Hair botox: everything you need to know about this treatment.

Hair botox is an intensive treatment designed to repair, hydrate, and revitalize the hair fiber. Contrary to what its name might suggest, it does not contain any botulinum toxin and does not use needles, but its name stems from its "rejuvenating" effect on hair. Hair botox aims to smooth the cuticle, the hair fiber's outermost layer, and restore its cohesion, resulting in shinier, healthier hair. This treatment is generally formulated with a complex of active ingredients and often contains keratin, naturally present in hair, as well as amino acids and vitamins (notably biotin and vitamin E), as well as silk proteins and hyaluronic acid.

Fiber structure and hair botox: at what level does it act?

Hair Botox primarily acts on the hair’s cuticle and cortex. The cuticle, composed of interlocking keratinized cells like roof shingles, forms a protective barrier that regulates water and nutrient exchange. When this structure is compromised—by heat, coloring treatments, or mechanical stress—the fiber loses cohesion and becomes dull and brittle. The active ingredients in Hair Botox aim to bind to these porous areas, reinforce weakened disulfide bonds and smooth the surface to restore light reflection. The treatment thus functions as a filling agent, improving the hair’s appearance and structure without altering its natural shape.

Often mistakenly equated with a Brazilian smoothing treatment, hair botox does not aim to alter the hair fiber structure. Its goal is instead to restore their integrity and impart flexibility. By filling the microfissures in the cuticle, hair botox nonetheless produces a visually smoother, more uniform effect. This treatment enhances the hair’s light-reflecting capacity, resulting in shinier, more manageable locks. Hair botox also reduces frizz and improves softness to the touch, especially on damaged or porous hair.

To briefly answer the question "what is hair Botox for?", it is a comprehensive restorative treatment designed to restore vitality and strength to the hair.

By providing a blend of amino acids, proteins, and vitamins, it promotes cohesion among the cuticle scales and enhances the hair’s mechanical resilience. Many users also report decreased breakage and improved heat resistance, which can indirectly help limit hair loss caused by fiber weakening. However, hair botox is not a treatment designed to reduce hair shedding or to treat alopecia. It can simply help to preserve the length and density of hair fibers by reducing breakage events.

Note: Contrary to certain common misconceptions, hair botox does not lighten hair or stimulate its growth. This confusion arises from the fact that botulinum toxin injections – unrelated to the salon hair treatment – are sometimes used in dermatology to treat certain forms of alopecia.

Before any hair botox session, a hair analysis is essential to evaluate the condition of the fibers and determine the most suitable formula. This preliminary step also clarifies the client's expectations, as the duration of hair botox and the final result can vary depending on hair type (dry, curly, colored, or sensitized). The professional will select the most appropriate composition from the various active ingredients found in a hair botox treatment.

The treatment begins with a deep cleansing wash using a shampoo designed to remove all impurities and open the cuticles. The treatment is then applied strand by strand to clean, damp hair using a brush, in the same way as a hair color. The processing time for hair botox averages 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes under a heated hood to enhance the penetration of active ingredients into the hair shaft. After this step, the hair is blow-dried and can be styled. The hair is immediately more supple and shiny after a hair botox session.

Once the hair botox treatment is complete, it is advisable to wait 24 to 48 hours before your next wash, ideally using a sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the treatment’s effects. Hair botox typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks, depending on hair quality and at-home care. Regarding frequency, it is recommended to not exceed 3 to 4 sessions per year, to allow the hair time to regenerate naturally.

Hair botox is a treatment suitable for all hair types, whether fine, dry, curly, frizzy, or coily. Hair botox helps fine hair regain density and volume without weighing it down, while sealing fissures in hair fibers damaged by coloring, straightening, or heat exposure. It is also ideal for curly, frizzy, or coily hair, which are often more porous and prone to dryness. For dry hair, hair botox delivers intense hydration and restores suppleness.

Note: Contrary to some misconceptions, hair botox is also suitable for men, whether they have short or long hair.

Hair botox is considered a non-invasive and safe treatment.

Contrary to some common misconceptions, hair botox does not damage the hair, since it does not rely on harsh procedures like chemical relaxers or bleaching. It primarily works by nourishing and repairing the hair fiber with active ingredients such as keratin and hyaluronic acid, which improve hair texture, shine, and elasticity. However, if you’ve just colored your hair, it’s generally recommended to wait one week before scheduling a hair botox session.

Moreover, hair botox is not recommended for pregnant women. Although the treatment is non-invasive and does not damage the hair, pregnancy involves increased sensitivity to chemical substances. Some hair botox products may contain compounds such as formaldehyde or other aldehydes, and inhalation of their vapors—especially with the heat applied during the procedure—can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or respiratory issues.

Furthermore, exposure to formaldehyde during pregnancy can present an added risk to fetal development, raising the likelihood of birth defects or obstetric complications. Even in the absence of formaldehyde, other chemical ingredients in certain hair botox products can trigger skin reactions, since the immune system is more sensitive during this period. Therefore, for a pregnant woman, it is advisable to postpone hair botox treatment until after childbirth, in order to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

• FANUCCHI M. & al. Formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy. The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing (2015).

• SIONKOWSKA A. & al. The properties of hair covered by conditioners containing collagen, chitosan and hyaluronic acid. European Journal of Medical Technologies (2019).

• LI X. & al. A small dose of botulinum toxin A is effective for treating androgenetic alopecia in Chinese patients. Dermatologic Therapy (2019).

• WANG J. & al. Improving the mechanical properties of damaged hair using low-molecular weight hyaluronate. Molecules (2022).

• CHANG K. & al. Performance and mechanism of hydrolyzed keratin for hair photoaging prevention. Molecules (2025).