Hair bonds have become a buzzword in the haircare industry, taking over salons and TikTok. But what exactly are hair bonds, and why is everyone talking about bond repair? If you’ve been dodging all the bond-related chatter, it’s time to get on board. We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about hair bonds and the best products to repair them—from shampoos to hair masks and heat protectors. Whether you’re new to bond repair or just brushing up on the details, we’ve got you covered.
What Are Hair Bonds?
In short, hair bonds are what keep your hair strong, healthy, and structured. Your hair is made primarily of keratin, a protein held together by disulfide, salt, and hydrogen bonds. Disulfide bonds are the key to your hair’s strength and stability, playing a big part in determining your hair’s shape and texture. And these disulfide bonds are the ones prone to damage that may need repairing…
Are Your Hair Bonds Broken?
If your hair looks and feels dry, brittle, or frizzy, or if you’ve noticed split ends and dullness, chances are your disulfide bonds are damaged or broken. You can’t see the damage directly, but your hair’s overall appearance will suffer when your bonds are compromised.
What Breaks Hair Bonds?
Bleaching, dyeing, heat styling, too much sun, and even aggressive brushing can break hair bonds. But don’t stress—there are plenty of ways to repair them and prevent further damage.
Best Bond Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Your shampoo and conditioner should work hard to repair damage and strengthen hair. Here are two of our top picks for bond-repairing essentials:
OLAPLEX Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner: OLAPLEX is a cult favourite for a reason. Their patented Bond Building Technology® repairs broken bonds at a molecular level. Both the No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner target split ends and frizz, making hair more manageable, shinier, and healthier. The formulas are free from nasties like sulphates, parabens, and phosphates, and they’re vegan and safe for coloured hair—plus, they work on all hair types.
Best Bond Repair Hair Treatments
OLAPLEX Restoration Duo: The OLAPLEX No.0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment and No.3 Hair Perfector are the dream team for restoring damaged hair. No.0 contains the highest dose of OLAPLEX’s bond-building ingredient and works best when paired with No.3. Together, they repair damaged bonds, leaving hair softer, shinier, and healthier from root to tip.
By BEAUTY BAY Repair + Strengthen Hair Mask: The By BEAUTY BAY Repair + Strengthen Hair Mask is a nourishing mask packed with vegan keratin and coconut to rescue and repair damaged bonds while conditioning hair. It’s the perfect weekly treatment to restore strength and reverse damage.
Best Hair Bond Protection Products
Once you’ve repaired your hair bonds, it’s crucial to protect them from further damage. These protective products will safeguard your strands from heat and environmental stressors.
OLAPLEX No.9 Bond Protector: The OLAPLEX No.9 Bond Protector is the ultimate shield for your hair, protecting it from heat up to 232°C and pollution for up to 48 hours. The lightweight, leave-in formula leaves hair soft, shiny, and tangle-free—all the signs of happy, healthy hair bonds.
By BEAUTY BAY Detangle + Protect Heat Defence Mist: The By BEAUTY BAY Detangle + Protect Heat Defence Mist is lightweight and budget-friendly. This heat defence mist protects hair up to 218°C, detangles, and adds shine. It’s made with 95% naturally derived ingredients, is cruelty-free, and works to protect hair bonds for all hair types from future damage.
With the right haircare routine, you can repair broken bonds and restore your hair’s health. It’s time to say goodbye to damage and hello to healthier, shinier locks. Your hair deserves the best.
9 Hair Bond Repair Tips
To repair damaged bonds, it’s time to elevate your haircare routine with quality, bond-repairing products. But you’ll also need to change a few habits to help keep your hair strong and healthy. Here are some tried-and-true tips:
1. Shampoo gently to minimise friction, and always follow with conditioner.
2. Let your hair air-dry whenever possible, and wrap it in a towel (don’t rub) to absorb moisture. Microfibre hair towels are great for this.
3. Avoid brushing wet hair—use a wide-tooth comb on damp curls and wait until straight hair is partially dry before brushing.
4. Don’t go to bed with wet hair.
5. Sleep in a silk or satin bonnet or hair wrap to prevent breakage.
6. Limit heat styling. If you must use heat, always apply a heat protector first and keep the temperature low.
7. Use soft scrunchies or hair-friendly clips.
8. Treat your hair to a mask once a week.
9. Trim your ends every 8 weeks to prevent split ends from worsening.
Making these small changes in your haircare routine will soon become second nature. And remember, consistency is key to seeing results. We’ve got plenty of advice on repairing damaged hair in our guide, but for products designed to help repair hair bonds read on…
