Curious if bond repair shampoos and treatments in India are worth the investment? Before you buy, learn how they work and which ones truly deliver results! With so many options, finding the right product can feel overwhelming. If your hair is weak or damaged, bond repair products claim to strengthen and restore it. But how do you know which ones are worth it?
That’s where this guide comes in. I’ll break down everything you need to know about bond repair products. I’ll also review top options to help you find the best fit for your hair needs.
In this Blog, we’re going to discuss:
- What Are Bond Repair Products?
- The Science Behind Hair Bonding and Repair
- Key Ingredients for Effective Bond Repair
- Top 4 Bond Repair Products In India [2024]
- Tips for Maximizing Results
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
What Are Bond Repair Products?
Bond repair products are designed to mend and strengthen the bonds in your hair. These bonds, often damaged by heat styling, chemical treatments, or environmental stress, are crucial for your hair’s health.
These products target and repair broken disulfide bonds, the strongest bonds in your hair.
“Bond repair products can be effective to some extent, but their success largely depends on the severity of the hair damage and the specific ingredients used. Some products contain ingredients like cysteine or bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which can repair broken disulfide bonds at a molecular level,” says Dr. Sravya Tipirneni, a consultant dermatologist and trichologist
Reconstructing these bonds helps restore your hair’s structure, making it stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
The Science Behind Hair Bonding and Repair
Types of Bonds
- Disulfide bonds: These strong covalent bonds form between sulfur atoms in keratin’s amino acids, giving your hair its structural integrity.
- Hydrogen bonds: Weaker than disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds control your hair’s flexibility and shape. They break and reform easily, so wet hair changes shape when styled.
- Ionic bonds: These bonds also help structure your hair, though they’re less crucial than disulfide bonds.
How Bond Damage Affects Your Hair
Your hair is made of keratin, a protein held together by these bonds, with disulfide bonds being crucial.
When these bonds break, your hair weakens and becomes prone to breakage, often caused by Chemical Treatments, Heat Damage, and Physical Stress
How Bond Repair Products Work
Active ingredients in bond repair products penetrate the hair shaft and re-link these broken bonds, repairing your hair from the inside out.
Key Ingredients for Effective Bond Repair
When choosing a bond repair shampoo and conditioner, check the ingredients to ensure they’ll benefit your hair.
Look for ingredients like:
- Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate: This ingredient, found in products like Olaplex, reconnects broken disulfide bonds, restoring your hair’s structure.
- Cysteine: An amino acid that helps repair disulfide bonds by providing the sulfur atoms needed for bond formation.
- Peptides: These mimic natural keratin, filling gaps in the hair shaft and improving elasticity.
- Moisturizing Agents: These ingredients hydrate your hair, preventing dryness and maintaining overall health.
Top 4 Bond Repair Products In India [2024]
1. WishCare Triple Bond Repair Shampoo and Booster Serum
Pricing: ₹1,035
Includes: Hair Shampoo, Booster Serum
Why It Works
The combination of hydrolyzed proteins (keratin, collagen, wheat) and ceramides in both the shampoo and serum helps repair and strengthen your hair’s bonds, especially disulfide bonds.
L-arginine, an amino acid, supports rebuilding your hair’s structure. Moisturizers like glycerin and D-panthenol keep your hair hydrated, essential for preventing further damage.
My Experience
The WishCare Triple Bond Repair Shampoo and Serum work well at strengthening the hair strands. Do note that the serum is a wash-off treatment and not a leave-in serum. When I used this combo together, I noticed stronger hair and lesser hair breakage, however, these products don’t add much smoothness or shine to the hair. I recommend this range to those who are struggling with hair breakage but don’t have much frizz.
2. Maleic Bond Repair Complex Trio from Be Minimalist
Pricing: ₹1,749
Includes: Hair Mask, Hair Shampoo, Hair Serum
Why It Works
Maleic acid effectively repairs disulfide bonds, key to your hair’s strength and integrity.
Hydrolyzed proteins (keratin and wheat) and amino acids strengthen and rebuild your hair’s structure.
Moisturizers like glycerin and panthenol keep your hair hydrated, preventing further damage and maintaining healthy hair.
3. Bond Repair Combo from Love Beauty and Planet
Pricing: ₹840
Includes: Hair Shampoo, Hair Mask
Why It Works
Hydrolyzed keratin and wheat protein strengthen and repair your hair’s disulfide bonds. Amino acids help rebuild your hair’s structure, boosting bond repair.
Moisturizers like shea butter and glycerin keep your hair hydrated, maintaining its health and preventing damage.
My Experience
Love Beauty and Planet is one of my favourite affordable haircare brands in India. Their bond repair range didn’t disappoint me either! This combo of shampoo and mask helps to reduce hair breakage and adds a nice gloss to the hair, reducing frizz. Highly recommend if you have frizzy hair prone to breakage.
4. Olaplex Nº.3 Hair Perfector
Pricing
- 30 ml: ₹1150
- 100 ml: ₹3250
- 250 ml: ₹6450
Why It Works
Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate repairs disulfide bonds, crucial for your hair’s strength and integrity.
Glycerin, panthenol, and aloe vera hydrate and nourish your hair, preventing further damage.
Conditioners like cetearyl alcohol and behentrimonium methosulfate improve texture and manageability, boosting overall hair health. The Olaplex No 3 is a globally loved product and has rave reviews on Reddit that back its claims.
Tips for maximizing results
- Stick to a routine
Use a consistent bond repair routine for the best results. L’Oréal’s Elvital Bond Repair series offers a four-step process:
- Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Start with a bond repair pre-shampoo to prep and strengthen your hair.
- Shampoo: Follow with a gentle bond repair shampoo that cleanses and reinforces your hair.
- Conditioner: Apply a bond repair conditioner to hydrate and strengthen your hair fibers.
- Leave-In Serum: Finish with a leave-in serum to lock in moisture and protect against damage.
- Avoid Overloading Products
Using too many products at once can cause buildup, making bond repair treatments less effective. Stick to a few quality products that work well together.
- Limit Heat Styling
If you still want to style your hair, apply a heat protectant like BBlunt and Kerastase to prevent damage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using bond repair treatments too often can cause protein overload, making your hair brittle and prone to breakage.
- Ignoring Product Instructions
Every bond repair product comes with specific instructions. Skipping steps or using the product incorrectly can reduce its effectiveness.
For instance, for the best results, let the Hair Mask from the Bond Repair Combo by Love Beauty and Planet sit in your hair for 2-5 minutes.
- Not Assessing Hair Type and Condition
Using the wrong bond repair product for your hair type can lead to poor results.
Fine hair might feel weighed down by heavy leave-ins, while coarse hair may benefit from serums or oils. It’s a good idea to consult a professional for recommendations.
- Neglecting Moisturizing Products
Bond repair works best when balanced with moisturizing treatments. Focusing only on bond repair without adding hydration can leave your hair dry.
Make sure to use hydrating masks or conditioners to keep your hair healthy.
- Using Products with Harsh Ingredients
Some bond repair products contain sulfates, parabens, or alcohols that can further damage your hair.
Choose products with gentle, nourishing ingredients to support repair and overall hair health.
- Expecting Immediate Results
Bond repair products can improve your hair, but they aren’t instant solutions. Be patient and consistent with your routine to see significant results over time.
Bond repair products boost hair strength, elasticity, and overall health. They reduce breakage, restore shine, and make your hair more manageable.
However, they’re not a cure-all for severely damaged hair. In some cases, you might need professional treatments or a trim to fully restore your hair. Also, you’ll need to use these products consistently to maintain the benefits, as the effects aren’t permanent.
References:
- Wiedemann, C., Kumar, A., Lang, A., & Ohlenschläger, O. (2020). Cysteines and disulfide bonds as structure-forming units: insights from different domains of life and the potential for characterization by NMR. Frontiers in chemistry, 8, 280.
- Bhattacharyya, R., Pal, D., & Chakrabarti, P. (2004). Disulfide bonds, their stereospecific environment and conservation in protein structures. Protein Engineering Design and Selection, 17(11), 795-808.
- Karimi, M., Ignasiak, M. T., Chan, B., Croft, A. K., Radom, L., Schiesser, C. H., … & Davies, M. J. (2016). Reactivity of disulfide bonds is markedly affected by structure and environment: implications for protein modification and stability. Scientific reports, 6(1), 38572.
- https://www.makingcosmetics.com/blog-15.html?lang=en_US
Mrinalini
Mrinalini is a beauty blogger with over 7 years of experience in reviewing skincare, makeup, and wellness products. Her professional experience in the biomedical space plus her keen interest in testing products spanning decades gives her the upper edge when it comes to reviewing new beauty products, particularly for oily, acne-prone, Indian skin.