Hair lamination at home
Beautiful, smooth and shiny hair is the dream of every woman. Salons often offer a lamination procedure, promising that the curls will be silk, as in advertising. We will tell you if hair lamination is possible at home, and is it really an effective procedure

The term “lamination” of hair actually comes from “elumination” – a safe dyeing technique without oxidizing agents, which was developed by the German hair cosmetics brand Goldwell. But while the procedure has reached Our Country, it has undergone some changes in the name, and now in the salons you can find lamination, and biolamination, and phytolamination, and glazing, and shielding. 

What is hair lamination

The principle of all these procedures is the same: a special composition (transparent or colored) based on cellulose is applied to the hair with a brush, which envelops each hair like a thinnest film. After the procedure, the hair really looks like in advertising – voluminous, smooth, shiny. It is believed that hair lamination performs several important tasks at once: it protects against overheating and overdrying (especially if you often use a hot curling iron or straightening iron), retains moisture inside the hair, and prevents brittleness and split ends. If, for example, lamination is done immediately after hair coloring, the color and shine will last longer.

It should be noted right away that the effect of lamination is temporary and does not exceed one month. If you wash your hair often or use a shampoo that contains sulfates, the protective film can be washed off much faster. Therefore, many stylists claim that it is better to treat and restore hair with the help of quality care products, and not spend money on a very time-limited effect.

Lamination at home

Gelatin

Salon hair lamination procedure is an expensive pleasure, so many women have adapted to laminate their hair at home using the most common gelatin, which costs mere pennies. But gelatin contains collagen, which is responsible for the shine and strength of the hair.

What will you need?

To prepare a laminating agent you will need: 

  • Gelatin (tablespoon without a slide),
  • Water (three tablespoons)
  • Balm or hair conditioner (the amount depends on the length and thickness of the hair).

You can deviate from the standard recipe and add additional ingredients – for example, honey or egg yolk to strengthen hair, or diluted apple cider vinegar for extra shine, or a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil.

How to cook

The preparation is quite simple. First you need to mix gelatin with water and put it on a water bath. Do not forget to constantly stir the composition so that lumps do not form. When the mass becomes completely homogeneous, set it aside to cool, then mix with a balm or hair conditioner. That’s it – the gelatin-based laminating composition is ready.

Which gelatin is better to choose

To simplify the process, choose regular powdered gelatin. If you managed to get only leaf, then soak it in cold water for five minutes. When the gelatin softens, squeeze it from excess moisture, then put it to warm up in a water bath, then mix with water, and then follow the recipe.

How to apply laminator correctly

First, wash your hair with shampoo. Balm does not need to be applied, it is already in the composition of the laminating agent. Then lightly dry your hair with a soft towel and divide it into zones. Separating one strand, gently apply the composition along the entire length, retreating a few centimeters from the roots. When all of your hair is covered, put on a shower cap or wrap your hair in a towel. For the effectiveness of the procedure, the towel must be regularly heated with a hairdryer. 

To achieve the maximum effect, keep the composition on the hair for 30-40 minutes, then rinse the hair thoroughly and dry it in the usual way.

Reviews about home lamination with gelatin

There are many reviews on the Internet about gelatin lamination – from enthusiastic to negative. Basically, women note the smoothness and obedience of the hair immediately after the procedure, but note that the effect does not last long. But there are those who were dissatisfied with the procedure, because they did not notice the amazing shine on their hair.

Hair lamination at home by professional means

If you don’t want to bother with gelatin, cosmetic companies offer a wide range of professional formulations, promising smooth and shiny hair without a trip to the beauty salon.

Concept smart lamination

The German brand of professional hair cosmetics Concept offers the Concept smart lamination kit for smart hair lamination. The set consists of the composition of the hot phase, the composition of the cold phase and the mousse elixir. The cost is from 1300 to 1500 rubles. 

According to the manufacturer, Concept smart lamination forms the thinnest membrane on the hair, which reliably protects against the negative effects of the external environment, makes the curls shiny and elastic.

How to use

The kit is very easy to use. First you need to wash your hair, dry it slightly with a towel, and then apply the composition of the hot phase with a brush, retreating a couple of centimeters from the roots. Then wrap your hair with a towel, and rinse the composition after 20 minutes with warm water. You can speed up the process by heating your hair with a hair dryer, then it will take only 10 minutes. 

The next step is the application of the composition of the cold phase. The product is applied to the hair for 10 minutes, and then it is not necessary to wash it off. The last step is to apply a protective elixir mousse to the hair. To maintain the effect, the procedure must be repeated every 2-3 weeks.

Reviews about the set

Most of the reviews on the internet are positive. Many note that the hair really became shiny and strong, but after a couple of weeks the lamination procedure must be repeated again. Some note that immediately after lamination, the hair looks greasy, but if you still violate the manufacturer’s recommendations and wash off the composition of the cold phase, then the hair looks much better.

Hair company double action

The Hair company double action laminating kit from the Italian brand of hair cosmetics Hair Company is available in two versions: for straight and curly hair. As part of a set of products for hot and cold phases and caring oil. The set is not cheap – from 5 rubles, but according to the manufacturer, after the first procedure, your hair will look healthy and well-groomed, as if after a beauty salon.

How to use

First, comb your hair and wash it with shampoo (preferably from the brand line). After that, evenly distribute the hot phase product through the hair, retreating from the roots by a couple of centimeters. Leave the composition on the hair for 10 (using a hair dryer) – 20 minutes (without a hair dryer), then rinse it off. The next step is to apply the composition of the cold phase. The composition is applied to the hair from roots to ends for 5-7 minutes, after which it is washed off again. At the end of the procedure, apply a caring oil that does not need to be washed off.

Reviews about the set

Reviews about the Hair company double action set are positive. Users note that after the first application, the hair becomes smooth and strong, voluminous. Of the minuses – a rather high price, and the effect lasts no more than 2-3 weeks, after which the procedure is repeated again.

Lebel

The Japanese hair cosmetics company Lebel offers a hair lamination kit, which includes shampoo, Luquias LebeL laminating composition, caring mask and lotion. The laminating composition itself is made on the basis of extracts from sunflower seeds, grape seeds and corn proteins. The price of a set starts from 4700 rubles.

How to use

First you need to wash your hair with shampoo from the set and dry it with a towel. Using a spray bottle, gently and evenly apply the lotion to your hair and dry it with a hair dryer. The next step is the application of the laminating composition. To do this, squeeze Luquias gel into a paint bowl, use a comb or brush to apply the composition to the hair, stepping back from the roots. Make sure that the product does not get on the ears and scalp. Then wrap your hair with plastic wrap or put on a shower cap, and then heat it with a hair dryer for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the cap and let the hair cool – for example, using a cold blow with a hairdryer, and then rinse the composition with water. Finally, apply a revitalizing mask to your hair.

Reviews about the set

Basically, the reviews are positive – users note that the hair really looks thick, dense and healthy. But there is also a certain nuance. If the hair was initially severely damaged, often discolored, became porous and with split ends, there will be no effect from the procedure. Hair must first be cured with care cosmetics and only then proceed to lamination.

Questions and Answers

Hair lamination – an effective care procedure or a marketing ploy?
– Lamination is the name coined by the brand for the promotion of hair care products. The very word “lamination” implies that we “seal” something of value. But now all the expensive and well-known brands of care products, any salon hair care give exactly the same effect. We bring the missing components into the hair, close the top cuticle layer, and fix the effect so that it stays after washing the hair at home. The stated washout period is also different and depends to a greater extent on the initial condition of the hair before the procedure.

Lamination is not a specific technology, it is just a name. It is made with and without dyes, and with and without ironing. There is only one meaning – to “seal” the care procedure on the hair, explains stylist with 11 years of experience, owner and director of Flock beauty salon Albert Tyumisov.

Does gelatin help restore hair at home?
– There is no point in gelatin at home. The cuticle scales just stick together and the hair becomes heavier. There can be no talk of restoring the hair structure here. Personally, I am for an individual approach to hair care. Hair comes in many different types, each requiring specific care. And if you trust a good professional, he will select the care based on your hair history, type, structure and wishes. And whether it will be a spa ritual in the salon or home care, or both together, already depends on each specific case, the expert says.

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