Every time you wash your hair, metals such as copper can be deposited onto and within the hair fibre. Over time, this build-up can contribute to breakage, dullness and premature colour fade.
The L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox range is designed to target excess metal within the hair, helping protect colour, improve shine and reduce the risk of breakage.
From the pre-shampoo treatment to the finishing oil, here's how Metal Detox works, who it's for and where each product fits into your routine.
What Is L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox?
L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox is a professional haircare range designed to target excess metal build-up within the hair.
Metals such as copper can be deposited through regular washing, with porous, bleached, coloured or damaged hair particularly susceptible.
The range uses Glicoamine to help neutralise metal within the hair while supporting smoother, shinier and more protected lengths.
What Causes Metal Build-Up In Hair?
Metal particles can enter the hair through shower water when you wash it. Porous hair can absorb more water - and therefore more of the metal carried within it - which makes bleached, coloured and sensitised hair particularly vulnerable.
Signs You May Have Metal Build-Up In Your Hair
Not sure if metal build-up could be affecting your hair? Look out for:
- Dull or lacklustre hair
- Dryness or brittleness
- Rougher texture
- Increased tangling
- Breakage
- Faster colour fading
- Unwanted changes in colour or tone
These signs can have several causes, but if you live in a hard-water area or regularly colour or bleach your hair, metal build-up could be part of the problem.
How Does L'Oréal Metal Detox Work?
Metal Detox uses patented technology enriched with Glicoamine to help target and neutralise excess metal inside the hair fibre.
What Is Glicoamine?
Glicoamine is a chelating agent that can bind to metal particles and help neutralise their effects.
Its small molecular size allows it to work within the hair fibre, giving Metal Detox a more targeted approach to metal build-up than simply cleansing the surface of the hair.
Which L'Oréal Metal Detox Product Should You Use?
Metal Detox Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Best for: Porous, damaged, bleached or colour-treated hair
The Metal Detox Pre-Shampoo Treatment contains 2% Glicofiller to help reduce porosity and prepare the hair before cleansing.
Apply to wet hair and work through the lengths. Don't rinse - shampoo goes straight over the top.
Metal Detox Anti-Metal Cleansing Cream Shampoo
Best for: Coloured, bleached or balayage hair and anyone concerned about metal build-up
The Metal Detox Shampoo gently cleanses hair of particles deposited through water while helping protect against breakage and premature colour fade.
Use weekly, alternating with your everyday shampoo.
Metal Detox Anti-Metal Cleansing Cream Mask
Best for: Hair needing extra nourishment and colour protection
After shampooing, the Metal Detox Mask helps nourish the lengths while protecting against new metal deposits.
Apply through the mid-lengths and ends, leave for one minute and rinse.
Metal Detox Concentrated Oil
Best for: Frizz, dullness and heat-styled hair
The Metal Detox Concentrated Oil smooths, boosts shine and helps protect the hair from copper deposits, with heat protection up to 230°C.
Apply 1-2 pumps to towel-dried or dry hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
How To Use L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox
The full Metal Detox routine follows four simple steps.
Step 1: Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Apply the Pre-Shampoo Treatment to wet hair. Work through the lengths and do not rinse.
Step 2: Metal Detox Shampoo
Apply the Metal Detox Shampoo directly over the pre-shampoo treatment, massage into a lather and rinse.
Step 3: Metal Detox Mask
Apply the Metal Detox Mask through the mid-lengths and ends, leave for one minute and rinse.
Step 4: Metal Detox Concentrated Oil
Finish with 1-2 pumps of Metal Detox Concentrated Oil through towel-dried or dry lengths. Don't rinse.
Metal Detox Routine:
Pre-Shampoo Treatment → Shampoo → Mask → Concentrated Oil
How Often Should You Use L'Oréal Metal Detox?
You don't necessarily need every Metal Detox product every time you wash your hair.
Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Use as the first step of your Metal Detox wash routine.
Metal Detox Shampoo: Use around once a week, alternating with your usual shampoo.
Metal Detox Mask: Follow the Metal Detox Shampoo when your hair needs nourishment and protection.
Metal Detox Concentrated Oil: Use daily or whenever your hair needs extra smoothness, shine or heat protection.
Best Shampoo For Hard Water In The UK:
Searching for the best shampoo for hard water in the UK? Metal Detox is worth knowing about, particularly if your hair is coloured, bleached or prone to dullness and breakage.
Hard water contains dissolved minerals, while shower water can also carry metals such as copper. Metal Detox is specifically designed to target metal particles within the hair rather than simply removing general surface build-up.
The Metal Detox Shampoo uses Glicoamine to help neutralise metal within the hair fibre while keeping its formula colour-safe.
Just remember: Metal Detox treats the hair, not the water coming from your shower. It won't soften or filter your water.
Is Metal Detox Right For You?
Is Metal Detox Good For Blonde Or Highlighted Hair?
Yes. Metal Detox is particularly relevant for blonde, highlighted, balayage and bleached hair.
Bleaching can leave hair more porous, meaning it may absorb more water carrying metal particles. Metal build-up can then contribute to breakage, dullness, premature colour fade and unwanted tonal changes.
The Metal Detox Shampoo is colour-safe, so it can slot into a blonde or highlighted hair routine without being designed to strip your colour.
If you regularly bleach your hair, pairing the shampoo with the Pre-Shampoo Treatment and Mask gives more porous lengths additional care.
How Long Does Metal Detox Take To Work?
You don't need to wait weeks before Metal Detox starts working within your routine.
L'Oréal Professionnel reports benefits including increased shine and reduced breakage from the shampoo and mask after use, while the pre-shampoo treatment is designed to immediately target porosity before cleansing.
How quickly you notice a visible difference will depend on your starting hair condition, how much metal build-up is present and which products you use.
For ongoing colour protection and defence against metal deposits from regular washing, consistency matters more than a one-off detox.
Who Should Use L'Oréal Metal Detox?
Metal Detox isn't just for one hair type.
Coloured hair: Helps protect against premature colour fade and unwanted colour changes.
Blonde or bleached hair: A good fit for porous, sensitised lengths exposed to metals through washing.
Damaged hair: Helps tackle metal build-up while supporting smoother, stronger-looking lengths.
Natural hair: You can still use Metal Detox if you're concerned about dullness, breakage or metal exposure from your water.
Does Metal Detox Remove Hair Colour?
No. The Metal Detox Shampoo is colour-safe and is designed to help protect against premature colour fade rather than strip your colour.
Is Metal Detox A Clarifying Shampoo?
Not quite.
Traditional clarifying shampoos are generally designed to remove product, oil and surface build-up. Metal Detox is specifically formulated to target metal particles deposited through water.
If excess metal is your concern, Metal Detox offers a more targeted approach.
L'Oréal Metal Detox FAQs
Can You Use Metal Detox On Natural Hair?
Yes. Metal Detox is suitable for natural hair as well as coloured, damaged and bleached hair.
Can You Use Metal Detox With Other Haircare Products?
Yes. You don't need to switch your entire routine. The Metal Detox Shampoo can be used weekly alongside your usual everyday shampoo, while the oil can be added to your existing styling routine.
Does Metal Detox Help With Brassiness?
Metal Detox isn't a purple or toning shampoo, so its purpose isn't to directly neutralise yellow or orange tones. Instead, it targets metal build-up that can contribute to unwanted colour changes and dullness.
Do You Need The Whole Metal Detox Range?
Not necessarily. Choose products around your hair's needs. The shampoo is the core cleansing step, while the Pre-Shampoo Treatment, Mask and Oil offer additional care for porosity, nourishment, shine and protection.
Ready To Detox Your Haircare Routine?
Metal in your hair wasn't exactly on your beauty bingo card - but now you know what to do about it. From tackling dullness and breakage to helping keep colour looking fresher for longer, Metal Detox makes it easy to add targeted metal care into your routine.
Explore the L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox range at Justmylook and give your hair the smoothness, shine and protection it's been missing.
Color Wow: The Best Products and Which Ones Are Right for Your Hair
Read article