Olaplex 3 is one of the most popular restorative hair treatments on the market, so I wanted to test it out myself to answer the question ‘can you leave Olaplex 3 on overnight? Read on to find out what happened.
What Is Olaplex 3?
Olaplex is a line of hair products that are designed to restore hair from the inside out. It uses a patented system that is able to repair broken bonds within hair strands, strengthening and protecting hair.
While there were originally seven different products in the Olaplex line, the line has expanded, and there are now 10 products in total.
Some products are specifically designed to be used by stylists, while others are made for home use.
Although the benefits of Olaplex can vary based on the product that you use, virtually every product in the line can restore and enhance your hair.
Olaplex products are frequently used by stylists and are often recommended for at-home use.
Can you leave Olaplex 3 on Overnight?
While sleeping in Olaxplex 3 won’t damage your hair, the product was not designed to be a deep conditioning treatment or to be left on overnight.
Olaplex recommends that you leave on Olaplex 3 for anywhere between 10 to 90 minutes. Once 90 minutes have passed, according to their website, the product should be washed out.
This product is often mistaken for a conditioner, but it’s actually a protective hair treatment.
The product is intended for weekly use, but Olaplex has said that it can be used up to three times a week.
What Happens if You Leave Olaplex 3 On Overnight?
So, I tested Olaplex 3 on my own hair and left it in overnight. I was suffering from quite dry hair so figured I’d give it a shot.
Although Olaplex’s official line is that you should not leave it in overnight, I found plenty of evidence online that it didn’t actually matter. Some users even said they found the product worked better!
It’s important to note that the bottle says that the longer you leave it, the more effective it will be, so it’s easy to understand why many WOULD leave it in overnight.
So what happened to my hair after leaving in Olaplex 3 overnight?
Well, nothing.
My hair felt dry in the morning as the product had absorbed into my hair but it does that after 1-2 hours of use anyways.
And the result? It was quite good! I wouldn’t say my hair is super smooth and I’ll need to use it 2-3 times a week as stated on the bottle, but I’m happy to report that nothing bad happened to my hair.
So if you also want to use Olaplex 3 overnight, you can, but read on for my tips on how to incorporate it into your haircare routine.
How to Use Olaplex 3 (The EASY Way)
Using Olaplex 3 is very easy, here’s what you do:
Step 1. Start out by wetting your hair. It should be damp.
Step 2. Apply a generous amount of Olaplex 3 to all sections of your hair.
Step 3. Run a comb through your hair to make sure the product is evenly distributed.
Step 4. Leave in for at least 10 minutes, the longer the better.
Step 5. Rinse and follow up with shampoo and conditioner.
Olaplex recommends that you use Olaplex 4 and Olaplex after using Olaplex 3. However, the products are very expensive so feel free to use your usual products instead.
Pro tip: Apply Olaplex 3 in the morning and tie your hair up in a bun. Go about your day and wash out in the evening when you return to work.
Not only will this allow to product to stay in for much longer, but it can give you a really nice ‘wet look’ that is suitable for work or even a social event.
Benefits Of Using Olaplex
If you’re still unsure of whether to splash out on a bottle of Olaplex, here’s a summary of the benefits it could provide:
Olaplex Can Repair Hair That’s Badly Damaged
Hair that is badly damaged can be difficult to style. Olaplex is able to repair damaged disulfide bonds within hair strands, making it possible for hair to recover from significant damage.
It’s very common for stylists to use Olaplex on clients that use harsh hair treatments, like bleach. Olaplex can help to correct some of the damage that these products cause, bringing hair back to health.
Olaplex Protects Color-Treated Hair
Artificial hair color becomes less vibrant over time, even when a permanent dye is used. Many hair products actually strip dye from the hair, causing color to fade very quickly.
Olaplex products can protect hair from the damage that color products cause and prevent color loss at the same time.
Since these products were specifically formulated for color-treated hair, they are able to deliver great results without causing the color to fade.
Olaplex Strengthens Hair and Provides Protection from Future Damage
When the bonds in your hair are boosted, your hair will be less likely to break. You’ll experience less hair fall, and split ends may not be as pronounced.
Using Olaplex products can immediately improve the appearance of your hair, but it can also help you to avoid damage going forward.
It can protect against many damaging factors, including heat styling and sun exposure.
Your hair can be damaged very easily, which is why protective products like Olaplex can be so beneficial.
Olaplex Can Reduce Frizz
Frizz can be difficult to deal with. While some hair types are naturally prone to frizz, Olaplex can be a very effective frizz treatment.
Many Olaplex products are specifically designed to infuse hair with moisture, which can help hair to fight frizz.
There are four factors that lead to frizz:
- the condition of the hair
- the diameter of the hair strand
- the level of curl
- environmental conditions.
While Olaplex can’t change the weather, it can influence every other factor. It can even improve the curl pattern of naturally curly hair.
Olaplex Smooths Hair and Adds Shine
While Olaplex works to restore bonds on the inside of hair strands, it changes the way that hair looks on the outside as well.
Healthy hair strands will naturally reflect more light, giving hair a beautiful shine. It can also smooth out hair strands, minimizing frizz and flyaways.
Many people see a difference in their hair immediately after using Olaplex, but you can expect to see more dramatic results after two weeks.
If you keep using Olaplex products, the condition of your hair should continue to improve.
Olaplex is Free of Harmful Ingredients
Not all Olaplex products use the same ingredients, but you can be confident that any product in the line is free of ingredients that can cause your hair harm.
Ingredients that are known to be damaging, like silicones and parabens, are not found in any Olaplex products.
If you have curly or wavy hair, using products that contain damaging ingredients can make your hair much more difficult to style.
Olaplex products can safely be used on any hair type, which is one of the reasons these products are popular across the world.
There Are Plenty of Products to Choose From
Another major benefit of Olaplex is that you can choose products that are tailored to your hair’s needs.
While Olaplex recommends using multiple products in their line for best results, you don’t have to use all ten products to transform your hair. Instead, you can choose the products that address your hair’s needs.
If you have color-treated hair, it’s likely that your stylist will recommend using Olaplex 1 and 2 while you’re in the salon.
You can swap out your standard shampoo and condition for Olaplex products or try using the styling products in the line.
No matter which products you wind up using, you can expect to see a real difference in your hair.
So, Can you leave In Olaplex 3 On overnight?
Although the official line from Olaplex is no, I found that there were no issues with leaving Olaplex 3 in my hair overnight. The product dried as per usual and I was able to wash it out without any problems.
My hair felt soft and manageable afterward I will continue to follow this routine once a week.
Frequently asked questions
Olaplex 3 should be left on your hair for 10 to 90 minutes. Once 90 minutes have passed, the product should be washed out.
Olaplex 0 loses efficiency after 45 minutes, which means it’s not necessary to leave it on overnight. Olaplex recommends leaving it on for 10 minutes.
Olaplex 1 is specifically designed for salon use and is not intended to be left on overnight. It should be left on hair for about 10 minutes.
Leaving Olaplex 2 on for longer increases its effectiveness. According to Olaplex, the product should be left on for at least 10-20 minutes and although not necessary, it is possible to leave it in overnight.
Olaplex 4 is a shampoo that’s designed to cleanse hair without stripping color or causing damage. Even though it’s a restorative shampoo, it’s best not to leave the product in your hair for more than 10 minutes.
Olaplex 5 should not be left on overnight as it is a bond-maintenance conditioner and not a leave-in treatment.
Olaplex 6 is a leave-in treatment that does not need to be washed out of your hair. Not only can you sleep in the product, but it’s best to leave it on your hair until it is washed.
Olaplex 7 can be left in hair overnight as it is a styling oil that can be applied to wet or dry hair.
Olaplex 8 is a hair mask that’s designed to infuse hair with moisture and can be left on overnight.
You can leave Olaplex 9 on overnight as it is a lightweight styling serum that’s designed to be left in your hair until its next wash.
References
Olaplex – Frequently Asked Questions
https://olaplex.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions
Breaking Down The Fundamentals Of Hair Bonds
https://themestizamuse.com/breaking-down-the-fundamentals-of-hair-bonds/
5 Home Remedies for Frizzy Hair, Plus Tips for Prevention
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/frizzy-hair-home-remedies
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