These Genius Hair Treatments Save Overprocessed Hair

A few months ago, I got a round of highlights that made my hair feel like straw. Every time I touched my hair, it felt so dry and brittle that I was sure I had finally gone one step too far and that I would never repair it. I tried everything—waiting longer between washes, using traditional hair masks, and laying off heat-styling for a while. 

Nothing seemed to be working, and I was starting to wonder if my only course of action would be to chop off all my hair. When I began to lose all hope, I got my hands on a bond-building hair treatment, and my hair completely transformed. I couldn’t believe how well it worked to restore my hair to a soft and healthy state. If I haven’t convinced you yet, read on to learn all about bond-building hair treatments and why you need to add one to your haircare regimen ASAP.

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(Image credit: @freddieharrel)

What are bond-building hair treatments, and how do they work?

Hair is made up of chemical bonds. Bond-repair treatments are designed to mend broken bonds in the hair, leading to healthier hair overall. "Bond-building hair treatments focus on restoration and repair of hydrogen bonds, mending lifted cuticles, and replenishing protein,” says Amika pro educator and stylist Amanda Killen. By targeting and repairing these bonds, bond-building treatments can help strengthen hair.

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(Image credit: @cassiskovic)

What hair types and concerns are bond-building treatments best for?

Virtually everyone can use and benefit from a bond-building hair treatment. "As every single person experiences damage to some degree, strength and repair will always be important,” says stylist Jordan Alexander, director of global sales and education of K18. "For those with damaged hair, the goal is to repair. For those with healthy hair, it’s all about maintaining the integrity.”

These deep treatments, however, are especially important for anyone with hair on the more damaged side. "Bond-building hair treatments are best for anyone who gets color, balayage, highlights, or uses heat on their hair," says Amika pro educator and stylist Aoife McCarthy. "All of that causes damage that needs to be repaired."

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(Image credit: @chadkenyon)

Our favorite bond-building hair treatments:

1. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask 

2. Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment and No. 3 Hair Perfector

3. Amika The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment

4. Redken Acidic Perfecting Leave-In Treatment for Damaged Hair

5. L'Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner

6. IGK Antisocial Overnight Bond Building Dry Hair Mask

7. Bumble and Bumble Bb. Bond-Building Repair Treatment

8. Amika The Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask

9. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray

10. R+Co On a Cloud Baobab Oil Repair Masque

Gift sets featuring bond-repair products to shop this season:

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Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.