The Olaplex product line originally consisted of two in-salon items (Nos. 1 and 2) and one at-home remedy (No. 3). It has since expanded to make salon-quality hair treatments accessible and available at home. Will Olaplex result in hair loss, though?

Olaplex products don’t result in hair breakage or loss. Olaplex products contain ingredients called “lilial” and “panthenol” that can lead to conditions causing hair loss.

What Exactly is Olaplex?

A hair care product called Olaplex aids in repairing damaged hair and halting further harm.

Bonds that have been damaged by chemical, thermal, and mechanical stressors are repaired as a result of the treatment.

The overall health and strength of the hair is enhanced as a result. Olaplex is a treatment that can be used alone or in combination with other hair care products. It can be used on color-treated hair and is safe for all hair types.

Olaplex is a popular choice for those who regularly use heat styling tools or have damaged hair from chemical processing.

Both in-salon and take-home versions of the procedure are offered.

Does Olaplex Cause Hair Loss?

The fact that there are so many complaints about hair loss considering that Olaplex has been around since 2015 is unexpected, according to Wong. “In reality, the formula hasn’t changed much.”

Wong thinks the pandemic may be connected to reports of hair loss caused by Olaplex and numerous other hair products over the past few years. Illness and stress, both of which have been at an all-time high, are two known causes of a sudden and temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. Researchers also found people who had persistent symptoms after COVID were four times as likely to report hair loss than those who had not been infected.

People often interpret a company’s decision to refund some customers as an admission of guilt, but Olaplex has stood behind the science and testing that goes into their formulations. The company told us that when customers aren’t satisfied with a product, they are willing to “explore a possible refund.”

There’s “no evidence that Olaplex products cause hair loss or hair breakage,” according to a spokesperson. “Because our products have undergone extensive internal and external testing, we are confident in their efficacy and safety.”

The professionals we spoke to all concurred that users’ hair loss is probably not being caused by the products by themselves, though they did have other theories as to why people might believe otherwise.

“There isn’t a form of hair loss that occurs from applying a hair product topically once unless you’re allergic to that product,” said Board-certified dermatologist with expertise in hair loss, Dr. Chesahna Kindred. There are no ingredients in Olaplex products that she considers to be markedly different from other products on the market. She counsels anyone experiencing hair loss to consult a dermatologist to determine the cause.

The Kindred practice has a hair salon on-site, and Susan Peterkin Bishop, the resident stylist, thinks that Olaplex should have remained a professional product rather than being marketed to consumers.

“Most consumers do not follow product directions,” Email message from Peterkin Bishop. Wong concurred that a lot of people are just applying Olaplex incorrectly, such as applying it after washing without rinsing it out or yanking wet hair full of No. 3 into a tight bun and sleeping in it. She doesn’t think the way they’re using it will cause hair loss, though.

Olaplex is designed to help strengthen the hair bonds, which are weakened by coloring, heat styling, and environmental factors, as explained by celebrity hairstylist Bradley Leake in an email.

“Olaplex No. 3, which is the one that a lot of people say you should be using because it’s the most potent, was never designed to be a conditioning treatment, and people were using it that way,” said Wong. “They believe that Olaplex will condition hair, making it softer and easier to manage, but its primary goal is to alter the structure of hair without coating it.”

What is Olaplex Saying?

Olaplex denies all of the above: “Olaplex products do not cause hair loss or hair breakage,” the brand wrote to Refinery29 via email. “Olaplex products are safe and effective, as millions of our customers can happily attest.”

The company points to its safety tests as proof: “To prove this, we have made available test results from unbiased, outside laboratories that go above and beyond what is expected in the sector. The efficacy and safety of our products are things in which we wholeheartedly believe.” It’s worth noting that these are Human Repeat Insult Patch Tests (HRIPT), which Olaplex explains via email is “an industry standard test which follows a strict protocol to ensure the product(s) tested do not cause skin irritation or skin sensitivity.” The brand also said it has “conducted testing on sensitive skin for several product lines to further ensure the safety of products,” with the results showing that the products have “no irritant or sensitizing potential.” These results have also been made public by the brand.

Does Olaplex Really Work?

The Olaplex hair treatment, which claims to repair damage and stop further breakage, is the subject of numerous articles on the Internet.

Is Olaplex effective, then? Yes, to answer briefly. With the aid of Olaplex, damaged bonds in the hair shaft can be repaired.

This can be used to repair damage from chemical treatments like bleaching, as well as heat damage from styling tools.

The hair can be strengthened and protected from breakage in the future with the aid of Olaplex.

Olaplex is a potent tool that can aid in restoring strength and vitality to damaged hair, even though it is not a miracle treatment for all types of damage.

Does Olaplex Make Your Hair Fall Out?

A hair treatment called Olaplex is made to help your hair look better. It is made with an active ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which is a type of protein that helps to repair damaged hair.

Following shampooing and conditionering, Olaplex is applied to the hair. After a while, it is left on before being rinsed.

That Olaplex causes unexpected hair loss is not supported by scientific research.

Actually, according to some studies, Olaplex can help strengthen and improve the condition of your hair.

But before using Olaplex, as with any hair treatment, it is best to speak with a licensed hairstylist or physician to make sure it is the right choice for you.

Use Olaplex products only as directed if you have any concerns about hair loss of any kind as a result of using the product.

What Does Too Much Olaplex Do to Your Hair?

The well-known hair repair product Olaplex aids in repairing damaged hair and halting further harm.

The method restores the hair’s disulfide bonds, which can be damaged by things like heat, chemicals, and overbrushing.

Olaplex can be very helpful for damaged hair, but it should only be applied occasionally.

Olaplex can actually start to degrade the hair’s natural protein structure if used excessively.

In the end, breakage may result from the dryness and brittleness caused by this. Always follow the directions to prevent any issues with sudden hair loss.

Can Leaving Olaplex on Too Long Damage Hair?

Many people use Olaplex as a hair treatment to help restore damaged hair. The procedure works on hair bonds that have been harmed by things like heat and chemicals.

The application of Olaplex can be done at home or in a salon, and it is typically left on the hair for about 10 minutes.

Hairdressers frequently recommend Olaplex, and if you get your hair done in a salon, you’ll frequently get Olaplex recommendations at your hairstyle appointment, particularly after using bleach.

However, some people are unsure if overusing Olaplex won’t harm their hair.

While Olaplex is typically thought to be safe for the majority of people, it is possible that leaving it on for too long could have some negative effects.

If Olaplex is not used properly, in particular, it can result in dryness, breakage, and split ends.

Because of this, it’s crucial to adhere to the directions precisely and only use Olaplex for the time period advised.

By doing this, you can ensure that your hair doesn’t experience any unnecessary stress and that it stays healthy.

It’s also recommended to use the Olaplex haircare range, including the shampoo, conditioner, bond building treatments for the best results for your damaged strands.

How to Repair Damaged Hair After Using Olaplex?

After using Olaplex, there are several ways to repair damaged hair.

Firstly, use a deep conditioner to help repair the hair’s cuticle and replace essential proteins. Second, use apple cider vinegar-based hair masks or rinses to restore an acidic balance.

Thirdly, use natural oils like coconut oil to keep your scalp moisturized. These oils aid in moisture retention for your hair.

If necessary, give your hair extra nourishment with a protein mask or leave in conditioner to replenish lost proteins.

Finally, to lock in the advantages of your treatments, use frequent hot oil treatments and protective styling methods like buns and braids to guard against further harm.

How to Choose and Use Your At-home Haircare

Everyone has a tip or theory about how to use a product to get the best results when it becomes as well-known as Olaplex did. According to Wong, these popular hacks frequently deviate from the guidelines and may have unintended consequences.

She recalled seeing TikToks and other viral advice telling people to coat their wet hair with No. 3 and then sleep with it in a tight bun, and since hair is most fragile when it’s wet, that could lead to lots of snagging and breakage. “Not necessarily hair loss from the root, but it’s probably just breaking off and potentially getting more damaged than they’re repairing with the Olaplex,” said Wong.

While other hairdressers may not have agreed with Peterkin Bishop that all Olaplex products should only be used by professionals (No. 1 and No. 2, which can only be sold to professionals), they do believe that you ought to speak with a stylist to create a personalized at-home haircare regimen.

Get a referral from a stylist you trust, advised hairstylist and educator Angel Cardona, as in some instances the hair may simply be dry and require more moisture rather than a potent reparative treatment.

“I’m no scientist, and I trust [Olaplex] and the research that goes into creating these products,” Leake emailed BuzzFeed News with the information. “Overuse, though, I believe can be a problem.”

He said that products like Olaplex are meant to repair hair over time, but they can get heavy and weigh down the hair during use, which is why he recommends rotating in a gentle shampoo like Color Wow Color Security Shampoo to cleanse the hair of any buildup and give it a fresh canvas every couple of shampoos.

What to Use Instead of Olaplex

Speaking with a dermatologist, a cosmetic chemist, and three seasoned hairstylists led me to the main conclusion that Olaplex is unlikely to result in hair loss, but that using it incorrectly can result in breakage. Despite this, it’s still a good idea to talk to your stylist before using it and to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen product.

For those who are still wary about using Olaplex and want to find other products that will similarly treat damaged hair, I asked the experts what they recommend. As with any product, I highly suggest reading the instructions and resisting viral hacks.

The most frequently mentioned product to replace Olaplex No. 3 was the K-18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask. Leake claimed that using this mask has made a similar difference in the integrity of his hair as using Olaplex has, and that it’s an excellent option for bond repair. Cardona added that he had also heard good things about the company after Wong mentioned that K18 uses an efficient bond repair peptide that is comparable to Olaplex.

This mask suggests using it after shampooing (skip the conditioner), letting it sit for four minutes, and then continuing to style your hair as usual. It claims to repair hair that has been damaged by bleach and color. No need to rinse.

Summary

Olaplex: Does it really make you lose hair? Olaplex is a safe and efficient way to restore damaged hair, but if used excessively, it can have negative effects.

Use the product only as instructed on the label to avoid any problems with hair breakage or loss.

Speak to a trained hair care stylist if you’re unsure of how much Olaplex to use or if you have any concerns about any side effects.

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