Excerpt:
I started with Olaplex No. 3 thinking it would make my already healthy, virgin hair even better — fuller, stronger, shinier. Instead, it left me with bald spots, brittle strands, and breakage at the top of my head. I feel scammed, disappointed, and devastated after trusting the hype.

Posted by: Diana

I can’t even believe I’m writing this, but I have to warn people. I started with Olaplex No. 3 back in August. I bought the little bottle from Sephora first and, when it seemed to be making my hair look fuller, I went all in and ordered the big bottle from Amazon. I’ve always had fine hair but a lot of it — long, virgin hair that goes almost down to my bum. I only wash it once a week, don’t use hot tools, and always let it air dry 60–70% before using a cool blow dryer. My hair was healthy, thick, and natural.

At first, Olaplex seemed like it was helping. My hair felt fuller, maybe even a little stronger. So, I decided to add their No. 4 and No. 5 shampoo and conditioner to my routine. That’s when everything went downhill. My scalp started itching like crazy, then the breakage began — and I don’t mean a few strands. I’m talking chunks breaking off at the top of my head, leaving these awful inch-long pieces. After that came the shedding, and before I knew it, my hair was falling out fast.

This isn’t COVID fallout — I know exactly what that feels like. I had COVID fallout over three years ago and lost half my hair back then, but that was only shedding, not breakage. I’ve recovered since then. I get my labs done regularly: hormones, vitamins, interleukins, everything. I’ve been monitored for years due to long haulers and recovery, and I’m totally stable. This isn’t health-related. This is product-related.

After a few months of using the Olaplex system, my once soft, strong hair turned into straw. My scalp felt irritated, my strands snapped if I even touched them, and I found bald spots forming along my part line. It was terrifying. I had spent years growing it all back after COVID and nurturing it with care — and in a matter of months, Olaplex destroyed that progress.

When I finally stopped using it and switched to a clarifying shampoo and conditioner, something amazing happened — the fallout stopped, and the breakage slowed. It was like my hair was finally breathing again. But the damage is already done. I’ve been cutting inches off, trying to save what’s left, and honestly, I might have to chop it all off and start over.

And the worst part? I’m not alone. After this happened, I went online and found so many people saying the same thing. Same symptoms, same pattern — things were fine at first, then the itching, then the breakage, and then the horror of seeing bald spots. Whatever Olaplex is doing or changing in their formulas, something isn’t right.

I followed their directions exactly as they said on the website — used it once a week, not the two to three times they claim is “safe.” My hair wasn’t damaged, it was healthy. Now, it’s a disaster. I feel completely scammed by all the hype about how “amazing” this line is.

I don’t know what’s happening with these products, but I do know it’s not user error, not overuse, and not my health. I have the medical tests to prove that. This was Olaplex. Buyer beware. If your hair is healthy, don’t risk it. I wish I never had.