Bond-building treatments were previously only available in professional salons at an additional cost,” explains Petty. “However, with the ongoing cost of living crisis reducing disposable income, salon visits and professional treatments have become less popular in lieu of more affordable home treatment alternatives.

Brushing test. Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-in Treatment vs classic shampoo on bleached hair.The main benefit of bond-building products is that they repair broken links in the hair’s cortex, providing increased strength and resilience to damage — from heat styling and colouring — which can help to reduce split ends, breakage, dryness, tangles and frizz.” Who needs hair repair treatments?

While Olaplex uses a patented active ingredient to repair disulphide bonds inside the hair, other brands are now harnessing equally powerful molecules that penetrate further within the hair shaft to repair stressed strands, making them more resilient to damage. Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo is Redken'smost concentrated all-in-one formula for all hair types and textures. This ultra-rich and luxurious shampoo provides intense conditioning, reduced breakage and colour fade protection. When used as a system of Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Treatment vs. non-conditioning shampoo Off the bat, I noticed that this shampoo lathers quite a bit less than others, but after getting used to it, I really enjoyed how it felt on my hair. I wash my hair around three times a week (which I wish was a lower number, but with a lot of sweaty workouts, it makes it hard to go further between washes). Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Sulfate-Free Shampoo is Redken's most concentrated all-in-one formula for strength repair for all types of damaged hair. This ultra-rich and luxurious sulfate-free shampoo provides ultimate strength repair, intense conditioning and color fade protection.I got my hair colored in the middle of trying these products, which also was a huge test since my hair is usually quite dry immediately after. After my first wash post-color, I didn’t feel nearly as dry as I normally did and noticed the difference right away, since it’s something I normally dread as an after-effect of my hair appointments. When used as a system of Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner vs. non-conditioning shampoo I’m someone who has always thrown all of my efforts into my skincare, but when it comes to hair care, I could do more. I’ve been on a journey of trying to get it into great shape, and that has included a lot of Olaplex—which I think has helped my situation quite a bit, but not in a way that makes me never want to use anything else. Featuring Citric Acid, an alpha hydroxy acid within our concentrated bonding care complex that helps to protect weak bonds and helps to improve hairs strength and resiliency after a bleach or colour services. This pH-balancing shampoo is specifically formulated with an acidic pH to defend against the negative effects of hair colouring, lightening and heat styling. The result? Hair that looks and feels healthy!

Redken’s new formula is acid-based, using a mild dosage of citric acid and alpha hydroxy acid. Much as it is for faces, acid is beneficial for hair too, regulating pH so that the cuticle is optimized to become shinier and softer. You can repair the disulphide bonds by using a weekly bond repair treatment, or using a split end sealer to ensure already damaged ends are temporarily sealed, preventing them from splitting further up the hair shaft and reducing further breakage,” says Petty. Nicole Petty, hair expert at Milk + Blush, has noticed a dramatic rise in the popularity of hair bond builders in recent years. “Designed to chemically repair strands damaged by bleach, heat, and styling, they’re a step up from regular hair masks and products that only improve the hair’s surface,” she says. I can more or less tell if I like a shampoo as I’m rinsing it out in the shower. A lot of shampoos will make my hair feel immediately dry and brittle, but as I rinsed this one out, it felt sleek and soft. The experience of using it is lovely because of the aforementioned citrus scent, and I feel that it really cleans my hair without leaving it dry whatsoever, which almost never happens for me. I also appreciate that I don’t need to worry about fading my color with it, as many shampoos result in my blonde fading and turning brassy. It was a decade ago when Olaplex first put bond-building hair treatments on the map — now you’ll find a structure-fortifying, damage-repairing formulation in almost every haircare range.Featuring Citric Acid, this shampoo contains a concentrated bonding care complex that reinforces weakened bonds within your hair to improve hair strength. This pH-balancing shampoo is specifically formulated with an acidic pH to defend against the negative effects of hair coloring, styling tools, and even water. The result? Hair that looks and feels healthy!