It’s a little scary to see what bleaching has done to my hair recently. I take such good care of my mind, my body, my hair, my nails - EVERYTHING! So for a recent round of bleaching to have done what it has done, I really do feel a little heartbroken. I’m now on a mission (I call it Project Hair Repair!) and as I’ve gone on this journey to restore my hair to how beautiful, thick, and healthy it was before, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can get there. Bonding treatments are one big part of that.

Hair bonding treatments are designed to strengthen hair from within by targeting its chemical bonds. These treatments use amino acids, proteins, and natural ingredients to repair damage caused by heat, chemicals or the environment. By forming a protective layer around the hair shaft, bonding treatments prevent any further damage, such as breakage or split ends. They can also improve the overall appearance of hair and are especially beneficial for those who have undergone chemical treatments like bleaching or coloring. Right now, I’m using our hair (silk) serum as my bonding treatment -  it’s truly exquisite and entirely silicone-free.  I’m going to share with you how it’s helping, as well as how and why it does this with *no* silicones whatsoever, so that you can achieve strong, smooth, soft, and shiny hair with natural ingredients that won't cause damage in the long run. 

Right now, I’m saturating my hair in hair (silk) twice a week as an at-home bonding treatment. The silk peptides and hyaluronic acid in the formulation are magic ingredients. Let me tell you why.

Silk Peptides

There are many benefits silk peptides can bring, including restoring protein and moisture to damaged hair, preventing dryness and giving it the TLC it needs to bounce back. Derived from silk fibers, silk peptides contain a unique combination of amino acids and proteins that can effectively rebuild and strengthen hair from within. No two heads of hair are exactly the same, but if you've had your tresses colored or chemically treated, you may need more protein than others to keep them healthy. This is because your locks are mostly composed of a protein called keratin, which not only adds strength but also protects from harm. Unfortunately, if your hair has been damaged or is lacking in keratin, it can lead to a less than ideal hair situation. The good news is that there is a solution! By using hair care products that contain silk peptides, you can replenish your hair's keratin levels and revive your precious tresses to optimal health. 

How Silk Peptides Get to Work

Thanks to their low molecular weight, they are able to penetrate the hair shaft and bind to the natural keratin protein in hair.  Silk peptides are packed with an essential amino acid called Cysteine, that boosts keratin production to help strengthen your hair from the inside out.  On top of that they can also help to hydrate hair from within, without leaving a heavy or greasy residue. This results in improved elasticity, which can prevent hair breakage and split ends, so it’s particularly beneficial for those with dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair.  Additionally, silk peptides can help to smooth the hair cuticle, forming a natural barrier to protect hair from further damage, leaving it looking and feeling silky, shiny, and oh-so-soft.

Then there’s the collagen boost! Another benefit of silk peptides is their ability to stimulate the production of collagen, which is crucial for maintaining healthy hair follicles. As we age, collagen production decreases, which can lead to thinning hair and hair loss. By incorporating silk peptides into your hair care routine, you can help to promote collagen production and maintain a healthy hair environment.

Multiple clinical studies also indicate that silk peptides possess potent antioxidant properties too, with remarkable anti-aging and anti-wrinkling capabilities. When integrated into hair care products, they help incorporate a sheen and thickness to hair, whilst also improving texture and manageability. The studies don’t end there. A 2018 study looked at the protective effect of various conditioning agents, including hydrolyzed silk, on hair treated with oxidative hair dye. The results showed that incorporating conditioner agents into the dye emulsion decreased the damage caused by the coloring process, as evidenced by reduced protein loss and improved hair strength and combing analysis.

Overall, the power of silk peptides in hair care cannot be overstated. Whether you're looking to promote healthy hair growth, prevent breakage and split ends, or simply maintain soft and manageable hair, incorporating silk peptides into your hair care routine can make a significant difference. 

Hyaluronic Acid (For Hair)

Next up, hyaluronic acid. One of the things I love about this ingredient is that it is a humectant that holds up to 1000 times its weight in water. How crazy is that?! Research shows that 1 gram of hyaluronic acid can bind up to 6 liters of water meaning that it could be considered as the ultimate hydrator. We all know it can hydrate your skin, but did you know it can do the same for your hair?  So how and why is this such an important part of my bonding treatment?

First up, these humectant properties enable it to absorb and lock moisture into the hair shaft, filling in the cracks and gaps of damaged or worn hair (in my case, from bleaching) in a restorative way. This plumping effect can make hair look thicker, softer, and smoother, and while adding volume to your mane it can also help with external stressors such as pollution, sun damage, heat drying, and styling, amongst others. 

The hyaluronic acid in Agent Nateur’s hair (silk) also acts as a protective barrier to the outside world by sealing the cuticle of the hair and keeping external pollutants, stressors and chemicals out. This can help to strengthen the hair in its ultimate time of weakness, increasing the resistance of the hair follicle to outside forces, and resulting in an improvement in the general appearance and condition of the hair.

Overall, the inclusion of silk peptides and hyaluronic acid into our hair (silk) products, and into your wellbeing regime twice a week, can act as a bonding treatment and help to promote healthy hair follicles and voluminous hair growth when you need it the most. And as well as knowing what I need to include, I know I need to avoid silicones at all costs. So ditch the silicones and give your hair the nourishment it deserves with silk peptides.

Why No Silicones?

While silicones may seem to provide immediate benefits to hair in the short term, over time they can cause more harm than good. This is because silicones can build up on the hair shaft, leaving a residue that blocks moisture and hydration from getting into the hair. You might get a short term glow, but as a result, hair may become dull, dry, and brittle in the long run. This lack of moisture can lead to breakage and split ends and MORE damage. That’s why I refuse to formulate with silicones. I care about what my products do for your hair and I’m so happy that I can use hair (silk), at home, without having to touch products which do use silicones. 

hair (silk) is a true gem for nurturing my hair. It’s restorative and luxurious as well as soft and gentle. Incorporate it into a full hair application twice a week as I do, and you will start to help speed up your hair’s repair journey too. I’ll keep you updated with how I get on. I can’t wait for my hair to get back to its maximum volume and shine already. I’m missing my mane! 

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST***