Cysteine Versus Olaplex: Benefits and How to Use Them

People are always looking for new, effective hair maintenance methods. You may have tried everything – from products that contain only a few harmful chemicals to weekly, multistep rituals – to maintain your hair. The combined effects of these methods can be new hair growth or healthy, strong hair.

Today you will learn about treatments for straightening and repairing chemically treated or damaged hair. Hair straightening, smoothing, and repairing are the most common treatments, and the hair care industry has developed many products to help with all three. Cysteine and Olaplex are two such examples.

Here are extensive details on cysteine and Olaplex treatments for damaged and curly hair.

Cysteine or Olaplex: Which Is Better?

Anyone who has experienced hair damage can benefit from Olaplex treatments. Those who have undergone a drastic color change, such as bleaching, will see the most significant improvement from Olaplex treatment.

While it’s true that some Olaplex products do have trace amounts of protein, it’s not nearly enough to qualify as a protein supplement. Thus, it is not a treatment based on proteins. To repair the hair from the inside out, Olaplex works on a molecular level.

When chemical treatments are used on the hair, cystine reverts to cysteine, weakening the strands. Hair breaks down with repeated chemical treatments. By restoring the hair to its natural cystine state, Olaplex can completely eradicate this vulnerability.

Those who have bleached and dyed their hair frequently are the target audience of Olaplex, as it is designed to repair the damage caused by these processes.

Which hair type is suitable for Olaplex and cysteine?

Olaplex is good for damaged hair, brittle hair, hair with split ends, and bleached hair. It helps to make the hair strong, healthy, and shiny and helps repair previous damage to the hair.

If you want to get the most out of your Olaplex treatment, it’s best to do so in the care of a trained professional at a reputable salon. If you want even better results from this treatment, combine it with another hair care service.

Cysteine treatment is ideal for those with dry, frizzy hair who want to transform it completely. This treatment is a sure way to prevent damage to your hair and keep it looking healthy and shiny.

What Is Cysteine Treatment?

The synthesis of proteins requires cysteine. It is a component of the powerful antioxidant glutathione (1) and is found in beta-keratin, the primary protein in nails, skin, and hair.

Cysteine treatment is widely used to achieve sleek, straight hair. Cysteine is an amino acid that contains sulfur. This natural amino acid supports healthy hair growth, strengthens the hair, and helps the hair to withstand styling processes.

As a bonus to its other benefits, cysteine treatment also helps prevent breakage, tame frizz, and boost shine.

What Is Olaplex Treatment?

In 2013, a product branded Olaplex was released into the market. It contains the synthetic molecule bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which aids in long-term hair repair. Additionally, the product carries compounds used for long-term hair repair. (2)

According to colorists and hair experts, Olaplex is a bonder and it reforms the disulfide bonds that make up the hair. Overbleaching the hair can damage or even break these bonds.

When using Olaplex, you can bleach your hair to an extremely light shade and leave the bleach on for a highly long time without worrying about your hair breaking off and ending up in the sink instead of on your head. (3)(4)

Benefits of Using Cysteine Treatment for Hair

Cysteine hair treatment has many benefits for the hair.

1. Does not contain formaldehyde

Besides causing hair loss and allergic reactions, formaldehyde is harmful to salon employees and clients when they are exposed to it for too long.

The absence of formaldehyde in the cysteine treatment process makes it less harsh on the hair and safer for the health of the clients and the salon staff.

2. Quickly provides noticeable results

A thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of a cysteine hair treatment can be made by the client right away. It improves your health and hair’s natural shine, making you look more attractive.

3. Promotes hair growth

One study investigated the potential function of the calcium-binding protein in developing new hair by studying the corresponding gene in mice. The study’s authors concluded that L-cysteine, an essential amino acid, is needed for the hair follicles to use calcium to construct hair strands. (5)(6)(7)

Cystine has L-cysteine as one of its building blocks, so L-cysteine may promote hair growth.

Forms of Cysteine

Cysteine is available in two distinct forms:

1. L-cysteine – N-acetyl cysteine, or L-cysteine, is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine found naturally in proteins (NAC). (6)
2. D-cysteine – D-cysteine is an artificially produced amino acid that can’t be found in nature. Sulfide bonds, which strengthen hair strands, can form with its aid. (7)

How Much Does Cysteine Hair Treatment Cost, and How Well Does It Work?

Your entire head of hair or even just your bangs can benefit from a cysteine hair treatment. The choice is entirely yours. The treatment costs range from about $60 to $145, depending on the salon you visit and the length and condition of your hair.

In terms of efficacy, the treatment can last from 2 to 4 months, depending on how often you wash your hair, how well you take care of it, and what styling products you use.

Benefits of Olaplex Hair Treatment

Here are the benefits of using Olaplex hair treatment.

1. Increases the hair’s strength by repairing the bonds from the inside out

Because Olaplex works by reversing the damage done to your hair’s disulfide bonds, it is an excellent treatment for damaged hair.

If you get this treatment, the bonds of your hair will be strengthened. Moreover, the brittleness and loss of hair experienced previously will be reduced.

2. Makes your hair soft, smooth, and shiny

The hair strands will look healthy and smooth as the damaged bonds are repaired and rebuilt. For this reason, Olaplex treatment is ideal for dry, lifeless hair.

3. Protects the hair from damage due to chemicals

Olaplex not only shields the hair from the dyeing process but also makes it strong, healthy, and shiny. It also helps repair some of the damage already done to the hair.

For example, if you use Olaplex, you can safely bleach your hair to an extremely light shade for an extended period without worrying about hair breakage.

How Much Does Olaplex Cost, and How Effective Is It?

Olaplex hair treatment can cost $60 and up, depending on the salon you visit and the length and condition of your hair. The treatment’s efficacy is dependent on the state of your hair.

The effects of the treatment stay on the hair for:

• 6 weeks for mildly damaged hair
• 4 weeks for moderately damaged hair
• 2 weeks for severely damaged hair

The condition of the hair, products used, and frequency of washing all play a role.

General Queries Related to Olaplex Treatment for Hair

Final Word

Depending on your choice and suitability and as per the desired look for your hair, you can choose either Olaplex or cysteine.

Cysteine and Olaplex both are good for frizzy, dry hair as well as over-processed hair and can transform your hair into a better look. However, those who are fond of coloring their hair frequently can choose Olaplex treatment as it can be mixed with the desired color and will help in treating the damage caused by hair color/bleach.

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