How bond-building haircare works

Whether it’s a slightly-too-ambitious switch to blonde, overdoing it with the curling tong or one too many unprotected dips in the ocean or pool. But fear not! Bond-building haircare – a science-backed, ultra-reparative approach to restoring your strands to their former glory – is here to help. You’ve heard the hype, now find out how it all works with MECCA education partner Jordan Allomes breaking down all things bond-building.

“Our hair is made up of a protein called keratin. The keratin in our hair is held together by chemical bonds,” explains Allomes. The strongest bonds are disulfide bonds which “give the hair its structure, strength and stability”. Hydrogen bonds come next, and are responsible for your hair’s texture and shape, as well as its resistance to external elements. Salt bonds are also present and contribute to hair’s strength.

“When these bonds are broken, from heat styling, chemical treatments or environmental stressors, the bonds can break, resulting in damaged hair strands,” says Allomes.

“Bond-building haircare works to protect and restore the broken bonds by strengthening the links between the keratin proteins that make up your hair strands. They improve the structure of the individual hair fibres, which strengthens, repairs and restores damaged or over processed hair.”

She adds, “When all the bonds, especially the disulfide bonds, are strong, your hair is left looking healthy, shiny and smooth!”

Bond-building products treat and replenish hair in a slightly different way to traditional shampoos, conditioners and masks, which tend to focus on simply adding moisture to the hair shaft.

“While adding moisture can nourish and smooth the cuticle of the hair, it won’t rebuild the bonds of a broken strand,” Allomes explains.

“Instead, bond-building haircare repairs from the inside out, restoring the broken bonds to improve the strength of individual hair strands.”

While bond-building haircare is often targeted towards those with chemically lightened hair – and included as a post-bleach treatment in salons – this hair type isn’t the only one that can benefit.

“Bond-building haircare is suitable for all hair, no matter the type or texture,” confirms Allomes, adding, “Anyone who experiences split ends, frizz or dryness can benefit from using bond-building ingredients in their haircare routine, especially those who heat style or chemically treat their hair, to help repair and prevent further damage.”

Good news, everyone! There’s no need to throw out your beloved shampoo or conditioner. Bond-building haircare is a perfect partner for your traditional routine.

“A common misconception is believing you need to use an entire routine focused on bond-building to receive the benefits. Whilst using a collection of haircare dedicated to bond-building will help the hair, you can also mix and match products based on how you want to incorporate bond-building into your routine!” says Allomes.

Looking to try out a bond-builder? Allomes recommends starting with a treatment such as OLAPLEX’s Nº.3 Hair Perfector. “It’s an at-home treatment that reduces breakage and visibly strengthens the hair. Apply weekly to damp, towel-dried hair for a minimum of 10 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo and condition for softer, shinier and stronger hair.”

The short answer? As often as needed! “There are a variety of products that include bond-building formulas, from shampoos to leave-in treatments, and based on your method of application (and level of repair needed) you may find yourself applying a treatment daily or just once a week,” says Allomes.