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

Hair botox is an intensive treatment designed to repair, hydrate and revitalise the hair fibre. Contrary to what its name might suggest, it does not contain botulinum toxin and does not involve needles, but derives its name from its "rejuvenating" effect on the hair. Hair botox aims to smooth the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair fibre, and to restore its cohesion, resulting in shinier, healthier hair. This treatment is typically formulated from an active complex and often contains keratin, naturally found in hair, amino acids, vitamins (notably biotin and the vitamin E), some silk proteins and hyaluronic acid.

Fibre structure and hair botox: at which level does it act?

Hair botox acts mainly on the cuticle and cortex of the hair fibre. The cuticle, comprising interlocking keratinised cells like roof tiles, forms a protective barrier regulating water and nutrient exchanges. When this structure is damaged—by heat, colouring or mechanical stress—the fibre loses cohesion, becoming dull and brittle. The active agents in hair botox aim to attach to these porous areas, reinforce weakened disulfide bonds and smooth the surface to restore light reflection. The treatment thus functions as a temporary filler, improving the hair’s appearance and structure without altering its natural shape.

Often wrongly equated with a Brazilian straightening, hair botox does not, however, aim to modify the structure of the hair fibres. Its purpose is instead to restore their integrity and impart suppleness. By filling in the micro-fissures in the cuticle, hair botox nonetheless achieves a visually smoother, more uniform result. This treatment enhances the hair’s ability to reflect light, giving a glossier, more disciplined appearance. Hair botox also reduces frizz and improves softness to the touch, particularly on damaged or porous hair.

To answer the question "What is hair botox for?" briefly, it is a comprehensive restorative treatment designed to restore vitality and resilience to hair.

By providing a blend of amino acids, proteins and vitamins, it strengthens cohesion between the cuticle scales and enhances the hair’s mechanical resilience. Many users also report less breakage and improved heat resistance, which can indirectly help reduce hair loss associated with fibre weakening. However, hair botox is not a treatment intended to decrease hair shedding or to treat alopecia. It can simply help to preserve the length and density of hair fibres by reducing breakage.

Note: Contrary to certain widespread misconceptions, hair botox neither lightens hair nor stimulates hair growth. This confusion arises from the fact that botulinum toxin injections – which are unrelated to the salon hair treatment – are sometimes used in dermatology to treat certain forms of alopecia.

Before any hair botox session, a hair diagnosis is essential to evaluate the condition of the fibres and determine the most suitable formulation. This preliminary step also clarifies the client’s expectations, as the duration of a hair botox treatment and its ultimate outcome can vary according to hair type (dry, curly, coloured or sensitised). The professional will select the most appropriate composition from the various active ingredients found in hair botox.

The treatment begins with a deep cleanse using a shampoo designed to remove all impurities and gently open the cuticles. The treatment is then applied strand by strand to clean, damp hair using a brush, in precisely the same manner as a hair colour. 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 dried and can be styled with a blow-dry. The hair is immediately more supple and glossy after a hair botox session.

Once the hair botox treatment is complete, it is advisable to wait 24 to 48 hours before undergoing another wash, ideally with a sulphate-free shampoo to preserve the effects of the treatment. The duration of hair botox is generally 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 sufficient time to regenerate naturally.

Capillary botox is a treatment suitable for all hair types, whether they are fine, dry, wavy, frizzy or coily. Capillary botox helps fine hair regain density and volume without weighing it down, while it fills micro-fissures in hair damaged by colouring, straightening or thermal stress. Capillary botox is also ideal for curly, frizzy or coily hair, which tends to be more porous and prone to dryness. For dry hair, capillary botox provides intense hydration and restores suppleness.

Note: Unlike certain misconceptions, hair botox is also suitable for men, whether they have short or long hair.

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

Contrary to certain widespread misconceptions, hair botox does not damage the hair, as it does not rely on harsh procedures such as chemical straightening or bleaching. It works primarily by nourishing and repairing the hair fibre with active ingredients like keratin and hyaluronic acid, which enhance texture, shine and suppleness. However, if you have just coloured your hair, it is generally recommended to wait one week before scheduling a hair botox session.

Furthermore, hair botox is not recommended for pregnant women. Even though the treatment is non-invasive and does not damage the hair, pregnancy entails heightened sensitivity to chemical substances. Certain hair botox products may contain compounds such as formaldehyde or other aldehydes, the inhalation of whose vapours, particularly when heat is used during application, can cause irritation, allergic reactions or respiratory problems.

Furthermore, exposure to formaldehyde during pregnancy may pose an additional risk to foetal development, increasing the probability of malformations or obstetric complications. Even without formaldehyde, other chemical ingredients present in certain hair-Botox products can provoke skin reactions, as the immune system is more sensitive at this time. Therefore, for a pregnant woman, it is advisable to postpone hair-botox treatments 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).