Olaplex Is Breaking My Hair off (How Come, and What to Do)

If you’ve colored or permed your hair in recent years, you’ve probably heard of Olaplex. Olaplex came about to repair hair exposed to significant damage, like bleaching and lightening products. If you haven’t heard of Olaplex and regularly lighten or add harsh chemicals to your locks, you’ll be happy to know that Olaplex lives up to the positive buzz surrounding it.

As impressive as Olaplex is, some begin using it to find it’s causing hair breakage. We’ll tell you why and show you how to counteract it!

Olaplex is breaking off my hair

Olaplex adds moisture and repairs the hair from the inside out, so if it’s breaking your hair, it could be because your hair has already suffered significant damage. Olaplex is typically paired with hair undergoing major chemical changes, such as continuous bleaching. In some cases, users are not using Olaplex correctly. If you believe Olaplex contributes to your hair breakage, discontinue use and consult with your stylist immediately.

If you want to know what causes hair breakage and how to fix it, read on to find out more!

Using Olaplex Correctly

Olaplex is one of those few products that fulfill its promises, including miraculous hair repair claims, Olaplex is the product that the Kardashians credit for their ability to go from raven black to platinum blonde overnight. Some of the top hair professionals across the globe swear by Olaplex, as it allows for stunning transformations that won’t damage the hair past repair.

However, you have to use it correctly to see the actual benefits. When Olaplex seemingly adds to the breakage of hair strands, it’s often because consumers aren’t using it correctly. Olaplex is a three-step process that prevents and repairs existing hair damage on a molecular level, but it takes consistency and attention to detail.

Due to market demand, Olaplex released its three-step hair-care process to the public. Still, the instructions are semi-intense, and those that don’t have the capacity or patience to read them will likely end up with undesirable results.

If you do not follow the directions, you will not get the desired results, which is why it’s best to consult a professional stylist before using Olaplex at home. You can also purchase the product and have your stylist apply it for you.

Closely Following Olaplex Instructions

Olaplex boasts that the No3 is their best-selling product. However, most consumers have no idea that you cannot (or should not) use the No3 without the products that precede it. If your hair is incredibly damaged, No3 cannot fix it on its own.

Olaplex No1 and No2 are restorative, while No3 is moisturizing. It’s crucial to follow the steps to achieve your desired repair results. Olaplex 3 can leave your hair feeling moisturized on the surface, but it doesn’t do anything to improve the internal hair fibers, which means on the inside, your hair is still prone to breakage.

If your hair is weak before applying Olaplex No3, it will remain vulnerable until you take the appropriate steps to strengthen it. It’s imperative to consider how damaged your hair was before you applied Olalex. Several chemical processes can break the keratin bonds of the hair, including excessive use of hair dyes, bleaching, excessive sun exposure, and heat tools.

Other Factors Causing Hair Breakage

Since it’s unlikely that it’s the Olaplex alone (unless you’re misusing it) causing your hair breakage, it’s crucial to explore other reasons that your hair might suffer breakage. Here are a few common causes of hair breakage.

Poor Diet

Many nutrients that come from food can help boost the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Zinc, iron, and folic acid are crucial to preventing hair breakage. Before you blame Olaplex, take a closer look at your diet.

Dryness

Hair dryness is almost always a precursor to hair breakage. When hair is dehydrated, which can be caused by various factors extending beyond bleaching and chemicals (low humidity, dry weather, too much heat), it’s prone to breaking. Since most people use Olaplex to treat dryness, you can see that there might be some confusion regarding the source of the breakage.

Over-Processing

We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it; perms, relaxers, colorants, and professional straightening can seriously damage your strands, sometimes beyond repair. If you think your hair is overprocessed, instead of ordering Olaplex and doing the treatment on your own, you might consider speaking with your stylist to determine the best path forward.

Hormones

Hormones constantly fluctuate, which can be a significant reason your hair breaks more often than you’d like it to. If you can’t pinpoint another cause of constant hair breakage, hormones could be to blame. You can determine this by scheduling a visit with your general practitioner.

Elastic Hair Ties

Hair breakage can come from something as complicated as hormones or simple as using elastic hair ties daily. Elastic hair ties are undeniably convenient for keeping your hair out of your face, on bad hair days, or when rushing out the front door in a hurry.

However, they can also cause some pretty significant damage to your hair. Consider a scrunchie or clip if you want to put your hair up.

Undoing the Damage from Breakage

Regardless of what might be causing your hair to break, there are ways to fix it. If you genuinely suspect Olaplex is to blame, you should discontinue using it immediately and go over every step with your stylist. On the other hand, if your hair is prone to breakage, here are some at-home steps to help it heal.

Add Moisture

Adding consistent moisture to your hair can help with breakage. High-quality leave-in conditioners and splint end sealants will assist in keeping your hair healthy. While Olaplex No3 advertises the addition of moisture, you must remember that it cannot work correctly without No1 and No2. Instead of No3, have your stylist point you in the right direction.

Leave Out the Heat

We know how appealing heat tools are. They can turn frizzy hair into perfectly smooth and straightened perfection, and they can take pin-straight hair and give it big, beautiful, beachy waves. However, heat can also cause a lot of dryness and breakage. If your hair breaks consistently, try leaving the heat off it for a while.

Braid and Wash

Prone to breakage? Try putting your hair in jumbo braids and then shampooing to reduce the number of tangles that can pop up during the shampooing process. Your hair will still get clean, but you’ll avoid a long, drawn-out, painful combing process post-wash.

Sulfate-Free Shampoos

Shampoos free of sulfates can reduce the dryness and brittleness that comes with hair breakage. Always choose shampoos that don’t use harsh cleansers, preservatives, or chemicals. You can ask your stylist what they recommend, and while you’ll probably pay a little more, it’s worth it for salon-quality shampoo and hair care products.

Olaplex and Hair Breakage

Overall, it’s doubtful that Olaplex alone is causing your hair to break. In most cases, the hair was damaged long before Olaplex even came into the picture. If you suspect Olaplex as the culprit, discontinue using it and consult a professional. Most difficult hair-breakage situations will require the intervention of an expert anyway.

Whatever the cause, try not to get too frustrated. Stress can also cause weak or damaged hair! Stay calm, and head to the nearest salon for advice.