Bond Repair vs. Protein Treatments, Which do you need?

Protein versus bond-repairing treatments, which one do you need? While they both fight damage to make your hair stronger, they work in very different ways. This video explains differences and how to determine which one is best for your unique type of damage.
Download the free How to Use Strengthening Products chart: genamarie.co/2023/11/bond-rep...
➜PRODUCT LINKS
• Curlsmith Feather-light Protein Cream
Amazon: amzn.to/3rhyTak
Curlsmith: tidd.ly/3QJgJWc
• Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel
Amazon: amzn.to/3XKgPjs
20% off from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE: bit.ly/3Q9XlkM
• Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Amazon: amzn.to/3vxNGvW
ULTA: howl.me/ckuesPOfCtm
• Olaplex No. 3: amzn.to/3efF1JG
• Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
Amazon: amzn.to/3sYEeE5
Curlsmith: tidd.ly/3aY5fil
• Living Proof Triple Bond Complex
Amazon: amzn.to/3PKYz9f
Living Proof: click.linksynergy.com/deeplin...
• Ouidad Unbreakable Bonds Mixing Drops
Amazon: bit.ly/3RcQ47t
20% off from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE: bit.ly/3RcQ47t
• Ouidad UNBREAKABLE BONDS™ Bond Building Shampoo
20% off from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE: bit.ly/4300BX1
Amazon: amzn.to/3RtnSO4
• Ouidad UNBREAKABLE BONDS™ Bond Building Conditioner
20% off from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE: bit.ly/3KtQWRD
Amazon: amzn.to/3RwUaYx
➜TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:56 Hair anatomy 101
1:47 How protein ingredients work
4:04 Products with protein
9:25 How bond builders work
11:40 Bond-building treatments
18:05 Products with bond-repairing ingredients
20:10 Which are better, protein or bond builders?
22:11 How to use them based on your hair type
23:16 Outro
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/3/608
science-yhairblog.blogspot.co...
www.ashland.com/industries/pe...
blog.livingproof.com/triple-b...
blog.livingproof.com/hair-bon...
curlsmith.com/blogs/product-g...
www.k18hair.com/blogs/consume...
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➜HAIR TYPE
• 3A-3B curls
• High porosity
• Medium to coarse texture
• Low density
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FTC DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored video. Products are gifted. Links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small percentage when you order through my links. This does not impact the price you pay and is a way to support my channel in exchange for helping you discover the product.

[@GenaMarie]

📥Download the free chart to determine how often to use protein and bond-repairing products: genamarie.co/2023/11/bond-repair-vs-protein-treatments-which-do-you-need/

[@fieryrouge]

Hi. Thanks for the video. Could not do a general comment just reply to your thread. Great information. Love all the research. Curious if you would consider reviewing Bond Bar. I would love to hear your thoughts. Sally’s Beauty usually does 50% off items in December. K18 and Olaplex are not in my budget. Happy 🇺🇸Thanksgiving a few day early

[@ceri678]

Hi, I followed the link but could not find the chart and I am soooo curious.

[@GenaMarie]

@@ceri678 click the link then scroll to the bottom of the blog post. There’s a big dark gray box that says “How to Use Strengthening Products Chart” and a place to submit your email. The PDF will then be emailed to you

[@ceri678]

@@GenaMarieAh there's the problem; for some reason I do not see the big grey box! Is it because I'm looking at it from the Netherlands or something?

[@jazzycola]

Ladies I have a cautionary tale. I used the Curlsmith Bond Salve and Olaplex 3 (I switched between each product between washes) at every single wash (about twice a week) and my 2C/3A hair is very healthy, I never heat style or use bleach. I would not recommend using it that much, it caused the ends of my hair to straighten ! I had to cut off about 3 inches due to this. Listen to Gena, do not use these products if you don’t need them. If you use them, please use sparingly.

[@alexandracummings2105]

Wow I would have never thought these products were the source of my curls turning straight 😮 thank you so much for this info!!

[@usernameisunavailable8270]

So instead of a bonding heavy duty treatment, maybe I can just use a bonding shampoo and conditioner? Less intense but still helps?

[@jazzycola]

@@usernameisunavailable8270 that’s basically what I do now! I don’t do treatments, I just use regular rinse out conditioners that have protein or bond building ingredients. I use one 2/3 times a month.

[@Jesusisnotcomingback2150]

Thanks so much for this info. I’ve been using olaplex for a while and I’ve been noticing that some of my 4c hair strands are straight and I didn’t know why.

[@jazzycola]

@@usernameisunavailable8270 yes that’s what I do now! I completely stopped using “intense treatments” like olaplex 3. I started using just the conditioner which is much more mild. I’ll still use a protein treatment 1-2 times a month, but no more bond repair products.

[@alicesings1971]

I tried the Curlsmith Bond Repair Treatment and my fine curly hair just shines. I’ve used Olaplex 9 before and the CHI repair. My hair has really responded to the Curlsmith Bond the best. Thanks for your hard work testing all these products.

[@aloevera4781]

Love how you explain the structure of the hair and the way proteins work. I needed this! Thanks

[@jasminemohandes-barg8030]

Thank you so much for breaking down all of this information! Your hair looks amazing in this video ❤

[@juliegaillard1209]

Thank you for this informative video, as always you answer so many questions and I find this very helpful

[@mariaa.pafumi1165]

Great video as always!!! Thank you very much!💜 You are a wealth of knowledge 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@nbusser]

Great video and I always appreciate the corresponding chart on your blog which breaks it down by hair type. I appreciate the work you put into both!

[@GenaMarie]

I’m so glad it’s helpful!

[@wendylpa]

The Olaplex line never did much for my fine/medium density 3A curls…so I figured bonding treatments weren’t for me. Then I found the Redken Acidic Bonding line & WOW, amazing results, plump juicy healthy curls I thought were long gone! But some of those Redken prods have cones 😢 so I’m going to look for cone-free options next. Bottom line: if Olaplex doesn’t work for u, don’t sleep on all bonding treatments. Keep trying til you find one that works! Can’t wait to checkout the chart Gena has on her site. Thanks for all you do!

[@User-qw8dn]

I’m about to try redKen, mind explaining to me what r cones ? 😮

[@LatinaBunny21]

@@User-qw8dnI think the cones is referring to silicones? (There is a curly hair method that often avoids silicones for curly hair, not just sulfates.)

[@themikeroberts]

If you're getting amazing results from a product, use it even if it has silicones. The silicones might even be part of the reason it gives you such amazing results!

[@Italianqueen1966]

Thank you Gena for this amazing tutorial. ❤️💯

[@colewithdacurls]

Very helpful and informative video! Thank you!

[@jaz1elise]

Very informative video! My hair loves Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve. I believe I need to use more bond repair products for my high-porosity hair.

[@valleyval7]

Thank you Gena, so informative like always 😊

[@GenaMarie]

So glad!

[@kimzimmerman3958]

Always learn something new when I watch your videos! Love the content and you are so gifted at explaining how things work, I truly learn every time I watch you. Thanks for sharing information and teaching us how to manage our wavy/curly hair!

[@GenaMarie]

Aw thank you so much! 🥰🥰

[@belindachappell9875]

I find the Curlsmith bond building treatment quite moisturising on my hair. It’s my favourite ❤ I’ve also done a few diy gelatine treatment and my hair feels so moisturised after (although I definitely still do a deep moisturiser after just in case). I always thought my hair didn’t like protein but as long as I’m not overdoing it I’ve found it has helped with the health and structure of my hair over time. Thanks for all the ongoing education Gena, it’s really helped me take better care of my hair and scalp.

[@hilarydowns7733]

Thank you so much for this video Gena. I was in a bad car accident Sept 22 and thought I was losing my curl pattern from the trauma of that. I had stopped doing deep conditioning and bond treatments because my hair seemed over conditioned. I had thought this was the cause and avoided bond treatments as they seemed very conditioning. I was only doing protein treatments to try and give my hair more structure from being so soft. I didn't realize that the bond treatments only have the 'conditioning' for slip. Since watching this video, I've done two bond treatments (one each of curlsmith and olaplex) and I'm starting to see my curls come back!!!

[@GenaMarie]

I'm so sorry to hear you went through that, but glad you are doing better and that the bod treatments have helped!

[@amixeblu]

I love your videos. I have to say that, at least once, right? ;) My hair is not as big on texture as real curly hair is, but I do love the tips and tricks and they seem to be quite universal for loose curls and even waves. It helps to have that rapport with someone, at least online. I am the only one with texture in my family. My dad used to have 2b waves but he wears it so short that it's no longer there. It's gotten so fine (he has a lot of hair, mind you) that at 77 when he's due for a cut, it all sort of sags straight away. I recently cut my hair back from over the booty to somewhere between arm pit and bra strap. I love that I can use mousse to bump up my waves to the most they can be. In my profile picture I was still using heavy creams and I just never realized that it was way too much even the small amount that I used. Your videos have opened my eyes to a lot of things hair. Very necessary! Keep on keepin' on.

[@CurlyEm]

thank you so much this was so thorough and informative. I use the bond repair leave in just after I have washed out my colour to repair any damage and it works like a charm. Like you I don't have damage in my hair however I do notice my curl is really "juicy" so to speak and very springy and there is lots of movement.

[@wendylpa]

Same process! Great juicy results like you. I’m using the Redken bonding line. So far I’m LOVING all those prods. They bring back my curls when protein fails to. Been years since I bought a Redken prod… but so far so good with the bonding line.

[@deborahrusses4029]

So much to learn and so many products to juggle around. I wish (maybe they do) off trial sizes to test...enough for two uses perhaps.

[@baritonoid]

Curlsmith does

[@MyLadyGodiva]

Curlsmith Bond Curl for my color treated medium porosity transitioning hair. My repurchase was the jumbo size. That is how amazing it is.

[@HonesTeaBeauTea]

I love this. I have bought gel because of your opinions. One worked well for me, the other not as much but only because of how I like and do my hair ♡ Keratherapy is an excellent brand for conditioner for my hair. My hair cannot do coconut oil, its odd.. I have a bad hair day every time

[@sbkir]

Thanks for the info. Your hair is looking really awesome.

[@GenaMarie]

Thank you!

[@deandrajohnson1973]

Yeah I am big on the Bond Repair. I love K18 and use it regularly. I don’t color or heat style my hair but my hair is fine and it can get mechanical damage pretty easily so I try and stay on top of that.

[@brendascott4781]

Does the bond repair just make your hair smooth or what does it do?

[@Sophiehauan]

If I have fine, high porosity hair, it sounds like from your chart that I need regular bonding treatments and also need to use bonding products. Does that mean I need to get some kind of bonding styler or conditioner in addition to the treatment? I have pretty fragile hair (all chemical damage grown out but still prone to breakage). I already use a lot of protein in my routine.

[@lorainemcgillivray77]

Hi Gena I have course textured curly hair with a few highlights to blend in the white strands. I have to be careful with protein but bond building products do work well for me and make my hair a little softer. The bond builder products spring up my curls, whereas protein makes it dry/brittle. I love the jessiecurl deep moisture mask for after a bond builder, but it’s an excellent mask for me any time and also works wonders as a leave in conditioner. I stick to protein only in my stylers and even then quite carefully so as not to have too much. Best wishes x

[@GenaMarie]

Sounds like a great routine!

[@mandyarostegui9198]

I’ve actually been liking the Redken acidic bonding concentrate! I switch between that one and olaplex, but like the Redken a bit more lately.

[@Willowy13]

Use the redken and then olaplex. My curls loved this combination.

[@amandasmith2736]

Do you have any suggestions for drugstore bonding treatments

[@jessg.829]

Have you tried the new Not Your Mother's bond shampoo and conditioner? If so, what do you think of them?

[@Krista_and_her_houla]

K18 dried out my hair. Whenever i get my hair highlighted, i always add Olaplex. When im at home, i use Curlsmith's Bond Curl Rehab Salve. I will say, i am trying Living Proof's tribond treatment, but i haven't gound the right way to use it on my hair yet.

[@traciestorm8335]

What is a recommendation for a good moisturizing conditioner to follow these treatments up with? Medium to low porosity/medium density 3A hair.

[@candlesandcarnage]

I enjoy the curlsmith bond curl rehab salve because it does bond building and has protein. I also use k18, but, once I'm done with my current bottle, I wont repurchase, as it doesn't align with how I style my hair. I enjoy it otherwise.

[@freespirit7450]

I use both.

[@bridgetkellett9401]

Would I still need to use a deep conditioning treatment after using Curlsmith bond salve in a soft water area thanks

[@suttondawnmariemazar4680]

Great video!! Thank you again!! But, let's say I used (Olaplex) N°.3 then shampoo with N°.4 do I need N°.5 if I'm going to use N°.8 the moisture mask.

[@GenaMarie]

No a deep conditioner replaces regular conditioner

[@FaceItGrace]

I like to use the in shower treatments after (not before) shampoo because it really doesn't make sense to put them on dirty hair, then wash them out. I use Olaplex, Bumble & bumble, and Redken ABC for in shower, and the Living Proof leave in treatment.

[@GenaMarie]

Products like Olaplex No 3 and other pre-wash treatments repair the disulfide bonds in the hair which cannot be washed out, which is why the instructions say to use them before shampoo. The benefits are still there after washing because they repair the hair at the molecular level. This is different than proteins which can be washed out. Some products like the Living Proof are designed to be used as a leave-in after washing.

[@ringtones759]

What should I use for fine permed short hair to keep the curls alive and shine?

[@janowens4406]

After seeing that Living Proof leave in bond treatment, and seeing the price, I wonder if you could use the Curlsmith Bond Salve like that as a leave in, once a week??

[@ericaobrien1563]

How do you tell which bonding treatments have no or minimal protein? Protein breaks my hair.

[@sarahwebb2875]

I notice when i used bonding treatments my hair gets softer and protein my hair springs up

[@TheLauren1113]

I have tried both Olaplex 3 and K18. Olaplex is good but the application process is time consuming. K18 is much easier to apply and I also get better results with it. You don’t apply K18 first - you actually apply it after shampooing and then you wait a few minutes and style it. So it stays in your hair!

[@redhead0112]

I have fine wavy/curly hair, not really sure about porosity, I’ve never colored my hair but definitely some heat/sun damage. The conditioners with protein in it that I’ve tried (Curlsmith multitasking and Briogeo repair deep conditioner) make my hair SUPER tangly and lots of webbing. Do I just not need protein? Or is it maybe certain ingredients or not enough moisture? So confused about my hair’s protein needs.

[@Barbie.7884]

I’m have the same hair. I need very little protein, those products you mentioned cause lots of issues with my hair there is too much protein. Once I realized my hair didn’t need much protein there was less frustration. Of course it doesn’t like too many moisturizers either. I know I’ve overdone the protein when my hair feels very stiff when I scrunch, I can actually get my hair straight by using a protein leave in no hairdryer no hair straightener.

[@Rosannasfriend]

I used to be an expert on this topic years ago so I need a review now.

[@julizakarmolinski9422]

What about a curly perm??

[@sinaroja]

I've been transitioning for about 4 months. I still cannot get it right lol. I have wavy high porosity fine hair that needs sooo much protein and gets easily over moisturized. Even if I use a spray leave in conditioner and wash it out. My curls might not get a cast even though I use strong hold gels and sometimes even hair spray. My hair just gets soft again. The Bond Salve actually felt like it overmoisturzed my hair. Any tips would be super appreciated ❤❤❤❤

[@User-qw8dn]

This might not be be your case but while I was transitioning, washing my hair every 2-3 days ruined it for sure..it was overly moisturized😅 but if you only need protein maybe try the aphogee treatment from their curlific line (it’s a new product not the one mentioned in the video)

[@Jesusisnotcomingback2150]

You could try henna mixed with lemon and water. It can be drying but very strengthening. You would have to follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner.

[@aquafina6544]

Gena the apogee 2min reconstructor is much better than the stunky messy 2 step

[@SulemanKindle]

I didn’t realize how much the sun was damaging my hair until I started using band builders. The sun can cause my hair to be just as damaged as bleach. I now use bond builders weekly And my hair has grown a lot longer without breaking. I have medium brown hair that gets really lighten from the sun. The ends turn blonde and get super tangled. Bb curl leave in bond repair cream has completely transformed my hair and I would recommend it to anyone with really curly dry hair. 😊

[@haneen9467]

Proteins being humectants is mind blowing to me, and eye opening. The more protein I use, the softer and over-moisturized my hair becomes until I suddenly have protein overload 🤯☹️ then more moisturizing DCs and more over moisturized hair in an endless cycle How should I address this?

[@GenaMarie]

Do you clarify to fix it? You can’t fix protein overload by adding more moisture. You have to clarify to remove the buildup first, then do a protein free routine

[@haneen9467]

@@GenaMarie I didn’t, but now I will. Thank you 🩵

[@kenziphillips525]

my boyfriend is severely allergic to mushrooms and in curlsmiths protein products i think every one of them has shiitake mushrooms :(

[@nightskylights4501]

After 8 years, I'm still pissed about spending over $30 for Olaplex, which did NOTHING for my hair. What a waste my of my hard earned money.

[@dkb2375]

I've read that you should shampoo before using the bond treatments because they won't work as well if you have product or buildup in your hair. Can you comment on this?

[@nalanz07]

Abbey yung, another youtuber who is going to school for trichology and swears by bond repair products, reached out to K18 and other brands, and they recommended clarifying hair first, then applying the treatment. Hope this helps.

[@dkb2375]

thank you!@@nalanz07

[@lisaw6332]

So do you put the bond on and then shampoo with the bond still on your hair or do you rinse the bond ? Or is the bond the shampoo when you use this? Lol sorry..

[@GenaMarie]

Which bond product? I mentioned several so it depends on which one you’re referring to

[@theodore9668]

How do you know if your virgin hair needs protein? I’m struggling with figuring out whether it’s moisture or protein my hair needs. I’ve watched videos on the topic, but I’m still confused 😅

[@GenaMarie]

I discussed that in the video. Do you do things to damage it like bleach, dye, straighten, use heat tools? If so, then yes it can benefit from protein.

[@YurinanAcquiline]

Unless you NEED protein, don't use Aphogee protein treatment.

[@aquafina6544]

Omg the brogio is 124 plus for one product i don't think so

[@GenaMarie]

It’s $34 on Amazon. Where are you looking at it? It lasts forever because you only need a little

[@Saturnixdumont]

Hi can these products with keratin amino acids permantly loosen curls???? The hair stylist put it on my hair without permission

[@cirrusm.2829]

Hmm maybe I can do without products like that, I don't really want additional steps in my routine or pay more for patented substances. I hope a cheap protein mask will be enough for me :D

[@User-qw8dn]

The curlific treatment from aphogee is gold

[@GenaMarie]

If you don't have damaged hair, they're not needed. If you just have regular wear and tear, a mask with some protein in it is fine.

[@stealthis]

Redken cat!

[@Saturnixdumont]

who is to say what amino acids do to the hair?!?

[@tammyrocke6540]

😂😂❤

[@Saturnixdumont]

this is psuedoscience