Why Kim Kardashian and Kate Hudson love hair lamination, a shiny treatment that keeps locks frizz-free
- How do you combat the effects of hair dye, frizz and dullness? Hair lamination can keep your locks looking lush and shiny for up to three weeks
- Stars like Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston are fans of the hair treatment, but stylists say the heat-activated treatment can cause damage
Brow lamination has fast become one of the best non-invasive ways to get full, thick eyebrows. A different sort of lamination is available now, too – one that promises to give you soft, glossy hair.
What is hair lamination?
“The mask, containing oils and protein, must be applied on washed hair and left on so that the hair shaft is penetrated deeply,” explains Stephane Ferreira, operations manager of Live True London, in England. The result? High gloss and improved texture.
It is similar to the more widely known keratin treatment, but it takes less time, is less invasive and is free of harsh chemicals.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this treatment only works on the outer layer of hair strands, and it should not be considered a hair health treatment.
Jamilla Paul, the artistic director at Sisters Beauty Lounge in the United Arab Emirates, considers hair lamination a sort of make-up tool for your hair: a fast-acting remedy to improve dullness and dryness in a matter of seconds.
It has become a go-to for various celebrities looking for a quick gloss-up to make their hair look smooth in front of the cameras.
Who can do it?
The main goal is to protect your hair from the moisture loss caused by external factors such as sun exposure, harsh chemicals, toxins and oil stripping. After a lamination treatment, your hair will be able to lock in moisture more easily, staying up to 10 times more hydrated and five times glossier than it was before.
As such, the benefits of hair lamination can be enjoyed by anyone but it is an excellent option for those with dry, dull, frizzy, colour-treated and/or damaged hair, and also works great for those looking to repair split ends or improve the texture of longer locks that can be more prone to dryness.
The pros and cons of hair lamination
As with everything, there are ups and downs. The procedure decreases the number of visible split ends, helps align your hair properly and makes your hair look smoother and shinier.
On top of the extra shine, your hair will be softer to the touch as the treatment gets rid of frizziness and fluffiness thanks to the layer each strand is coated with that protects it against potentially damaging external factors.
“It’s not something we’ve had a chance to test, whether it accelerates the thinning and ageing of the hair shaft over time,” he explains.
“It claims to form a barrier to moisture on the surface of the hair … but we now know that it interferes with osmosis – the natural ‘breathing’ of the hair, where hair can recover lost moisture from the atmosphere.”
Another con, and one of the main reasons some people opt for a keratin treatment or a Brazilian blowout, is longevity.
The effects of hair lamination only last two or three weeks – a Brazilian blowout can last for up to three months – so if you are looking to make it a regular part of your hair routine, you will go see your hair stylist at least once a month for consistent results.
