I’m a hair pro & salons get you to waste hundreds on useless products – why keratin’s NOT the answer to silky locks
A LITTLE Olaplex treatment here, some keratin mask there and next thing you know you have to fork out £200 at the till.
But do you really need to buy all the professional shampoos? Will Olaplex truly transform your dry hair?
To find out, Fabulous chatted to Gennaro Dell’Aquila, the owner and creator of GA Salons based in London.
Pricey keratin treatments – best to give a miss?
For decades, keratin has been marketed as the holy grail for those after silky hair.
But as Gennaro went on to reveal, these treatments often contain a heavy dose of harmful ingredients.
”It’s important to keep in mind that traditional keratin treatments are chemical treatments that can be harsh on hair and potentially expose clients and stylists to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and other aldehydes.”
But if you don’t want to end up like one woman whose once luscious locks were destroyed after forking out for a keratin treatment, fear not – the whizz offered an alternative.
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”If you want smoother, more manageable hair without risking a chemical burn or inhaling toxic fumes, then the Cezanne treatment we provide at GA SALONS is your new best friend.
”It has become a popular alternative to traditional keratin treatments, using a combination of gentler, more natural ingredients like keratin and glycolic acid to help achieve smoother, more manageable hair.”
He added: ”Plus, it’s free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and other aldehydes, so you can strut out of the salon feeling like a diva, not a science experiment gone wrong.”
Olaplex – worth the hype?
It’s one of the biggest hair brands favoured by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.
But in the recent years, there has been a lot of conversation about whether Olaplex is even safe to use due to some of its ingredients.
But according to Gennaro, there’s no need to worry – Olaplex products are here to save your hair.
”While the product does contain chemicals like bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which help repair hair bonds, they’re completely safe, when used as directed,”’ noted the pro.
”Olaplex has been tested and proven to be effective on all hair types, so you can feel confident using it to help repair damage and improve the overall health of your hair.”
In store VS professional hair care
The whizz chuckled: ”It’s like choosing between a high-end sports car and a budget-friendly bicycle – they both get you where you need to go, but the ride can be very different.”
Whichever you end up picking, it’s vital you take a peek at the ingredients list on the back – try to go for the one with the most natural product where possible.
However, Gennaro warned that for the most part, drugstore products tend to have a bunch of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, parabens.
These, as well as other harsh chemicals, are responsible for stripping the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage.
”That’s why we recommend avoiding these products and choosing a product with natural ingredients to help prevent damage and improve overall hair health.”
Squeaky clean scalp
Some hairdressers also offer their clients treatments that promise a squeaky clean scalp, free of any build-up.
But although there’s typically nothing wrong with these, the beauty pro reminded to not go overboard – a little goes a long way.
”While scalp-cleansing treatments can be super helpful, using them too frequently can strip your scalp of its natural oils and cause more problems than it solves.
”So just be careful not to overdo it!”
Nailed it
Hair salons are no longer just for hair – you can get in a whole mini pamper session with tanning and a fresh set of mani.
Gennaro noted: ”While acrylic nails and other nail treatments can enhance the appearance of nails, they can also pose potential hazards if they are not done correctly or used excessively.
”Some of these hazards include nail damage, infections, allergic reactions, skin damage, and chemical exposure.”
The same applies for tanning sessions – sunbeds have long been linked to skin cancer, as well as premature ageing of the skin.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is significant evidence to show that using tanning beds causes melanoma.
They report that sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 20 per cent, and also state that they have no positive benefits to our health.
”At our salon, we prioritize the health and safety of our customers, which is why we choose not to offer these services to minimize any potential risks,” said Gennaro.
”We want you to feel confident and beautiful while also maintaining your long-term health and well-being.”