Nanoplasty, K18, hair mask or hair spa — which do you need?
Salon menus name hair treatments after the product, not the problem. "Nanoplasty", "K18", "hair mask" and "hair spa" sit next to each other at wildly different prices, and nothing on the menu tells you which one your hair actually needs.
They do very different jobs. One changes how your hair behaves for months, one rebuilds damaged hair from the inside, one repairs a rough, dried-out surface, and one is a deep conditioning ritual for hair that's basically healthy. Booking the wrong one is an expensive way to be disappointed.
These four questions take about thirty seconds and will point you at the right one — along with how long it takes, when it's the wrong choice, and which salons near you actually offer it at their own price.
Step 1 of 5
What would you most like to change about your hair?
Pick the one that bothers you most day to day.
The four treatments at a glance
| Treatment | What it does | Time |
|---|---|---|
| K18 bond repair treatment | A short in-salon treatment that repairs the internal bonds in damaged hair, rather than coating it. | About 1 hour |
| Protein repair hair mask | A rich in-salon mask that rebuilds the outside of the hair — softness, shine and slip — for hair that's dry and rough but not breaking. | 30 – 45 minutes |
| Hair spa / nourishing treatment | A deep-conditioning and scalp treatment for hair that's healthy but dry, dull or a bit lifeless. | 45 – 60 minutes |
| Nanoplasty smoothing treatment | A semi-permanent smoothing treatment that reduces frizz and relaxes the curl pattern for several months. | 2 – 3 hours |
Common questions
What's the difference between a hair mask and K18?
A professional mask works on the outside of the hair: proteins and lipids fill and smooth a roughed-up cuticle, so hair feels soft and combs through again. K18 works on the inside, rebuilding the bonds that bleach and colour break. The quickest test is how your hair feels wet — rough and tangly is a cuticle problem a mask can fix, while stretchy or gummy is a bond problem that needs bond repair. A mask on genuinely broken hair feels great for a few washes and changes nothing.
What's the difference between nanoplasty and keratin treatment?
Both are smoothing treatments that reduce frizz and relax curl for several months. Nanoplasty is generally marketed as the gentler, formaldehyde-free alternative to traditional keratin smoothing, though formulas vary a lot between brands — ask your salon exactly which product they use and what's in it.
Can I get K18 and a smoothing treatment at the same time?
Sometimes, but the order matters and it depends on how damaged your hair is. Bond repair is often done first to strengthen hair before a chemical smoothing service. This is exactly the kind of thing to ask your stylist rather than book blind.
How long does a hair spa treatment last?
A hair spa is conditioning rather than structural, so the effect is temporary — typically a few washes. It's best treated as regular maintenance every four to six weeks rather than a one-off fix.
Is nanoplasty safe for bleached hair?
It depends on the state of the hair, not just the bleach. Bleached hair that is still strong and healthy can often be treated, preferably with a product approved for chemically treated hair. Dry or porous hair should have a strand test first. Hair that is elastic, gummy or breaking should be repaired and allowed to recover before any smoothing treatment. And very recently bleached hair is best given time rather than having two major chemical treatments close together.
This guide is general information to help you ask better questions, not professional or medical advice. Your stylist should always confirm what suits your hair in person — and if you have a scalp condition, allergies, or any concern about a chemical treatment, ask for a patch test before you book.