Hair bonding treatments have become incredibly popular in recent years as an effective way to repair damaged hair and restore smoothness and shine. Two of the biggest names in bonding treatments are IGK Antisocial and Olaplex, but which one should you choose?
Here we’ll compare the key features and benefits of these two fan-favorite products to help you decide which is best for your hair needs.
Overview of IGK Antisocial
IGK Antisocial is a vegan leave-in hair treatment that uses plant-powered technology to repair damaged and overprocessed hair. Its key active ingredient is vegan keratin, a plant-based protein that mimics the effects of keratin in human hair.
This allows the product to penetrate into the hair cortex and mend broken bonds from within.
Some of the notable benefits of IGK Antisocial include:
- Strengthens and repairs damage from thermal styling, coloring, bleach, etc.
- Smoothes frizz and flyaways
- Leaves hair feeling stronger and looking shinier
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula
- Fragrance-free
- Safe for color-treated hair
This leave-in treatment is incredibly easy to use.
After shampooing and conditioning your hair, apply a generous amount evenly from roots to ends. Do not rinse out.
Style as usual or let air dry. It can be used as often as needed, even daily, for intensive repair.
Overview of Olaplex
Olaplex is arguably the brand that pioneered hair bonding treatments. It contains a patented active ingredient called bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate which works to reform broken disulfide bonds in the hair that cause damage.
Some key benefits of Olaplex include:
- Repairs damage from highlights, bleach, perms, etc.
- Minimizes breakage and split ends
- Restores strength, texture, and elasticity
- Enhances shine and smoothness
- Suitable for all hair types
- Makes hair easier to style and manage
The Olaplex system features a 3-step process:
No. 1 Bond Multiplier – Add this to color services or bleaching to protect hair during processing.
No. 2 Bond Perfector – Apply this as a leave-in or rinse-out treatment to continue repairing damage.
No. 3 Hair Perfector – Use this reparative styling cream to strengthen hair and boost shine.
Olaplex can produce dramatic results for overprocessed hair, but requires meticulous application and the full system for best results.
Comparing Key Features of IGK Antisocial And Olaplex
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each brand, let’s compare some of their key features side-by-side:
| Feature | IGK Antisocial | Olaplex |
| Active ingredient | Vegan keratin | Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate |
| Formula | 100% vegan | Contains animal-derived ingredients |
| Usage | Leave-in treatment | Standalone or added to color; 3-step system |
| Scent | Fragrance-free | Light clean scent |
| Effects | Strengthening, frizz reduction, shine | Intense repair, minimizes breakage |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
In terms of their active ingredients, vegan keratin and bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate take quite different approaches to bonding hair – but both scientifically proven to mend disulfide bonds within the hair.
Olaplex has more extensive treatment options, but the multi-step system makes it more complex to use.
IGK Antisocial offers easy, fuss-free repair in a single leave-in formula.
Olaplex isn’t vegan, whereas IGK Antisocial is 100% plant-based and cruelty-free.
But Olaplex does seem to produce more dramatic before-and-after transformations.
IGK Antisocial is generally more affordable, with prices averaging $25-$30 per bottle. Olaplex products range from $28 for the smallest size up to $80+ for salon professional sizes.
When To Use Each Product?
Determining which bonding treatment to use will depend largely on the condition of your hair and your specific needs. Here are some general guidelines on when to choose IGK Antisocial vs Olaplex:
IGK Antisocial is ideal for:
- Daily use as an intensive conditioning treatment
- Smoothing frizz and flyaways
- Maintaining already strengthened hair
- People avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Olaplex is best for:
- Repairing severe damage from bleaching/coloring
- Intensely strengthening very weak, brittle hair
- Adding to bleaching or coloring for protection
- Maximizing shine and elasticity
Those with mildly to moderately damaged hair can benefit from either product. But people with very overprocessed or brittle hair may find the concentrated repair treatment of Olaplex more effective.
For maintaining already strengthened strands, IGK Antisocial makes an excellent daily nourishing treatment.
How To Use IGK Antisocial And Olaplex?
Using these treatments properly is key to getting best results. Here’s a quick rundown on how to use each:
IGK Antisocial
- Shampoo and condition hair as usual
- Apply a generous amount of Antisocial evenly from roots to ends
- Do not rinse out. Style or air dry as desired
- Use as often as needed for intensive conditioning
Olaplex
- Add Olaplex No. 1 to color/bleaching following instructions
- Thoroughly rinse hair after processing is complete
- Apply No. 2 generously and leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes
- Rinse out No. 2 then follow with No. 3 as a styling cream
- Use No. 1 & 2 together once a week for maintenance
As you can see, Olaplex requires more steps and time investment to fully complete the treatment. IGK Antisocial offers Damage repair in a fast, fuss-free single step.
Pros and Cons of IGK Antisocial And Olaplex
To summarize the key advantages and disadvantages of each bonding treatment:
IGK Antisocial Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Easy to use leave-in formula
- Lightweight feel won’t weigh hair down
- Safe for daily use
- Fragrance-free
- Smoothes frizz and flyaways
- More affordable pricing
IGK Antisocial Cons
- May not repair severe damage as intensely as Olaplex
- Limited to only one product, not a full system
Olaplex Pros
- Repairs severe damage from bleaching/coloring
- Makes hair stronger and more elastic
- Enhances shine dramatically
- Can be added to color processing for protection
- Salons can provide professional treatments
Olaplex Cons
- Contains animal-derived ingredients
- Complicated 3-step system
- Very expensive, especially for full system/salon txs
- Can feel heavy or cause buildup if overused
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For severe bleaching/color damage, arguably nothing works better than Olaplex. However, for moderate damage and conditioning treatments, alternatives like IGK Antisocial using vegan keratin are effective options.
No shampoo can really provide the same level of bleaching/coloring damage repair as Olaplex bonding treatments. But shampoos with keratin or proteins can help strengthen hair in a similar, but milder way. Some options are the Texture ID Protein Recovery Shampoo by IGK and Biolage Ultra HydraSource Shampoo.
Yes, IGK Antisocial is designed to be left in the hair so it can be applied any time of day. One of the benefits is it doesn’t leave hair looking or feeling greasy so it won’t disrupt your style.
For severe damage, Olaplex is the gold standard. But for mild to moderate damage, IGK Antisocial provides an effective vegan alternative. The best bonding treatment depends on your hair’s needs and condition. Those wanting an easy, cruelty-free option may prefer IGK Antisocial.
The Takeaway
When it comes to superior hair repair, both IGK Antisocial and Olaplex bonding treatments deliver transformative results. Olaplex offers intensive rehabilitation for severely damaged hair. For moderate damage or daily maintenance, IGK Antisocial provides an accessible vegan option.
Assess your hair’s needs and preferences to decide which choice is right for you. With the proper use of either product, you can have stronger, shinier, and healthier hair.
