Decalcifying and repairing: Kérastase’s new Première line is innovating damage repair haircare

Targeting the effects of calcium buildup on our hair and repairing hair from the inside out.

If you’re anything like me, hair damage has always been a big concern when it comes to the health of your hair. It can leave your hair looking dry, brittle and unhealthy, and can eventually lead to thinning hair. If you have over-processed or bleached hair, you’re even more likely to experience hair damage. 

I’m not alone in my concerns. Hair damage tops the list of hair worries for many women, with Kérastase finding reports of persistent hair damage among women, despite them using various repairing products.

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There have been many advancements in treating hair breakage over the years, with brands like Olaplex and K18 proving popular for their range of products that penetrate hair on a molecular level in order to treat damage. 

But there’s another factor at play the industry has overlooked: calcium. Kérastase’s new Première collection has been created to specifically target calcium buildup, a problem the brand describes as being “like kryptonite for the hair”. With the release of the Première collection, it looks like there may be a new best practice for minimising hair breakage: decalcifying the hair first, then treating it.  

“Première is born from an unprecedented scientific discovery, showing that the calcium in water amplifies the effects of damage on hair. Understanding this enabled us to create a range that first decalcifies hair and then repairs it, by helping reconnect the keratin bonds,” explains Rosa Carriço, Kérastase’s Global Brand President. 

When our hair is exposed to calcium, it deposits outside the hair shaft and in between cuticles, leaving hair rough, dull and dry. It can penetrate right down into the keratin layer of our hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage, particularly with processed hair. Unfortunately for our hair, there are high levels of calcium in our water, and when we bathe and wash it accumulates, leading to persistent damage.

After a large number of product tests, Kérastase found that the right combination of citric acid (used to remove calcium) and glycine (which repairs damage) infused the Première products with a unique power. 

At a three per cent concentration, the citric acid has a molecular shape with three arms that bind to calcium, trapping and eliminating it. Meanwhile, the glycine, at a five per cent concentration, is small enough to penetrate even the deepest layers of the fibre to recreate the hair’s original strength. Finally, peptides fill in and seal the hair’s surface to create hair that stays hydrated and shiny. 

If your hair is weak, damaged, dry and brittle, the Première collection has a carefully curated selection of products that will help you restore it to its original strength and shine. Below, we unpack how each one works to prevent breakage assist you in getting the most out of your hair.

Première Intensive Repairing Concentrate

Designed to remove calcium buildup, this pre-wash glycine treatment for damaged hair is the first of its kind. It uses a potent concentration of eight per cent acids, decalcifying hair from the inside out. Its transparent, gel-like texture reconnects broken keratin links, reinforces hair strength and leaves dull hair looking revitalised. Kérastase’s tests found that with use, there was a 93 per cent reduction in hair breakage and that 99 per cent of the hair’s original strength was restored.* Impressive stuff. 

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Première Decalcifying and Repairing Hair Shampoo

This advanced Decalcifying and Repairing Hair Shampoo is suitable for all types of over-processed and damaged hair. Professional grade and sulphate-free, it gently cleanses the scalp and hair, removing excess calcium in the process. Its dual-action feature sees it transform into a lavish foam that restores keratin links within the hair shaft, revitalising hair structure from within and enhancing hair shine by 73 per cent.* e

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Première Repairing Conditioner for Damaged Hair

A pioneering product, this conditioner is decalcifying, repairing and softening, and is tailored for all types of damaged hair. It restores the original elasticity and fortifies the fibre for increased strength, while its dual-action capability combats calcium excess by decalcifying and repairing damaged hair. A lightweight jelly texture, it envelops the hair and effectively neutralises the harsh impact of calcium in the water, preventing future hair breakage and kicking off an inside-out repair process. 

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Première Repairing Mask for Damaged Hair

If you care about haircare, it’s likely you already use a hair mask at least once a week. But unlike other hair masks, this rich formula goes beyond bond repair. It will reconstruct your hair’s inner strength (perfect for weakened hair) while effectively forming a protective shield against future breakage. Designed for all hair types, the mask’s anti-breakage ‘filler’ and luxurious creamy texture maximise hair recovery, particularly for those with brittle hair or who’ve recently lightened their hair. 

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Première Intensive Repairing Serum

This lightweight leave-in hair treatment serum repairs all types of damaged hair from within, leaving you with glossy, shiny hair. Processed hair, due to its increased porousness, absorbs three times more calcium from water than untreated hair, and this serum is specifically designed to tackle the issue. 

Like other products in this collection, it uses a dual-action approach. Its light texture seals the hair cuticles and provides a protective shield for the hair’s surface, while simultaneously penetrating the hair fibre and reinforcing its strength. As an added bonus, it also shields hair from humidity and heat, eliminating frizz and leaving your hair easier to style. 

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Première Repairing Hair Oil

Hair oil is a must if your hair is dehydrated and damaged, but not all hair oils are made equal. Kérastase’s Première Repairing Hair Oil is a concentrated leave-in oil that repairs and revitalises all types of damaged hair, resulting in maximised strength and shine. Its nurturing ingredients, including citric acid, glycine and peptides, seal split ends, strengthen hair fibres and minimise any dullness. 

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*According to statistics published on the Kérastase website. 

Like what you see? Read more about the Kérastase Première collection here.