Olaplex Treatment: Is It Worth It?

What Is Olaplex?

Olaplex is a bond-building hair treatment system that repairs the disulphide bonds in hair that are broken during chemical processes like colouring, bleaching, and heat styling. It was a genuine revolution in hair science when it launched, and it remains one of the most effective hair treatments available today.

How Does Olaplex Work?

The active ingredient in Olaplex (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) works on a molecular level to find and reconnect broken hair bonds. Unlike conditioning treatments that simply coat the outside of the hair shaft, Olaplex works internally — rebuilding the structure of the hair itself.

The Olaplex System

Olaplex has a range of numbered products, each used at a different stage. No. 1 and No. 2 are professional products used in the salon during colour services. No. 3 is the at-home treatment. No. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are daily use shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, and oil respectively.

Who Needs Olaplex?

Anyone who regularly colours, bleaches, or heat-styles their hair can benefit from Olaplex. It’s particularly important for those undergoing lightening services — the bleaching process is the most damaging chemical treatment for hair, and Olaplex can significantly reduce that damage both during and after the service.

Is It Worth the Cost?

Yes — unequivocally. The cost of an Olaplex add-on during your colour service is a fraction of the cost of colour correction or treatment for severely damaged hair. Prevention is always more cost-effective than repair.

Olaplex at Iron and Ivy Hair

We incorporate Olaplex into our colour services and offer it as a standalone treatment. Book your appointment in Queenstown and ask us about adding Olaplex to your next visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hair treatments are available at Iron + Ivy?

We offer a range of in-salon treatments including bond-building services, deep conditioning masks, protein treatments for damaged or over-processed hair, and scalp treatments. We recommend the right option based on your hair’s specific needs at your appointment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

How do I repair damaged or over-processed hair?

The most effective approach combines in-salon treatments, particularly bond builders, with a consistent homecare routine. That means a repairing shampoo and conditioner, a weekly mask, and reducing heat styling where possible. Significant damage may take several treatments to fully turn around, but improvement is usually visible quickly.

How often should I get a hair treatment?

For most people, a professional treatment every six to eight weeks alongside regular homecare gets the best long-term results. If your hair is significantly damaged or you colour frequently, monthly treatments may be worth considering. Your stylist will recommend a frequency that suits your hair’s actual condition.

Can treatments help with hair breakage?

Yes. Bond-building treatments work by rebuilding broken disulfide bonds within the hair strand, which directly addresses breakage rather than just masking it. Combined with better homecare habits and reduced heat, they can make a significant and lasting difference in a relatively short time.

Is a keratin or smoothing treatment worth it?

For people who spend a lot of time managing frizz or fighting thick, coarse hair, a smoothing treatment can genuinely change their daily routine. It cuts blow-dry time significantly and keeps hair smooth for weeks or months. Whether it is right for you depends on your hair type and what you are trying to solve, which is worth discussing properly at a consultation.