Kérastase Premiere: Combat Calcium Overload for Luxurious Hair

TL;DR:

• Kérastase Première is designed for damaged hair affected by calcium buildup from hard water, plus the stress of repeated chemical services
• The key distinction: damaged hair absorbs excess calcium from water, which makes it stiff, dull, and resistant to repair. Première addresses the calcium buildup first
• Citric acid decalcifies the hair — Glycine (amino acid) repairs the fibre from within
• The routine works as a layered system: pre-shampoo treatment, shampoo, conditioner, mask, and finishing oil in sequence
• Relevant for Cape Town clients whose hair is repeatedly coloured, bleached, or heat-styled — especially in hard water areas

Most damaged hair ranges address the symptoms — dryness, dullness, breakage. Kérastase Première addresses a cause that most people don't know to look for: calcium overload. Here's how the range works and which products to use in sequence.

Meet the experts:
Royston and Warren at Cavendish Square — Judy, head trainer — Lewis, owner — Jackie at Gardens Centre — Debbie and Nikí at V&A Waterfront — Danny and Charlene at Canal Walk — Lynette, Samantha and Dominique at Constantia Village

01 — The Calcium Problem Most People Don't Know About

When hair is damaged — through bleaching, colouring, heat styling, or chemical services — its structure becomes more porous. Porous hair absorbs minerals from the water it's washed in far more readily than healthy hair. South Africa's water is often hard (high in calcium and magnesium), which means many clients in Cape Town are washing damaged, porous hair in mineral-rich water and accumulating calcium deposits in the hair shaft over time.

Calcium buildup makes hair feel stiff, look dull, and become resistant to conditioning. It physically blocks repair actives from penetrating the hair shaft — which is one reason some clients find their hair doesn't respond to treatment products as expected. Kérastase Première's decalcifying technology removes this buildup as the first step in the repair process.

"Calcium overload is something we see regularly in Cape Town clients with damaged hair," says Judy, head trainer. "The hair feels rough, looks flat, and doesn't respond to mask treatments the way it should. Once the calcium buildup is cleared, the same hair responds to conditioning and repair products dramatically better. It's not that the products weren't working — it's that the calcium was blocking them."

02 — The Key Actives

Citric acid — an organic acid that chelates (binds and removes) calcium deposits from the hair shaft. Works from the core to the surface, neutralising the stiffness and dullness that calcium buildup causes. Glycine — a key amino acid that penetrates the hair's inner layer to repair and rebuild the structural protein bonds damaged by chemical services and styling. These two actives work in sequence — citric acid removes the calcium, Glycine repairs the fibre that the calcium was degrading.

03 — The Première Products

Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur 250ml — Pre-Shampoo Treatment

The cornerstone of the system. Applied to wet hair before shampooing, left for five minutes without rinsing, then the shampoo is applied directly on top. The pre-shampoo position means it penetrates the hair shaft before cleansing opens the cuticle further. The transparent gel texture penetrates quickly. Shop Concentré Décalcifiant →

Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur 250ml — Shampoo

Sulphate-free shampoo that continues the decalcifying and repairing process during the cleansing step. Gently clarifies without stripping, enriched with citric acid and Glycine. Applied directly on top of the Concentré pre-shampoo treatment, worked into a lather, then rinsed. Shop Bain Décalcifiant →

Fondant Fluidité Réparateur 200ml — Conditioner

A lightweight jelly conditioner that restores moisture, fluidity, and elasticity to damaged hair. Applied mid-lengths to ends after shampooing, left for three to five minutes, rinsed. Specifically formulated to neutralise the rigidity that calcium buildup causes — hair regains its natural movement and suppleness. Shop Fondant Fluidité →

Masque Filler Réparateur 200ml — Weekly Mask

The intensive weekly treatment step. Rich creamy texture that soaks into the hair shaft to rebuild inner strength, reduce breakage, and maximise hair recovery after chemical processing. Applied after shampooing in place of conditioner, left for five minutes, rinsed. For clients whose hair is severely damaged, used twice a week. Shop Masque Filler Réparateur →

Huile Gloss Réparatrice 30ml — Finishing Oil

A concentrated leave-in oil that seals split ends, boosts strength, and delivers up to four times more shine. The finishing step of the system. One to two pipettes applied to damp or dry hair, focused on mid-lengths to ends. Shop Huile Gloss Réparatrice →

04 — How to Use the System: In Sequence

The power of Première comes from the layering approach. Each step builds on the last. Step 1: Apply Concentré Décalcifiant to wet hair. Massage through. Leave five minutes. Do not rinse. Step 2: Apply Bain Décalcifiant directly on top. Lather. Rinse thoroughly. Step 3: Apply Fondant Fluidité mid-lengths to ends. Leave three to five minutes. Rinse. Step 4 (twice weekly or as needed): Swap step 3 for Masque Filler Réparateur. Leave five minutes. Rinse. Step 5: Apply Huile Gloss Réparatrice to damp or dry hair to finish.

"The system is more effective than the individual products used in isolation," says Royston at Cavendish. "Each step leaves the hair in better condition to receive the next one. The Concentré decalcifies, which opens the hair to the shampoo's repair actives. The shampoo cleanses while continuing repair. The conditioner or mask builds on that. The oil seals it all in. That sequence is the point of the range."

05 — Who Première Is For

Hair that has been repeatedly coloured, bleached, or highlighted, and is feeling rough, dull, stiff, or resistant to conditioning. Hair in Cape Town's hard water conditions that is also colour-treated or damaged. Hair that feels like it's not responding to other treatment products. Hair that's porous and absorbs product quickly without visible benefit — which is often a sign of calcium blocking absorption.

06 — Première vs Other Repair Ranges

Kérastase Résistance focuses on weakened, breakage-prone lengths. Kérastase Première addresses damaged hair where calcium overload is an additional or primary factor. If your hair is weakened and brittle but you're on soft water and your main concern is structural weakness rather than calcium, Résistance may be more directly suited. If you're on hard water, repeatedly colour or bleach, and your hair is stiff and resistant to conditioning, Première addresses what the other ranges don't.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is calcium overload in hair?

Porous or damaged hair absorbs minerals from hard water during washing. Over time, this calcium accumulates in the hair shaft, making it feel stiff, look dull, and resist conditioning. Kérastase Première's decalcifying actives remove this buildup.

Is Cape Town water hard?

Water hardness varies across Cape Town and the Western Cape. Many areas have moderately hard water. Clients with damaged or porous hair who wash frequently can accumulate mineral deposits that affect their hair's condition and response to products.

How long before I see results from Kérastase Première?

Many clients notice softer, more fluid hair after the first use as calcium deposits are removed. Full repair results from consistent use over four to six weeks of weekly masking and the full routine.

Can I use Kérastase Première with other Kérastase ranges?

Yes — the Première system addresses the scalp and lengths during washing. On non-wash days or as a finishing step, Kérastase Elixir Ultime or Genesis serum can complement the routine without conflicting.

Where can I buy Kérastase Première in Cape Town?

Partners Hair stocks the full Kérastase Première range online and in our Cape Town salons. All products are authenticated and sourced from official South African distributors. Free delivery on orders over R390.

Shop the full Kérastase Première range at Partners Hair, or book a consultation at your nearest Cape Town salon. Free delivery on orders over R390.