Those who love Olaplex deep repair treatment may wonder if you can leave Olaplex 3 on overnight. It is an understandable question. Surely if you leave it on for longer, you will see better results, right? We’ll answer that question and many others below.
What Is Olaplex 3?
Olaplex 3 is marketed as a hair perfector. It repairs hair damage and is formulated to work on all hair types, from straight to coily, from fine to thick. Olapex 3 is said to repair split ends, frizz, and other damage that occurs to the hair over time.
It is color safe, meaning it could be used as a way to repair your hair after a bleaching session or other damaging treatments. This product leaves hair looking stronger and healthier and improves its natural texture.
Given these benefits, many believe that leaving Olaplex 3 overnight would promise better results. Although there are some success stories, Olaplex does not recommend leaving it on overnight, which we dive deeper into later.
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How to Use Olaplex 3 Normally
If you want to use Olaplex 3 on your hair, the instructions are as Olaplex describes.
Step 1
You will want to start with damp, towel-dried hair. This product is designed to be used before you shampoo.
Step 2
Apply a generous amount of product into your hair, working it through from the roots to the ends. The amount of product you use depends on how much hair your hair has and how thick your hair is. Longer, thicker hair will need more product, while thinner short hair will need less.
Step 3
After the product is in your hair, a wide tooth comb through your hair once. After this point, leave the product in your hair for at least 10 minutes. You can leave it in for longer; the bottle does not give a maximum length of time.
Step 4
After the desired time has elapsed, you can rinse the product from your hair and proceed to shampoo and condition as usual. Olaplex recommends using Olaplex 3 weekly as part of your regular haircare routine.
They also recommend that you use Olaplex 4 and Olaplex 5, their Bond Maintenance shampoo and conditioner, as part of your hair care routine after you use Olaplex 3. However, you can use your preferred shampoo and conditioner instead.
Olaplex 3 Maximum Time
There is no specific mention of a maximum time. Olaplex only mentions leaving it in for a minimum of 10 minutes.
However, after a bit of digging, we also found a suggestion on the Olaplex website to keep it on for a maximum of 90 minutes. Olaplex does not recommend that you leave this product on overnight.
While they acknowledge that some people have had great success doing so, it was not how the product was designed. It was not created as a leave-in treatment, so they do not recommend using it as such.
Pros and Cons to Leaving Olaplex 3 on Overnight
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Whether you want to try this method or not, we will go over some of the pros and cons of using Olaplex 3 as an overnight treatment for those who have tried it.
Pros
One celebrity who swears to leave Olaplex 3 overnight is Kim Kardashian. Here are some of the benefits that she and other users have noticed. The first thing users have noticed is stronger hair. Overall, there is less hair shedding.
The next thing is there is less damage to your hair overall. Breakage and split ends are visibly repaired. Lastly, users have found that styling is much easier as you’re not fighting with split ends and tangled hair.
Cons
Since Olaplex 3 is not designed to be an overnight treatment, there are bound to be some drawbacks to trying to use it as such. The primary thing users notice is scalp irritation. The product sits against your head for at least 6 hours, if not longer.
This will become irritating over time, much like a mild chemical burn if you have sensitive skin. If this happens, the effect will likely only be temporary. Next, it is likely not very comfortable to sleep in.
Those who are used to doing overnight treatments probably will not notice a difference, but if you are trying this for the first time, do not do it the night before a big event or earlier morning, just in case.
Many users found no real difference between leaving it on overnight or leaving it on for just an hour.
Lastly, Olaplex cautions against using this product as an overnight treatment as it could get in your eyes. It can be seriously irritating to your eyes and should be rinsed out immediately if it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about leaving Olaplex 3 on overnight.
Can Olaplex 3 damage your hair?
No. Due to the formula, no matter how much you use Olaplex 3, it will not damage your hair. If you keep it on too long, it may cause some scalp irritation.
Users did note, however, that if you use it often, you may find that you need to leave the product on for more extended amounts of time for you to notice any difference in your hair. For that reason, it is best to stick to once or twice a week as a part of your regular hair routine.
Do you use Olaplex 3 on wet or dry hair?
Olaplex 3 should be used on damp, towel-dry hair. This means get your hair wet first, and then use a towel to gently pull most of the water from it. Your hair should be damp to the touch, not dripping wet.
The dampness of your hair will help ensure the product spreads evenly through your hair. However, if your hair is dry, you can still use Olaplex 3.
The only downside is that it will take significantly more product to spread through dry hair as opposed to damp. If you do not want to get your hair thoroughly wet before treatment, another option would be to use a spray bottle to gently dampen your hair.
Another option, if you have a hair texture that allows it, would be to run your hairbrush under water and use that to brush through your hair. Repeat until your hair is damp.
Does Olaplex 3 really work?
If the reviews are to be believed, Olapex 3 seems to work on all hair textures and thicknesses. Its formula will visibly repair damage and make your hair stronger and shinier.
How long can you leave Olaplex 3 on?
Olaplex recommends a minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of 90 minutes. Any longer than that, you likely will not see any additional effect on your hair, and it can cause some adverse effects like irritation and redness.
So, Can You Leave Olaplex 3 on Overnight?
You can, but it is not recommended. Olapex 3 is designed to be a pre-shampoo treatment that is left in your hair for at least 10 minutes and a maximum of 90.
However, if you want to try it as an overnight treatment, we recommend doing it only once in a while and not a part of your daily routine.