Everything people ask us about the Lipid Complex treatment — how often to use it, how to apply it, and what it actually does that a conditioner cannot. If you want the background on hair lipids themselves, start with what hair lipids are and why your hair needs them.
What is the Lipid Complex treatment?
Lipid Complex is a two-phase lipid treatment for damaged hair, made in Italy and developed by master colorist Tomy B. in his own salon. It comes as two sachets — Phase 1 (Protect & Restore Hydration) and Phase 2 (Sealing Nourishing) — and it puts lipids back into hair that colouring, heat and time have stripped out. It is the same treatment used on the chair at Tomy B. Salon, in a form you can use at home.
How often should I use it?
Once a month. This is a restorative treatment, not a daily conditioner, and using it more often will not give you a better result. One box therefore lasts a long time. Between treatments, the Tomy B. Hydration Shampoo, Conditioner and Miracle Serum are the products designed for everyday use.
How do I apply it?
Shampoo first with Tomy B. Hydration Shampoo — and do not use conditioner. Conditioner coats the hair and stops Phase 1 from reaching the cuticle, so it works against the treatment. Leave the hair wet. Open the corner of the Phase 1 sachet and pour it straight onto the hair, working down the lengths — do not pour it into your palm first, because Phase 1 is almost as thin as water and will run through your fingers. Leave it for 10 minutes and do not rinse. Pour Phase 2 directly over the top, leave for another 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
How long does the treatment take?
Twenty minutes in total — 10 minutes for Phase 1 and 10 minutes for Phase 2, with no rinsing in between.
Does Lipid Complex contain collagen?
No. Lipid Complex replaces lipids only — the fatty acids and ceramides that hold the hair's cuticle together. Collagen Infusing is a separate treatment offered in the salon. The two are often confused, but they do different jobs and are not the same product.
How is this different from a deep conditioner or hair mask?
A conditioner coats the outside of the hair and washes away. A lipid treatment replaces what the hair has actually lost. Colour, bleach and heat strip the lipids out of the cuticle and cell membrane complex, and once they are gone, no amount of conditioner puts them back — it can only sit on top. Phase 1 restores the lipids; Phase 2 seals them in.
Can I use it on colour-treated hair?
Yes. Colour-treated hair is exactly what it was built for. Tomy developed it for his own colour clients, whose hair loses lipids every time it is lightened or coloured. It is also suited to dry, heat-damaged and over-processed hair.
What should I use between treatments?
The Tomy B. Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner for washing, and the Miracle Serum on the lengths. Those are the everyday products; Lipid Complex is the monthly reset. The one exception is treatment day itself — shampoo only that day, and skip the conditioner before you apply Phase 1.
Can I subscribe so it arrives automatically?
Yes. The treatment can be bought once, or on a subscription that delivers it on a repeating schedule, including a three-month prepay option. Current pricing and options are shown on the product page.
