Botox for Hair: Benefits, Side Effects, and More

It’s easy to look at hair on Instagram, in magazines, and ads for hair products and think… okay, how can my hair look like that?  

The good news is there are lots of products and hair treatments out there, but the bad news is that there are so many options it’s hard to figure out what really works and what is more hype than results. 

One option that’s marketed for smoother hair is Botox® for hair. If you are interested in seeing if this is a good option for you, learn more about the basics ahead! 

What Is Botox for Hair? 

Botox for hair is not the typical Botox we hear of… no needles needed here! In fact, hair Botox doesn’t even have the chemical botulinum toxin that a skin injection treatment has. 

Botox for hair instead is a combination of ingredients (often some blend of collagen, caviar oil, vitamins, etc.) that varies depending on the brand you get. 

You can get the treatment done in a hair salon or purchase an at-home version. 

How Does Botox for Hair Work? 

One potential reason Botox for hair is called “hair Botox” is that it works as a filler in hair, just as a Botox injection would “fill in” skin. 

Botox for hair is a deep conditioning treatment. Deep conditioning treatments typically work by adding moisture to hair strands to repair hair breakage and damage.  

After the treatment is put on your wet hair and dries, it’s meant to create smoother healthier hair! 

What Are the Benefits of Botox For Hair? 

Because Botox for hair works as a deep conditioner, it can be helpful for those that need extra moisture or repair. 

Although ingredients in Botox for hair vary in the products, many of the common ingredients help create the foundation for hair repair.

Caviar oil, an extract from caviar which is unfertilized fish eggs, is a popular hair Botox ingredient. 

It’s rich in omega 3 vitamins and proteins, and some research suggests that caviar oil’s properties help enrich hair. 

Many Botox for hair treatments also list plenty of natural vitamins and minerals as ingredients, too. 

Popularly, B vitamins, vitamins A, C and D and minerals are all related to having healthy hair, and are generally found in hair Botox treatments.

Although the use of vitamins topically or through supplements has yet to be thoroughly researched, many stylists, celebrities and other folks have found it to be helpful for growth and healthy hair. 

Given this blend of ingredients and its deep conditioning qualities, Botox for hair could be used to help with issues like:

• Frizziness

• Split ends

• Damaged hair 

• Fine hair 

However, unlike some other hair treatments, hair Botox treatments sometimes state that any hair type can benefit. 

What Are the Disadvantages? 

Because it’s a relatively new treatment, broader use cases and results aren’t really known. Also, each brand may have slightly different ingredients, so that results may vary based on which brand you use. 

Another thing to consider is that the treatment may be short-lived if you are looking for longer-term solutions to prevent brittle hair. 

In general, if you are looking to thicken hair, there may be better options. 

What Are the Side Effects? 

Because botox for hair is a new treatment, there are not any specific studies or well-known research on the side effects and efficacy. 

However some commonly reported ones by anecdotal blogs or on product sites include, 

• Can have the opposite effect, and make you less voluminous and frizzy. 

• A risk of allergic reaction or skin irritation. 

• If your hair is dyed it could potentially change the tone.

• Some stylist won’t let you dye your hair after the treatment. 

You may want to ask your stylist their opinions and experience with hair botox and its side effects if you are interested in learning more. 

What’s the Difference Between Keratin & Botox? 

Botox treatment and Keratin treatment are easily confused, as they both are meant to smoothen and soften hair. However, the key ingredients in the two are what separates them. 

Keratin is a chemical treatment that sometimes contains formaldehyde, a chemical that some researchers believe to be unsafe. Keratin (often referred to as a Brazilian blowout) straightens and smooths curly hair. 

Unlike Botox for hair, Keratin treatments are almost always done by a professional hairstylist. 

How Long Does Botox for Hair Last? 

The exact timing will depend on the person. However, most treatments and brands suggest they are effective for two to four months. 

How Much Does Botox for Hair Cost? 

Cost also ranges depending on if you decide to go with an at-home kit or take a trip to the hair salon, but hair Botox services can be priced anywhere to under $100 to several hundred dollars.

One thing to note about at-home options is that they are cheaper. However, some stylists believe that the treatment is safer and more effective when done by a professional. 

The Final Word on Botox for Hair

Hair Botox isn’t really Botox. It doesn’t use the same chemicals, the procedures don’t mimic one another, they don’t serve the same purpose, etc. Hair Botox is called hair Botox because some people believe it’s a way to take years off your hair the same way Botox is purported to take years off your skin.

While hair Botox ingredients differ from kit to kit and salon to salon, many use similar ingredients (like caviar oil) and vitamins and minerals that are essential to hair health. 

It’s also a newer treatment, which means it hasn’t been thoroughly researched by the scientific community.

However, that’s not to say it might not be worth the money if it’s something you’re interested in trying. 

As always, if you’re thinking about giving something like hair Botox a spin, the best thing to do is contact your healthcare provider to learn more about it.

If you’re looking for other hair loss products that are safe, well-researched and come with the science to back it up, it’s worth looking into other hair-healthy options like thickening shampoos and thickening conditioners and serums.