How Metal Detox Became a Game Changer | L'Oréal Professionnel

Since its highly anticipated release, L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox has been tested by hairstylists and consumers across the globe. And the results are in: This range is an absolute game changer when it comes to combating the effects of metals and hard water on hair.

Over the course of seven years, we partnered with Ioaninna University “to understand the impact of metal in hair: breakage and unpredictable color results,” says Leïla Hercouet, Senior Research Associate: Innovation, L’Oréal Research & Development. And this led to identifying a “breakthrough solution”—the Metal Detox line. With nine patents and seven years of research behind it, it’s not hard to see why everyone continues to love these anti-metal hair care products.

Below, we’re celebrating this innovative system, including tips on how to use L'Oréal Metal Detox, and some of the top benefits of this range. Read on to discover what makes Metal Detox so unique and why it’s a must-have in your hair care products for combatting metal buildup at home.

Where Do the Metals in Hair Come From?

“Everyone has metals in their hair,” says L'Oréal Professionnel Artist Jovanna Benzan. Metal particles, such as iron and copper, “come from your showerhead and from pipe erosion,” says Benzan. When these metals come up through your pipes, they can accumulate in your hair via household water sources. This buildup of metals is usually attributed to “hard” water, which is another name for water that has a high content of dissolved minerals and metals. Whether your water is “hard” or “soft” will depend on your location and the quality of the water pipes in your home.

Why does this matter for your hair? Unfortunately, metal buildup can really take a toll on your mane over time, causing breakage, brassiness, dullness, and less-than-ideal color results. Hair Expert Sebastian Langman-Kirtley can relate, saying that: “As a colorist, metal in the water has been a huge issue and a big frustration for years. It affects over 75% of my clientele.”

What Is L'Oréal Metal Detox?

Metal Detox features a three-step professional system for stylists and a two-step at-home system. Whether it’s used at the salon or at home between appointments, Metal Detox detoxifies hair and neutralizes metals trapped inside your hair. This can make all the difference when it comes to protecting that post-salon vibrancy while also providing softness, nourishment, and shine. Beloved by professionals and hair enthusiasts alike, the range’s ability to neutralize and detoxify the hair from metals helps result in 87% less breakage* and 100% reliable color results** during any color, balayage, and lightening service. With Metal Detox, it’s possible to maintain your color vibrancy for a look that is intensely shiny and bright.

How to Use Metal Detox

“I've never seen anything like this project before,” says stylist Sebastian Langman-Kirtley. “From the first application, I can see a big difference in the end result of every color I applied. The tonal clarity was drastically improved, as well as the overall condition of the hair.” In other words, Metal Detox can help you achieve the color of your dreams (and avoid any surprises in the salon chair). Keep reading to learn more about each of the game-changing products in our Metal Detox system.

Metal Detox Pre-Treatment (In-Salon)

This professional pre-treatment acts as a metal neutralizer and should be used at the salon before your color, balayage, or lightening service. Your colorist will begin by first spraying on dry hair (focusing on the lengths), and allowing it to air dry while prepping their formulas. This pre-treatment doesn’t need to be rinsed and no added time is needed. After applying, they will simply follow with your usual color, balayage, or lightening service.

Metal Detox Shampoo (In-Salon & At-Home)

Metal Detox’s sulfate-free shampoo acts as the perfect anti-metal cleansing cream. It gently detoxifies metals from your strands post-service and can be utilized both in the salon and at home. To use L'Oréal Metal Detox Shampoo, apply evenly on wet hair, lather into a rich foam, and rinse.

Metal Detox Mask (In-Salon & At-Home)

Our Metal Detox Mask makes the ultimate last step in your at-home routine for combating hard water and metals. To use this anti-metal hair mask at home, apply it to towel-dried hair after rinsing out your Metal Detox Shampoo. Wait 1-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Metal Detox Oil

Use the Metal Detox hair oil to prevent harmful metals from entering the hair fiber. The lightweight texture helps strengthen hair to prevent damage caused by metals. Use on damp hair to easily detangle, add shine or protect against heat before styling. Can also be used on dry hair to manage frizz, prime before restyling or layer for more shine.

Metal Detox Styling Cream

The Metal Detox leave-in styling cream works to smooth hair with long-lasting moisture, while reducing breakage caused by harmful metals found in water. Its professional, salon-grade formula also maintains color vibrancy, provides heat protection up to 450⁰F, and reduces frizz--making for the perfect addition to any styling routine.

Reasons to Celebrate Metal Detox by L'Oréal Professionnel

There are countless reasons to adore the entire Metal Detox range. Here are just a few of our favorites below:

Ideal for those with hard water

Hard water affects many households across the U.S., and, as we mentioned, this type of water can result in a buildup of metals on the hair. But Metal Detox helps keep metals away in order to preserve in-salon results and help prevent breakage. The best way to reap these benefits is by following the two-step at-home Metal Detox regimen by using the sulfate-free shampoo and mask between salon appointments.

Made by pros

Metal Detox was co-created by three hair experts and L'Oréal Professionnel partner hairdressers: Charlotte Catherin (@charlotte_catherin), Sebastian Langman-Kirtley (@sebastiancolorist), and Washington Nunnes (@wnunnes). This system’s unique benefits are tailored to the true needs of hair professionals, with at-home applications to maintain color results between salon visits.

Patented technology with Glicoamine

“Thanks to our collaboration with the worldwide authority on metal, Ioannina University, we identified a perfect molecule: Glicoamine,” says Charlotte Feltin, Head of L'Oréal Haircare Laboratories. Glicoamine is the star ingredient in Metal Detox. Rather than addressing only the metal particles on the surface of the hair fiber, Glicoamine is “the only active agent small enough to trap and neutralize metal inside the fiber,” according to Feltin. “Fiber integrity is preserved, color is mastered, and the oxidant gets to fully do its job.” So, by preventing metals from interacting with oxidants, Glicoamine helps protect hair from breakage, with more reliable color results every time.

Detoxifies & protects hair

L'Oréal’s Metal Detox system neutralizes and detoxifies hair from metals gently and effectively. It’s the perfect system to help bring hair back to life between salon visits or immediately after any color, balayage, or lightening servich3.Maintains color vibrancy Because it helps detoxify the hair, Metal Detox helps keep color results and vibrancy intact and add intense shine. It can help you maintain the rich, cool color tones you love between salon visits while clearing out unwanted yellow undertones, according to Charlotte Catherin, Hair Expert and Color & Balayage Expert.

Creates smoother, softer-feeling hair

In addition to combating buildup from metals, Metal Detox’s conditioner and mask leave hair feeling instantly smoother, softer, and more nourished. This provides your hair with the ultimate post-service combination of vibrancy, shine, softness, and nourishment.

Suitable for all hair types & textures

Metal Detox is expertly formulated to work with all hair types and textures. Whether your hair is curly, thick, wavy, or straight, Metal Detox is the perfect addition to any at-home hair care regimen for combating metals.

Compatible with all color & lightener brands

Our Metal Detox for hair is compatible with all color and lightening brands, not only L'Oréal Professionnel products. Even better, it doesn’t affect the processing time of any color or lightener when used in-salon and also
does not impact lift, texture, or any other attributes of the preferred hair lightener.

Delivers stronger, shinier hair

Using Metal Detox to detoxify your hair can result in locks that feel stronger and 2x shinier.*** Hair stylist Rachelle Levitsky (@rachellelevitskyhairstylist) can’t get over the amazing results: ‘‘Absolutely superb innovation! My client’s hair felt incredible after. Metal Detox is outstanding for great color results and hair integrity.’’

Discover more about the effects of hard water on hair and how L'Oréal Professionnel’s Metal Detox line can help with our article on an at-home hair care routine for combating metals.

*Instrumental test: Metal Detox pre-treatment + technical procedure + shampoo + mask
**No impact on lift, and optimized color uptake.
***Instrumental test after Metal Detox Shampoo + Mask