Your clients' hair encounters various challenges, from frequent washing and styling to exposure to environmental elements. Casey Yee, stylist + K18 Senior Global Director of Education, shares expert insights for you to guide your clients in choosing between targeted repair treatments and conditioning protection.

understanding the basics: repair vs. protection

Regardless of hair texture, every client can benefit from both repair and protection. Yee underscores that damage is inevitable, stemming from various sources, including environmental aggressors and routine styling. Repair treatments address specific issues, correcting damage from stressors like pollution or chemical treatments. Daily protection is crucial to safeguard locks from potential harm.

when a client needs a repair treatment

When assessing if repair is necessary, Yee recommends looking for signs like excessive dryness, breakage, or persistent tangling. The K18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask is a valuable tool in your kit, focusing on correcting specific problems caused by environmental stressors or chemical treatments.

“Our K18 PRO mist and the PRO leave-in molecular repair hair mask have the patented K18PEPTIDE™ which uses biomimetic technology to permanently repair damage sites in the hair by mimicking a peptide that naturally exists in the hair but is lost when hair becomes damaged,” Yee explains.

When Should I Choose Damage Repair vs Protection?

when a client needs daily conditioning protection

Whether a client is seeking a smoother finish, undergoes frequent hair color changes, or needs protection from environmental elements, everyone would benefit from daily conditioning protection. The DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner provides daily protection. Yee highly recommends using the nourishing conditioner to guard against UV rays, daily mechanical styling, and environmental stressors.

in-salon application

The PROS know: you should always apply the K18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask first before protecting the hair with the DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner.

“It's super important these products are applied in this order because otherwise, you will not get the maximum penetration of the K18PEPTIDE™ into you client’s hair,” Yee says.

the importance of at-home care

For at-home care, Yee recommends using the K18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask at least one time a week and the DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner on non-mask days. This balanced routine ensures targeted repair addresses specific issues, while daily conditioning protection maintains overall hair health.

In conclusion, always assess a client's habits, lifestyle, and specific hair issues to determine whether repair or daily conditioning protection is needed. Yee’s expert guidance offers a clear roadmap for tailoring a client's hair care routine to address both specific problems and overall maintenance.