How A Famous Haircare Company Fell From Grace

By Jo A

Olaplex, once hailed as the savior of damaged hair, is now entangled in a web of controversies and legal battles. What began as a promise of salon-quality hair from the comfort of home has become a nightmare for some users who claim to have suffered hair loss, blisters, and scalp injuries from using the product.

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Founded in a garage by Dean Christal, Olaplex initially catered exclusively to hairdressers and salons before expanding its reach to include an at-home range in 2018. It quickly became a best-seller at Sephora. Its patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, promised to repair and restore damaged hair, earning it a devoted following among celebrities and social media influencers.

However, trouble started brewing when a ban was issued on one of Olaplex’s key ingredients, lilial, due to its links to infertility. Lilial, a fragrance compound used in cosmetics and cleaning products, was found to have adverse effects on reproductive health in a study conducted by the European Commission. This led to concerns among consumers, prompting some to boycott Olaplex products out of fear of infertility issues.

Olaplex swiftly removed lilial from its No. 3 Hair Perfector and reassured customers that their products were safe. Despite this, the controversy resurfaced when a group of women filed a lawsuit alleging that Olaplex products had caused hair loss, breakage, and scalp irritation. Olaplex vehemently denied these claims, stating that their products were safe and effective and attributing hair issues to factors beyond their control.

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Despite the legal challenges, Olaplex remains a dominant force in the hair care industry, with a loyal customer base and a strong presence on social media platforms like TikTok. However, the fallout from the lawsuit may tarnish its reputation and open the door for competitors like Redken to claim the top spot in the market. Only time will tell how Olaplex navigates these turbulent waters and whether it can regain the trust of its consumers.