If You Want Healthy Hair.. You Need This!
Why I’ve Switched from Olaplex to K18: A Colour Specialist’s Perspective
We all want healthy, gorgeous hair, but daily styling, chemical treatments, and environmental factors like pollution can lead to hair damage. As a colour specialist, hair health is my top priority. While both Olaplex and K18 are excellent products for repairing damaged hair, I’ve decided to transition to using K18 in my services. Here’s why.
Understanding Hair Damage
Common Causes of Hair Damage
Heat Styling: Frequent use of hairdryers, straighteners, or tongs weakens your hair over time.
Chemical Treatments: Bleaching, colouring, and chemical straightening strip moisture, leaving hair brittle and harder to manage.
Environmental Factors: Sun exposure, pollution, and chlorine from pools can dry out hair.
Over-Washing: Washing your hair too often removes natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage.
How to Prevent Hair Damage
Use Heat Protection: Always apply a heat protectant spray before styling, ensuring full coverage from root to tip.
Reduce Heat Styling: Limit your use of heated tools and opt for air-drying or heat-free styles when possible.
Choose Sulphate-Free Shampoos: Sulphates strip moisture and fade colour prematurely. I recommend Redken’s Acidic Bonding shampoo and conditioner.
Avoid Over-Washing: Wash your hair 2-3 times a week and use a scalp-friendly dry shampoo in between. I love Living Proof’s dry shampoo for its gentle formula.
Regular Haircuts: Regular trims prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, keeping your ends healthy.
Deep Conditioning Treatments: Invest in quality at-home treatments like K18’s Molecular Repair Mask for weekly use.
Olaplex vs. K18: What’s the Difference?
Both Olaplex and K18 are designed to repair damaged hair at a structural level, but their approaches differ. Here’s a breakdown:
Olaplex Olaplex has been a game-changer since its launch in 2014. It works by repairing disulfide bonds within the hair’s structure, which are broken during chemical services like colouring and perming.
In-Salon: Olaplex is mixed directly into lighteners or colour and followed by a second stage treatment after rinsing.
At Home: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector strengthens hair but doesn’t provide the same softness or shine as traditional masks. Pairing it with No. 8 Intense Moisture Mask enhances gloss and manageability.
K18 K18 takes bond repair to the next level, targeting not only disulfide bonds but also the peptide chains within the hair. This deeper repair provides noticeable results after just one use.
In-Salon: K18 is applied before and after colouring for optimal repair. A leave-in mask follows shampooing, processing for just 4 minutes.
At Home: The K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask restores strength, elasticity, and softness with minimal product.
Why I Chose K18
While both products are effective, I’ve found K18 delivers more noticeable results after a single use. This makes a significant difference for clients seeking immediate improvement in hair health.
Efficiency: K18 requires less product per application, making it longer-lasting despite a higher upfront cost.
Results: Clients consistently report improved elasticity, softness, and overall hair health after using K18.
Innovation: Its peptide-based technology repairs hair on a molecular level, setting it apart from other bond repairing treatments.
Final Thoughts on Hair Health
Preventing and repairing damaged hair requires a combination of good habits and effective products. By incorporating sulphate-free shampoos, limiting heat styling, and investing in treatments like K18, you can maintain strong, healthy hair.
If you’ve looked at my services, you’ll notice I include a bond repairer in all lightening packages. This isn’t optional for me—damaged hair doesn’t retain colour well and won’t look its best. Using products like K18 allows me to achieve stunning, long-lasting results for my clients. If you’re unsure, try the 5ml trial size of K18 before committing to a larger bottle—your hair will thank you!
Note: Please ensure you buy products like K18 or Olaplex from reputable sources. Many fakes are sold on Amazon and TikTok Shop. As I don’t currently stock any retail products, I send my clients to Look Fantastic and Cult Beauty when purchasing premium hair care.
