Understanding Hair Bonds: A Deep Dive into Hair Health
Hair bonding is the chemical and physical interactions that help maintain the structure and integrity of hair. These interactions, or bonds, are crucial for keeping hair strong, flexible, and resilient.
It's apparent that the hair bonding isn’t going away anytime soon. Hair bonding has a +48.6% 12-month predicted growth per Spate. Before following this trend, it's crucial to understand the various types of hair bonds. Understanding the different hair bonds will help you select the appropriate hair care products and treatments.
Today we're exploring the three primary types of hair bonds: organic acids and related actives, proteins and peptides, and lipids. Understanding these bonds can help you make informed choices about hair care products and treatments.
Organic Acids and Related Actives
Organic acids and related actives, such as malic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, calcium lactate, hydroxypropyl gluconamide, and glycine-betaine, are extensively researched for their bond-building properties. These compounds interact with the water content in hair to achieve various beneficial effects.
These organic acids modify the hair’s hydration levels by binding to water molecules within the hair shaft. This interaction enhances the hair's elasticity, manageability, and strength.
By improving the hair's moisture retention, organic acids help maintain smoothness and reduce frizz. They are particularly effective in treatments aimed at repairing and protecting hair from environmental stressors and chemical damage. For example, citric acid helps seal the hair cuticle, enhancing shine and reducing tangling.
Proteins and Peptides
Proteins and peptides are crucial for hair structure and health. These molecules vary in size, which affects their ability to penetrate the hair shaft.
Low molecular weight proteins and peptides penetrate deep into the hair shaft, affecting water absorption and enhancing tensile properties. This reinforcement from within makes hair more resilient to breakage.
High molecular weight proteins are too large to penetrate deeply but form a protective layer on the hair surface. This is particularly beneficial for hair damaged by chemical treatments, reducing premature fractures and enhancing overall strength.
Both types of proteins and peptides are vital for repairing damaged hair. Low molecular weight proteins improve hair strength from within, while high molecular weight proteins protect the hair surface, reducing further damage and improving the hair's appearance and feel.
Lipids
Lipids, including fatty acids and fatty alcohols, are essential components of the hair’s natural structure. These compounds interact hydrophobically with the lipids found in the hair's central medullary region and the cell membrane complex (CMC).
Lipids primarily interact through hydrophobic interactions. These are particularly strong with fatty alcohols that penetrate the hair shaft, increasing the hair's fatigue strength.
Lipids maintain the hair's natural moisture barrier, preventing moisture loss, reducing frizz, and improving softness and shine. Enhanced fatigue strength means the hair can better withstand daily styling and environmental stressors without becoming damaged or brittle.
The Market's Best Bond Builders
Glamour Magazine recently highlighted its picks for the "12 best bond builders to help repair your hair from the inside." These included:
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask
Pantene Pro-V Molecular Bond Repair
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex
Bumble and Bumble Bond-building Repair Treatment
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Pre-treatment
Coco & Eve Bond Building Hair Treatment
Amika The Kure Multi-task Repair Treatment
The Inkey List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment
Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Restructuring Treatment
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Bond Repair 3-Step Routine Bundle for Damaged Hair
Color WoW Dream Cocktail
Why Bond Builders are Essential
What makes products like these so popular? It all comes down to hair health. Effective bond builders target the core of hair structure, repairing and strengthening from the inside out. This results in healthier, more resilient hair that can withstand the rigors of daily styling and environmental exposure.
