels immediately stronger, softer, and shinier, with improved manageability and reduced frizz
Who it's for
Olaplex suits all hair types, from fine and straight to thick, curly, coily, or textured, and works on coloured, relaxed, keratin-treated hair, and even human-hair extensions:
- Essential for lightening services – if you're having babylights, face framing, full head foils, balayage, or colour correction, Olaplex protects bonds as they're being stressed
- Ideal for already damaged hair – over-processed, brittle, or breaking hair benefits from deep structural repair
- Preventative care – even relatively healthy hair gains resilience and maintains condition through regular colour appointments
Maintaining results at home
While the in-salon treatment is more concentrated and works faster than retail products, keeping hair strong between visits helps extend results:
- Use sulfate-free or gentle shampoos and limit heat styling where possible
- Incorporate at-home Olaplex products like No.3 pre-shampoo treatment, No.4 and No.5 shampoo and conditioner, or leave-in bonds to maintain strength
- Repeat in-salon treatments periodically, especially if you lighten or colour regularly, as new damage from styling or future services can break bonds again
- Ask your stylist for a tailored aftercare plan based on your hair's condition and colouring schedule
Realistic expectations
Olaplex significantly improves hair strength and feel, but it's a supportive treatment, not a miracle cure:
- It helps reduce and repair damage during lightening, but any powerful chemical process will still stress hair to some degree
- Extremely over-processed or broken hair may still need trimming and gradual corrective work over multiple visits
- Olaplex focuses on bond health rather than cosmetic fixes, so it won't tone brassiness or add colour on its own – it's often paired with toners, glosses, or hydrating masks for complete results
- Results aren't permanent: maintaining bond strength requires gentle handling, regular treatments, and proper home care to protect your investment in both colour and hair health
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I trust Sam with my life and is the only person I will go to for colour - she’s Michelangelo with colour and scissors!! Always sees the vision and executes to perfection!!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Olaplex cost at Paris Russell?
The Olaplex bond-building treatment is £30 and takes around 15 minutes. It's typically added to a lightening or colouring service but can also be booked as a stand-alone treatment.
Why do I need Olaplex with highlights or balayage?
Lightening services like highlights, balayage, and full head foils break disulfide bonds inside the hair shaft. Olaplex rebuilds these bonds during and after processing, significantly reducing breakage and helping your hair stay stronger and healthier through the colour service.
Can I have Olaplex if my hair isn't damaged?
Yes. Olaplex works as both a preventative and reparative treatment. Even healthy hair benefits from bond protection during colour services, and regular use helps maintain resilience and condition as you continue lightening or colouring over time.
How long do Olaplex results last?
You'll notice immediate improvements in strength, smoothness, and shine. Results typically last several weeks or up to around 15 washes, depending on your hair condition and routine. New damage from heat styling or future colour services means most clients repeat the treatment periodically.
Is Olaplex suitable for all hair types?
Yes. Olaplex works on fine, thick, curly, coily, natural, coloured, relaxed, and keratin-treated hair, as well as human-hair extensions. It repairs bonds without changing your natural curl pattern or texture.
What's the difference between salon Olaplex and the products I buy at home?
In-salon Olaplex treatments use more concentrated professional formulas (No.1 and No.2) that deliver deeper, faster repair in one session. At-home products like No.3, No.4, and No.5 help maintain bond strength between salon visits but work more gradually.
Will Olaplex fix very damaged or over-processed hair completely?
Olaplex significantly improves hair strength and feel, but it's not a miracle cure. Extremely damaged or broken hair may still need trimming and gradual corrective colour work over multiple appointments, alongside regular bond treatments and careful aftercare.
Does Olaplex stop all damage from bleaching?
No. Olaplex helps reduce and repair damage during lightening, but any powerful chemical process will still stress hair to some degree. It allows stylists to lighten more safely with less breakage, but careful handling and proper aftercare remain essential.
How should I care for my hair after an Olaplex treatment?
Use sulfate-free or gentle shampoos, limit heat styling, and incorporate at-home Olaplex products or bond-building masks between visits. Your stylist will recommend a tailored aftercare plan based on your hair's condition and colouring schedule.
