“Hair Botox” or Botox treatment for the hair is a misnomer since the term usually refers to a conditioning treatment that doesn’t involve the use of any Botox. You can think of it as a marketing buzzword. Still, it’s become hugely popular on social media, with many proudly sharing their before-and-after photos of sleek hair.

While there are some rave reviews about the treatment, there are others who are more vary of the exaggerated claims being made about it. But what is it actually, and who’s a good candidate for it?

What Is Botox Treatment For The Hair?

Hair Botox refers to a deep conditioning treatment that’s claimed to help repair damaged hair, strengthen it and make it smoother, softer, and shinier. It’s important to note that the Botox treatment for hair isn’t any standard product with a “fixed” formula. Instead, what goes into the treatment can vary between the salon/stylist you go to. Usually, you might hear the following being a part of the cocktail:

• Collagen complex
• Caviar oil
• Vitamin E and B5
• Hyaluronic acid
• Keratin
• Antioxidants

The benefits of this treatment (if any) can be attributed to the individual ingredients in its makeup. So, for instance, collagen is a protein and proteins are made from amino acids. One way in which collagen is believed to help is that it can provide hair with amino acids, which can then act as building blocks for keratin, which is what hair is mainly composed of.

Its antioxidant properties are also believed to help hair damage and greying caused by free radicals. For one, there’s not enough research on collagen for hair. Secondly, there’s no guarantee that applying collagen topically at the “treatment” dosage will get you results.

Caviar oil, on the other hand, has no research (to our knowledge) on its benefits for human hair. But because caviar has been reported to contain proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids, among other nutrients, which may, in turn, be thought to help with hair. Hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant is considered helpful for adding moisture and hydrating the hair.

Here, you should also know that while the conditioning treatment is what you’ll usually hear about, there’s also research on actual Botox being injected into the scalp to help with hair loss. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that Botulinum toxin is a “safe and effective” treatment for androgenetic alopecia. However, it’s an off-label treatment and you should consult a licensed and board-certified practitioner about it.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Hair Botox?

Generally, it’s believed that all hair types can benefit from hair botox, and as far as particular hair concerns go, it’s said to help with:

• Frizziness
• Split ends
• Roughness
• Dullness
• Dryness
• Brittleness

Some claim that Botox treatment for the hair can actually help straighten any curls as well, but it’s generally not considered to be the case. The softness, silkiness and hydration from the treatment might make the curls look less “curly,” but it’s not the same as a hair straightening keratin treatment.

In general, it may help rejuvenate your hair. But you should also talk to a professional about getting this treatment in a more balanced way. Too many protein treatments for hair are said to cause something known as a “protein overload,” which is thought to leave the hair dull, dry, and brittle instead.

How Is Hair Botox Done?

While you’ll more commonly hear about hair Botox being done at a salon, its at-home kits are also available since it’s essentially a conditioning treatment.

If you’re at a salon, your stylist might begin by shampooing your hair, after which the product may be applied from the roots to tips for 30 minutes or more (depends on the product; it could take an hour as well).

This may be followed by rinsing and blow-drying and straightening, or just the latter two without any rinsing. Depending on the needs of your hair, your stylist might also offer you a laser treatment to further boost the health of your hair. When all’s done, you should see the results immediately.

Keep in mind that even though it has Botox in the name, there are no Botox or injections/needles involved. Some salons might use a needle to just topically spread the product, but it’s not a treatment that requires injections into the scalp.

If you’re using an at-home product, make sure to read the instructions on its packaging for appropriate usage.

Hair Botox is claimed to last for anywhere from 2 to 6 months. However, again, it depends on the treatment you had, your hair and how you take care of it afterwards. In any case, it won’t give you permanent results.

This can be an important consideration if you’re planning to get multiple treatments to maintain the results. Depending on the condition of your hair, the salon you go to and the “Botox” cocktail itself, the cost of this hair Botox may vary between £100 to £400, so it’s not exactly cheap.

How To Take Care Of Your Hair After Botox Treatment?

Soon after your hair Botox, you may be advised to avoid washing/getting your hair wet (like going into the pool or possibly even exercising) for 2-3 days so that the treatment can really “set in.”

Additionally, when you do start washing, your stylist may recommend going for a gentler shampoo that doesn’t have any sulfates. Silk pillowcases may also be advised as they help the hair keep its moisture.

If you’re considering dyeing your hair, for that too, you may be asked to wait for a couple of weeks so that it doesn’t negatively impact the results of your hair Botox.

In any case, since there are so many variables in this treatment, you must ask your stylist for all the care instructions and how to make it last longer for you.

Is Hair Botox Good For Hair?

Botox treatment may be good for dry, dull and damaged hair. It can help rejuvenate it and make it softer and shinier. There are certainly many before-and-afters of people who’ve successfully had this treatment. However, you should make sure to do your research to find a good, well-reputed salon and make sure that you know what exactly is being applied to your scalp.

It’s possible for your Botox hair treatment to contain essential oils, and these oils can cause irritant contact dermatitis. That may potentially cause hair loss through something known as “telogen effluvium.” So, you need to be careful about what you’re putting on your scalp and hair.

Botox Treatment For Hair vs Keratin: Which Is Better?

Both keratin and Botox treatments for hair are intended for different purposes. Keratin treatment, also known as a Brazilian blowout, helps straighten and smoothen the hair and makes it less frizzy. It can also make your hair silkier and shinier.

Hair Botox, on the other hand, does not straighten the hair. At the end of the day, it’s simply a conditioning treatment that can help thin, damaged hair, but it may also make the hair shinier, silkier and stronger. The results of both may last for about the same time. It may be 3-6 months for keratin, while it’s claimed to be 2-6 months for hair Botox.

Although one key difference between Botox treatment for hair and keratin is that the latter contains formaldehyde, which is very controversial because it’s a “human carcinogen,” according to multiple agencies, as reported by the American Cancer Society. Still, as mentioned above, make sure to ask your stylist about all the ingredients in the hair Botox, along with their pros and cons.

Conclusion

Hair Botox may sound like the cosmetic injectable that most people are familiar with, but it’s definitely not the same. It’s not an injectable, and it doesn’t have any Botox. It’s only so-called because of the “smoothing” effect that it achieves for the hair (like the actual Botox does for the skin). It’s not something you get at a clinic either since it’s a conditioning treatment that’s offered by salons.

If you’re experiencing hair loss or have any other hair concerns, it’s best to talk to a medical professional about it first. Hair loss, for instance, can be caused by a plethora of reasons, and whether or not a treatment will work for you will depend on the underlying cause of alopecia. So, make sure to consult a qualified and experienced professional.

Reviewed and approved by Trichologist Yaprak Yazan

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