Is "Hair Botox" the Secret to Transforming Damaged Strands? Experts Weigh In

Is there anything Botox can't do? Every passing day seems to bring with it news of a novel way to utilize the well-known injectable—treatments that stretch far beyond the bread-and-butter use of injecting botulinum toxin into muscles to relax wrinkles. Hearing the name "hair botox" should raise a brow but with things like PRP injections for hair loss already making waves, we wouldn't blame you if you barely batted an eye. The unbothered attitude can't contend with our natural curiosity toward all things beauty-related, however. So, why would hair need Botox? As it turns out, it doesn't. The name only makes playful use of the injectable's uncanny ability to smooth skin. In reality, "hair botox" is a deep-conditioning hair treatment that claims to produce hair so silky smooth it rivals the effect of Botox on the skin.

To learn all about this hair service, and deep-conditioning treatments, in general, we turned to cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, as well as trichologist David Adams, and hairstylist, Paul Labrecque. Keep reading for all the benefits of hair botox.

What Is Hair Botox

"Despite having 'Botox' in its name, there actually is no Botox (botulinum toxins) involved," explains Dr. Green. "Hair botox is a deep conditioning treatment that repairs the damaged and broken hair fibers, which can be a result of stress and heat on our strands."

Not to be confused with a keratin treatment, which is a chemical treatment that smooths hair and gets rid of frizz, hair botox is a non-chemical, deep-conditioning treatment that allows your hair to feel smoother and more hydrated. Dr. Green explains that many keratin treatments include the chemical formaldehyde, which is used to lock and freeze hair strands into a straight position, while hair botox feeds your hair natural ingredients.

Benefits of Hair Botox

There is no set list of ingredients that are required to be included in a treatment for it to be called "hair botox." Since the components often change depending on the brand of the product, it's hard to say exactly how the hair might benefit from one. With that said, Dr. Green and Labrecque point out a few things commonly found in a hair botox treatment: caviar oil, antioxidants, B5, vitamin E, and collagen complex. Here's how those ingredients can potentially benefit the hair:

• Fights free radicals: Caviar oil contains vitamins, which are important for fighting free-radical damage. As Adams explains it, free radicals are in the environment, and the body produces a natural antioxidant that fights the free radicals. But as the body ages, its defense mechanism gets less, and the free radicals start to attack the hair, which causes oxidative stress in aging hair (meaning it degrades or ages the hair). Hair botox contains antioxidants, B5, and vitamin E—all of which fight the free radicals.
• Repairs damaged hair: Collagen, one of the ingredients in hair botox, is protein, and Adams explains that protein is crucial for hair that’s dry, broken, brittle, or damaged through chemical processes and heat styling. Eating a well-balanced diet with protein would be most effective, but protein can also be applied to the strands through treatments and shampoo.
• Adds moisture: Hair needs moisture and hydration to stay healthy and breakage-free, and deep-conditioning treatments, like hair botox, are key for moisturizing strands and improving elasticity.
• Restores softness and shine: If your hair is looking dull, feeling rough, and in need of nourishing oils, Dr. Green says this deep-conditioning treatment can help restore softness and add shine.
• Smooths strands: Dr. Green adds that hair botox can transform even the most damaged head of hair into smooth, fuller strands with generally less frizz, thanks to oils that help seal the cuticle.

Hair Type Considerations

Dr. Green says unlike keratin treatments, which are best for thick, curly hair that's prone to frizz, hair botox is considered safe to use for any hair type and is particularly effective when addressing common hair concerns, like split ends, thinning hair, lack of volume, damaged hair, and dullness. Labrecque adds that while keratin treatments will actually straighten hair and remove frizz, hair botox is more so designed for those with healthier, thicker hair.

When speaking about deep-conditioning treatments more generally, Adams says everyone could use one. "Everybody needs a hair treatment, and every hair needs protein or moisture," Adams explains. "I have yet to meet the person who has perfect conditioned hair, whether they have natural hair or color-treated hair or chemically treated hair—everybody needs to look after the condition of their hair."

How to Use Hair Botox

Although hair botox is offered as an in-salon service, the deep-conditioning treatment can also be applied at home, depending on the product. As Dr. Green explains it, after washing and completely drying your hair, the deep-conditioning formula is then applied (either by yourself or by a hairstylist) to the length of the strands. After 30 minutes (or the amount of time specified on the product), the hair is rinsed and styled to reveal shinier, softer, and smoother strands.

The Cost

The price of a hair botox treatment varies depending on where you get it done, but generally speaking, a session costs anywhere between $100 to $300.

Aftercare

To reap the full hair-restoring benefits of hair botox, you'll need to avoid exposure to water and humidity for three days after treatment. That means no washing your hair or participating in any physical activity that results in sweat for 72 hours.

The Final Takeaway

While hair botox may not actually use any real Botox in the treatment, it does bring a host of natural, hair-nourishing ingredients to the table. Vitamins, antioxidants, and protein all come together to repair damage, fight oxidative stress, restore each hair strand, and replenish its natural luster and shine. Plus, anyone can benefit from this kind of treatment and there is virtually no downside, so unlike weighing your options of whether to get actual Botox, deciding hair botox shouldn't be as big of a decision to make.