Olaplex No. 3 Review: 90 Days of Use — Was My Hair Damage Reversed?

Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

I have bleached my hair twice in two years. After the second round, the breakage was real — two-inch snapped strands every time I combed. A stylist friend suggested Olaplex No. 3. I tested it weekly for 90 days. Here is what actually happened.

—

Quick Comparison: Olaplex No. 3 vs. K18 vs. Redken

| Feature | Olaplex No. 3 | K18 Leave-In | Redken Acidic Bonding |
|—|—|—|—|
| Price (typical) | ~$30 for 100ml | ~$75 for 50ml | ~$34 for 500ml |
| Application | Leave on damp hair 10+ min | Leave on dry hair 4 min | Use as conditioner |
| Bond Technology | Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate | Patented K18 peptide | Citric acid + amino acids |
| Wash-out | Yes | No | Yes |
| Results Timeline | 4+ weeks consistent use | 1-2 uses visible | 2-3 weeks |
| Best For | Bleach/colour damage | Chemical over-processing | General strengthening |

Shop Olaplex No. 3 →

—

What Is Olaplex No. 3?

Olaplex No. 3 is a at-home bond-building hair treatment — the first consumer product in the Olaplex line (Nos. 1 and 2 are salon-only). Its active ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, works by reconnecting broken disulfide bonds in the hair cortex. These are the same bonds that break during bleaching, colouring, and heat styling.

Unlike deep conditioners (which coat the hair shaft from the outside), Olaplex claims to work at the structural level. After 90 days, I can tell you: the claim holds, but the timeline requires patience.

How I Used It (Testing Protocol)

• Hair type: Fine, shoulder-length, 2x bleached, colour-treated
• Frequency: Once per week, on damp hair before washing
• Application time: 30 minutes (longer than the 10-minute minimum)
• Used alongside: Sulfate-free shampoo, no silicone conditioner

I photographed the same section of hair under identical lighting at Week 0, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12.

Results: Week by Week

Weeks 1-4: No visible change in breakage. Hair felt slightly smoother after washing, but combing still pulled up short broken strands. I almost stopped.

Weeks 5-8: Breakage reduced noticeably. The snapped two-inch strands were still present but less frequent. Hair felt less porous — it dried faster and held blowout shape longer.

Weeks 9-12: Significant improvement. New growth showed stronger texture. Existing bleached length broke less during detangling. Two stylists (at separate appointments) commented without prompting that my hair “seemed healthier.”

The catch: Olaplex does not reverse existing damage to the hair shaft. Split ends do not heal. What it does is slow further degradation and strengthen the bonds that remain.

Pros and Cons

What works well:

• Genuine reduction in breakage over 6-8 weeks of consistent use
• Works on all colour-treated hair types, including keratin-treated
• No protein overload risk (safe for fine hair unlike some strengthening masks)
• Widely available — Olaplex.com, Sephora, Ulta, salon supply stores

What doesn’t work as marketed:

• “Hair Perfector” branding implies faster results than reality
• The 10-minute application time is too short — 30 minutes delivers better outcome
• Split ends are not reversed; trimming is still needed
• Not a replacement for a professional in-salon bonding treatment before a colour service

Who Should Buy Olaplex No. 3?

Buy it if you:

• Colour or bleach your hair and want to slow ongoing damage
• Are between salon visits and notice snapping or excessive breakage
• Have fine hair that reacts badly to heavy protein treatments

Skip it if you:

• Want visible results in one or two uses (K18 is faster)
• Have very short or naturally strong hair with minimal chemical processing
• Need a budget option for general moisture (a good hair mask costs less)

Final Verdict: Is Olaplex No. 3 Worth $30?

For colour-damaged hair — yes. It is not a miracle product, and it takes two months of consistency before results are obvious. But the science is real, the improvement in breakage is measurable, and $30 for 100ml lasts three to four months of weekly use. That is a reasonable cost-per-treatment for a product that genuinely works.

Check Current Price →

—

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Bond-Building Treatment

Understand what “bond repair” means: Disulfide bonds in hair break during chemical processes. Bond-building treatments reconnect them at the cortex level. This is structurally different from a conditioning mask, which adds surface moisture only.

Timing matters: Apply any bond treatment before shampooing on damp (not dripping wet) hair. Diluted product absorbs less effectively.

Frequency: Once a week is the minimum for damaged hair. Twice weekly during the first month accelerates results. After hair stabilises, once every two weeks is enough for maintenance.

What to avoid: Don’t combine Olaplex with heavy silicone conditioners on the same wash — silicone coating blocks bond repair penetration. Use a silicone-free conditioner or apply Olaplex on a separate day.

—

FAQ

Q: Can I use Olaplex No. 3 on uncoloured hair?
A: Yes. It benefits any hair with heat or mechanical damage. The results are less dramatic than on bleached hair because baseline bond damage is lower.

Q: How long does one bottle last?
A: Using a generous amount once per week on shoulder-length hair, 100ml lasts approximately 8-10 weeks.

Q: Is Olaplex No. 3 the same as the salon treatments?
A: No. No. 1 and No. 2 are professional-strength and pH-targeted for use with bleach. No. 3 is a milder maintenance formula for home use between appointments.

Q: Does Olaplex work on natural (unprocessed) Black hair?
A: Yes, particularly for heat-damaged or transitioning hair. It is frequently recommended by natural hair specialists for strengthening.

Q: Is it safe during pregnancy?
A: The Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate ingredient is considered safe. Consult your doctor if you have specific concerns, as with any topical product during pregnancy.