According to the complaint, multiple Olaplex products contained lilial, a chemical compound that is often used as a perfume in cosmetics until the European Union mandated the ingredient be gone from products by March 2022 due to concerns about its impact on fertility.
The women alleged that Olaplex – specifically its No. 0 to No. 9 products – caused hair loss, breakage, bald spots, and scalp irritation. The plaintiffs are collectively seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
There seems to be a lawsuit : Olaplex is facing legal trouble due to customer complaints accusing the enormously popular products -- which raked in $176 million in sales last year as of the third quarter -- of causing dryness, damage, and breakage, with some users even reporting hair loss.
It is highly unlikely Olaplex (or any hair product) causes hair loss. There is no evidence of this. A savvy lawyer might succeed in convincing an ignorant jury, but law and science aren't exactly in lock step.
We are Clean at Sephora, free from over 50 toxic ingredients, including sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances.
The lawsuit also claims that Olaplex products contain lilial and panthenol - chemical compounds that can lead to hair loss and conditions including "inflamed, blistered, flaking or scaling skin".
As for changes in the hair shaft, a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of the hairs after treatment with formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid showed, in both, a reduction in hair breakage resistance, water uptake and retention, and mass.
In response, Olaplex said its products do not cause hair loss or hair breakage. The company plans to defend its brand and products against the group's accusations. Experts say that if you're using Olaplex products and not having any hair-related problems, you can keep using them.
Dermatologists recommend using Viviscal Pro, Nutrafol, and Rogaine for their clinical effectiveness. Prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements can also help. Ask a dermatologist before considering alternative treatments that may cause harm to your health.
In February 2023, it was reported that 28 women had filed a lawsuit against Olaplex, claiming that their products cause hair loss: “Far from repairing and protecting hair from damage, the products have instead left plaintiffs' hair dry, brittle, frizzy and dull.”
Many customers have left negative feedback, claiming that the product did not work for them and even caused hair damage and loss. Again, we want to stress that we don't use Olaplex at our salon, but we believe in presenting the facts and letting you make your own informed decisions.
Olaplex No. 4 & No. 5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner Set, 8.5 oz Each For All Hair Types - Walmart.com.
The products also have non water-soluble ingredients, which cause the hair follicle to clog, resulting in seborrheic dermatitis and subsequently inflammation and hair loss, the complaint says.
Can you overuse Olaplex? No—you can use Olaplex as often as you like, says Cherry. “Since we break these bonds in our hair every day, there is always work for Olaplex to do.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
For example, the Nutrafol Women contains things such as ashwagandha, marine collagen, tocotrienol, curcumin, saw palmetto, kelp, resveratrol, horsetail, keratin, amino acids, black pepper, capsicum, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, biotin, zinc, selenium and hyaluronic acid.
So, Can Olaplex Cause Hair Loss? There is no evidence that any Olaplex products cause hair loss, despite the claims. Olaplex has science and studies on their side, and many people have experienced positive results with their products, whether that's their shampoo and conditioner or their oils.
Soooooo, if we're solely asking the experts, they say that K18 is hands down the better treatment. “Having used both products extensively on multiple clients with varying hair types, I always find that K18 achieves a significant—and immediate—difference in the hair structure," says Cardenas.
The original lawsuit complaint named 28 plaintiffs who alleged that they had suffered personal injuries from using Olaplex products. Injuries included hair loss and scalp irritation, as well as leaving hair dry, brittle, frizzy, and dull.
Previous reports have described cases of chemically induced cosmetic alopecia that followed the use of highly alkaline hair products commonly referred to as "relaxers" or "straighteners" in the parlance of the hair care industry.
Low-dose acute exposure can result in headache, rhinitis, and dyspnea; higher doses may cause severe mucous membrane irritation, burning, and lacrimation, and lower respiratory effects such as bronchitis, pulmonary edema, or pneumonia. Sensitive individuals may experience asthma and dermatitis, even at very low doses.