Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate: What It Does and How to Use It
Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) is Redken's repair range for hair that's been weakened by colour, lightening or heat. It pairs citric acid with Redken's Bonding Care Complex to strengthen weak strands and smooth the cuticle. If your hair snaps, tangles or feels rough after lightening, this is where to start.
What does Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate do?
Lightening and colour leave hair weaker and at a higher pH than it should be. Every ABC product is built on citric acid and Redken's Bonding Care Complex, which works to reinforce weakened bonds and bring hair back towards its natural acidic state. The shampoo is sulfate-free and colour-safe.
The range goes from everyday care (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in) to targeted treatment: an Intensive Pre-Treatment with the range's highest level of citric acid, a 5-minute Mask for strength plus moisture, a heat-protective Glass Liquid serum, and a pH Sealer that brings hair back to a pH of about 3.0 to 4.0 after a colour service.
Who is Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate for?
Lightened blondes, regular colour clients, and anyone whose hair has gone stretchy, rough or prone to snapping. It works on fine and thick hair, though fine hair should go easy on the mask.
If your hair isn't damaged and you just want shine, Acidic Color Gloss is the better fit. If your hair is curly or coily, look at Acidic Bonding Curls, which is made for curl patterns. If it's breaking but hasn't been coloured, Extreme may suit better.
How to use the Acidic Bonding Concentrate routine, in order
- Before you wash (when needed): Acidic Bonding Concentrate Treatment 150ml. Apply the Intensive Pre-Treatment to damp hair, leave it on, then wash as normal. Weekly for very damaged hair.
- Wash: Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 300ml. Sulfate-free, so it lathers less than you might be used to. Use a little more water rather than more product.
- Condition: Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner 11% 300ml. Mid-lengths to ends. Swap it for the Mask once a week.
- Weekly: Acidic Bonding Concentrate Mask 250ml. Five minutes on mid-lengths and ends, then rinse.
- Leave in: Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave in 150ml. Spray through towel-dried hair to detangle and protect.
- Finish: Acidic Bonding Concentrate Serum 100ml. A few drops of the Glass Liquid serum on damp or dry ends for shine and heat protection.
- After a colour service: Acidic Bonding Concentrate pH Sealer 250ml. The pH Sealer is sprayed on after colour or lightening to help seal the cuticle.
Which Acidic Bonding Concentrate product should you start with?
- Start here: shampoo and conditioner. Use them every wash for a month before judging.
- Very damaged or freshly lightened: add the Intensive Pre-Treatment once a week.
- Fine hair: shampoo, conditioner and the leave-in. Use the mask every second week.
- Thick, dry hair: shampoo, mask instead of conditioner, then the serum to finish.
- Going through a lot: the 500ml refills of shampoo and conditioner cost less per ml.
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Only what's in stock today is shown here. Genuine NZ salon stock, shipped from our Wānaka salon.
Free NZ shipping over $75.
Genuine Redken from a working salon. UKIYO is a hair salon on Helwick Street in Wānaka. Our stylists help clients choose their home care every day, and everything we sell online is genuine salon stock from the New Zealand distributor.
Free NZ shipping over $75. Not sure which range suits your hair? Call us on 03 443 1040.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate questions we get asked
Is Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate sulfate-free?
Yes. The shampoo is sulfate-free and colour-safe.
Does Acidic Bonding Concentrate work on blonde hair?
Yes. Lightened blondes are who it's mostly made for. If you also get brassy, use Color Extend Blondage once a week alongside it.
Do I need the pre-treatment?
Not always. Use it weekly if your hair is badly damaged or freshly lightened. If your hair is in reasonable shape, shampoo and conditioner are enough.
How is it different from Redken Extreme?
ABC is built on citric acid and bonding care for hair damaged by colour and lightening. Extreme uses a protein strength complex for weak, breaking hair. Coloured and lightened hair usually does better on ABC.
Can I use it on curly hair?
Yes, but Acidic Bonding Curls is made for curl patterns and is silicone-free, so most curly clients prefer it.
