We’ve all heard about hair bonders – those miracle hair treatments popping up on TikTok and being raved about by bleached babes all over. Until recently, they were only available in a salon, but hair bonding treatments are now readily available online. And they’re getting a whole lotta love for their ability to transform hair with relative ease and without costing an arm and a leg.
Your go-to if you’re a frequent flyer with your hair colourist, hair bonders (or bond builders) are also praised for helping hair recover from overusing heat styling products.Which all sounds great. But what exactly is a hair-bonding treatment? How do you use bonding products – and what are the benefits? Keep reading for the DL on hair bonding and to discover if it’s right for your weak/ frazzled/ breakage-prone hair.
What is a hair bonding treatment?
Put your lab coat on, sister – we’re about to talk science. Hair bonding treatments, aka hair bonders, are designed to improve hair strength and integrity from the inside out by targeting the hair’s chemical bonds. Fun fact: our hair is made up of chemical bonds that are impossible to see with the naked eye but are the foundation of our tresses. And hair bonders essentially mimic our natural hair chemicals to repair any damage.
The primary benefit of using a hair bonding treatment is that it helps your hair look and feel healthier by strengthening the hair deep down.

How do bond-repairing treatments work?
Through the magic of chemistry, hair bonders were created to target the three primary types of hair bonds: disulphide, hydrogen and salt. Hair bonding treatments contain a slew of patented ingredients, so the exact secret to their hair healing prowess is widely unknown. However, almost all hair bonders worth their salt contain amino acids – the OG ingredient of hair repair.
These hallowed hair-strengthening treatments essentially work like keratin treatment, improving hair’s strength – starting with the innermost layer. Bonding products penetrate the hair shaft and start building back the integrity of the strands. And for that, those of us with faux sun-kissed locks say, ‘Thank you!’
How can you use a bond builder?
Bond builders are often offered as deep conditioning treatments at your hair salon, but they can also be used in the comfort of your home. They come in different formulas, including shampoos, conditioners, masks, and treatments. One of the most effective (and most accessible to use) is a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. Pre-shampoos can get to work in just minutes and help prepare your hair for deeper, more intensive restoration.
This brings us to *drum roll please*, our Bond Building Pre-Shampoo Treatment. This bond-building hair treatment is a saviour for dry, over-processed, and damaged hair. Formulated to repair broken disulphide, salt and hydrogen bonds – while protecting existing bonds, our Bond Building Pre-Shampoo Treatment has been clinically proven to reduce hair breakage by 85%. Yes, 85%!
Our Bond Building Treatment is designed to be used on highly damaged hair, 2-3 times a week. Before shampooing, dampen and section your hair. Apply 1 pump of the treatment at a time to each section, applying more product until your hair is fully saturated. Leave in for 10 minutes. Rinse your hair and follow up with a good quality moisturising shampoo and conditioner for even softer, silkier results.
Who should use a hair bonding treatment?
Hair bonding treatments are great for anyone who wants healthier, shinier, and more manageable hair (so basically everyone!). This type of treatment works with your hair naturally to help restore it to its natural lustre, no matter the texture or length.
However, the most dramatic results are seen if your hair is severely dry or damaged, especially as a result of colouring, chemical processing (eg. perming), and heat styling. Most people using hair bonding treatments see results almost immediately, with results becoming more noticeable the more regularly you use the treatment.

Should hair bonders ever be avoided?
Good news. Hair bonding treatments are considered safe and effective for almost everyone. However, too much of a good thing can become harmful. And overusing products containing proteins can have an adverse effect on your mane and actually cause breakage.
If you start noticing that initial healthy hair effect wearing off after using the hair bonder, take a break and stick with a simple shampoo and conditioner routine for a bit. Also, consult with your stylist or colourist to determine the best routine for your tresses.
So, let’s take a minute or two to review what we learned about bond-repairing treatments, shall we?
- Hair bonders work by mimicking the natural chemical bonds in your hair and helping it heal from the inside out. You apply the super easy formula, and it gets right to work, penetrating the bond layers of your hair to deliver some seriously smooth, healthy tresses.
- Bond builders are best for those with colour-damaged hair. However, anyone can benefit from using a hair-bonding treatment – as long as they don’t overdo it. If you use a bond builder multiple times and notice breakage or damage, stop using it for a while, and then resume gradually.
- We’ve got a new Bond Building Pre-Shampoo Treatment that helps to deliver your softest, healthiest hair yet with up to 85% less breakage. Shameless plug? Yep! Does it actually work? You bet your hair bonds it does.
Can’t stop wondering how else you can get a major glow-up? We’ve got you covered. Check out our blog for all things hair, tanning and bodycare related.
Edited by: Pip Jarvis and Iris