Ah, Botox, your beauty. Will you ever cease to amaze?
Botox has long been known to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and to treat conditions such as dystonia, hyperhidrosis, overactive bladder, chronic migraines, and even lazy eyes.
But that’s not all Botox is used for. If you’ve recently visited website ratings and reviews, you’ll no doubt have come across numerous posts adulating the latest trend in the world of hair: Botox.
Does Botox for hair really work? And if so, HOW does it work? Are there any risks associated with it?
If you’re looking for the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.
What is Botox for Hair?
Before we dive into the specifics of using Botox for hair, it’s important to understand what it is. You might be surprised to hear that Botox for hair doesn’t even contain Botox’s main ingredient, botulinum toxin, but instead contains a whole load of collagen.
It’s marketed as Botox only because it works in the same way.
Injecting Botox into the face to reduce wrinkles, essentially relaxes the muscles found under the wrinkles which result in smoother looking skin. Botox for hair relaxes the muscles of the scalp and fills individual hair fibers up, resulting in it smoother, fuller hair.
How Does Botox for Hair Work?
There isn’t much in the way of scientific findings to back up the efficacy of Botox for hair. But those who’ve used Botox for hair often sing its praises and will almost always encourage others to give it a try & see for themselves.
Botox for hair products are usually promoted to people who have:
– Dry, damaged, hair
– A problem with split ends
– Extremely fine hair
– Bleached, dyed or highlighted hair
– Hair that lacks volume
– Very damaged hair
– Hair that is prone to frizzing
– And hair that is regularly straightened or curled
Unlike Botox, no needles are involved in administering this hair treatment. Instead, the process consists of deeply conditioning the hair right at its roots. The process can be done at home with Botox for hair kits, but I recommend heading over to your local salon instead. Head massage, anyone?
Here’s an overview of how the process of using Botox for hair works:
– A thorough shampooing is performed to get rid of any organic substances on the scalp, to open the hair cuticles, and to get the hair strands ready for conditioning.
– Just like when you wash your hair at home after shampooing comes conditioning. The Botox for hair is applied directly onto the hair and covers each strand from its roots to its tips.
– Depending on the condition of your hair, the Botox is left on the hair for a period of 20 to 90 minutes in order to properly penetrate the hair strands.
– Once the Botox has fully settled, the hair is immediately dried. Some hairdressers choose to first rinse the treatment out of the hair before drying, but the general thinking is that the longer the Botox sits on the hair, the better the results will be.
– The moment that the hair is dry, the results of the Botox is immediately evident. Hair will appear full, smooth, and shiny.
– The results of the Botox for hair will last up to four months and possibly even longer if a sulfate-free shampoo is used when washing hair.
Is Botox for Hair Safe?
Provided you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients found in Botox for hair, and it is generally considered completely safe to use. But because it is such intense treatment, hairdressers won’t perform a Botox for hair treatment more than three or four times per year.
Excessive usage of Botox for hair could have some pretty dire consequences. These consequences include thinning of the hair, breakage of the hair, and an overall dullness due to the scalp not secreting natural oils on its own.
If you have any hair concerns that you’re worried about, chat with your health practitioner or dermatologist before trying Botox for hair for yourself.
What are the Pros and Cons of using Botox for Hair?
Are you still on the fence about trying Botox for hair? Weigh up the pros and cons like I’ve done below to help make your decision.
Pros of Botox for Hair
– Hair is left feeling full, smooth and soft
– Botox for hair formulas are overflowing with ingredients that are beneficial for hair
– Could possibly lead to faster hair growth
– No harsh chemicals are in Botox for hair formulas unlike those in Keratin treatments
– No needles or injections involved, it’s completely un-invasive
Cons of Botox for Hair
– Not scientifically proven to work
– The results will only last for a couple of months
– Hair can be damaged when the treatment is used too often
– Like anything with the word ‘Botox’ in it, Botox for hair is expensive
Conclusion
And there you have it: everything you need to know about Botox for hair. Will you be trying this trend out for yourself, or will you be waiting for some science stats to back up the product claims?