How to Do Bond-Building Hair Treatment at Home

You can't recreate professional bond-rebuilding chemistry at home, but you can strengthen hair with protein treatments and deep conditioning masks.

1. Start with clean, damp hair. Shampoo with a clarifying formula to remove buildup. Towel-dry until hair is damp but not dripping. Clean hair absorbs treatments better than dirty or soaking wet hair.
2. Apply a protein treatment. Work a keratin or hydrolyzed protein mask through mid-lengths to ends, avoiding roots. These ingredients temporarily fill gaps in damaged hair cuticles. Leave for the recommended time, usually 10-20 minutes.
3. Follow with deep conditioning. Rinse the protein treatment completely, then apply a moisture-rich mask. Protein without moisture makes hair brittle, so this step balances the treatment. Focus on ends and leave for 5-10 minutes.
4. Seal with cool water. Rinse with cool water to close the hair cuticle and lock in the treatment. Apply a leave-in conditioner with heat protection before styling.