Hair bond treatments have revolutionized the beauty industry, offering solutions for damaged, brittle hair by repairing and strengthening hair bonds at a molecular level. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of chemical treatments, heat damage, or everyday wear and tear, bond treatments can restore hair’s integrity and shine. With so many products available on the market, it’s hard to know which bond treatment is right for you.
In this blog, we’ll break down the science behind bond treatments, compare popular drugstore and high-end options, and recommend the best products available in Australia for achieving healthier, more resilient hair.
What Are Bond Treatments?
Hair is made up of protein bonds, which give it strength and structure. When hair is exposed to chemical processes like coloring or heat-styling tools, these bonds break, leaving hair fragile, damaged, and prone to breakage. Bond treatments are designed to rebuild these broken bonds, restoring hair health from the inside out.
Most bond treatments work by penetrating deep into the hair shaft, mending the damaged bonds at a molecular level, which helps to reduce breakage and strengthen hair over time.
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Drugstore vs. High-End Bond Treatments: What’s the Difference?
While both drugstore and high-end bond treatments are designed to repair and strengthen hair, they differ in a few key ways:
- Ingredients and Technology: High-end products often use more advanced technology or proprietary ingredients that offer deeper and longer-lasting repair. Drugstore options tend to focus on more accessible formulations but can still be effective for less severe damage.
- Price Point: Drugstore products are more budget-friendly, while high-end treatments come with a heftier price tag. The choice often depends on the extent of damage and your commitment to repairing your hair.
- Results: Both drugstore and high-end options can provide visible improvements, but high-end treatments may offer more dramatic and immediate results, especially for those with heavily damaged or chemically treated hair.
Let’s dive into some of the top drugstore and high-end bond treatments available in Australia.
Best Drugstore Bond Treatments
1. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream
For a budget-friendly option that’s easily accessible, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream is a popular choice. This leave-in treatment is designed to protect hair from breakage and split ends while strengthening and sealing damaged bonds. Infused with a blend of castor oil and vitamins B3 and B5, it helps nourish the hair and keep it healthy between trims.
- Benefits: Affordable, available in drugstores, reduces breakage, protects hair length.
- Price: Affordable
- Where to Buy: Available at Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Coles, and Woolworths.
2. Revolution Haircare Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment
The Revolution Haircare Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment is designed as a dupe for Olaplex. This pre-shampoo treatment restores hair bonds by using a triple-molecular-weight protein cascade system to penetrate the hair shaft. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and perfect for repairing damage caused by heat, chemicals, or colouring.
- Benefits: Rebuilds bonds, affordable, ideal for damaged and chemically treated hair.
- Price: Affordable
- Where to Buy: Available at Amazon and Cosmetic Capital.
Best High-End Bond Treatments
1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Regarding high-end bond treatments, Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is often hailed as the gold standard. Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology works on a molecular level to repair disulphide bonds broken by chemical treatments, heat, and environmental damage. It’s suitable for all hair types and can be used at home as a weekly treatment. Olaplex No. 3 is particularly effective for those with heavily processed or coloured hair.
- Benefits: Industry-leading bond repair, suitable for all hair types, reduces breakage, enhances hair softness and shine.
- Price: High-end
- Where to Buy: Available at Hairhouse, Adore Beauty, Shaver Shop Mecca and ULTRA Beauty.
2. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask
The K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask is another high-end option making waves in the hair care industry. K18 uses biomimetic peptides to repair hair at a deeper level than traditional treatments, delivering intense repair in just 4 minutes. It’s a leave-in treatment, making it easy to incorporate into your routine. Like Olaplex, K18 targets broken keratin chains, restoring hair’s strength, elasticity, and overall health.
- Benefits: Advanced molecular repair technology, suitable for heavily damaged or chemically treated hair, delivers fast results.
- Price: High-end
- Where to Buy: Available at Sephora, BIG W, ULTRA Beauty, Hairhouse, allbeauty, CatWalk and OzHair and Beauty and My Haircare & Beauty, and selected salons across Australia.
How to Use Bond Treatments Effectively
- Consistency is Key: For best results, use your bond treatment consistently. For heavily damaged hair, start with a weekly treatment and adjust based on the health of your hair.
- Follow Instructions: Bond treatments are formulated to be used in specific ways, so always follow the product’s instructions to maximize the benefits.
- Complement with Nourishing Products: Bond treatments are just one part of a healthy hair care routine. Pair them with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for added hydration and protection.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a fan of affordable drugstore finds like the L’Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream or prefer high-end options like Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, bond treatments are a game-changer for damaged hair. Targeting hair bonds at the molecular level, these treatments help strengthen, repair and rejuvenate your locks for a healthier, shinier look.
No matter your hair type or budget, there’s a bond treatment that can help you achieve stronger, healthier hair.