Ever faced the challenge of detangling hair post-lightening service? We get it. Meet your ultimate knot-busting ally—the K18 DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner.

But we're not just going to tell you about it, we'll show you exactly how to use it with an exclusive video featuring Tabitha Dueñas, a dimensional color specialist.

Drawing upon her wealth of expertise, she reveals how incorporating K18 haircare enhances client experience and ensures their hair is optimally colored and cared for before and after service.

clean your canvas

The best results always start with clean hair. Dueñas uses 6-10 sprays per quadrant of the no-rinse K18 PEPTIDE PREP™pro chelating hair complex on her client's dry hair from root to ends.

"I want to remove any minerals and metals that might be on the hair, influencing an unpredictable result in our color."

This step ensures you work with a canvas free of buildup or grime, setting the stage for flawless coloring.

repair existing damage

Addressing daily wear and tear on your client's hair is key. Damage accumulates constantly, so taking time to repair it is an indispensable step to enhance the overall quality of your services.

Dueñas' go-to line of defense is the K18 professional molecular repair hair mist, which repairs any pre existing damage to a client’s hair before applying any color.

shampoo + condition before detangling

After applying color or bleach, Dueñas recommends this post-coloring regimen:

Start with K18 PEPTIDE PREP™ detox shampoo to cleanse before using the K18 professional molecular repair mask.
After the 4-minute wait period, apply K18 DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner from mid-lengths to ends.
Then Tabitha focuses on teased areas to weightlessly soften and detangle.

Going in this order allows for a smoother, softer feel that melts away tangles and ensures you can get an even gloss application on your client’s hair.

wash + condition again

Wrap up with K18 DAMAGE SHIELD pH protective shampoo to gently cleanse and enhance shine without stripping. Finish with K18 DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner again to protect your client’s hair for up to 3 days.

This final step shields against UV rays, mechanical styling, and environmental aggressors without film-forming silicones or waxes that weigh hair down.

recommending at-home care

Encourage your clients to use the K18 DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner to keep their hair looking and feeling healthy and smooth. Not only does it provide daily protection, but it’s beneficial to use in between mask days so their hair remains vibrant and easy to detangle.