Hair Botox Vs. Keratin Treatment: Which One Is Better?

While researching ways to restore or straighten your hair, you’ll most likely find articles explaining hair botox vs. keratin treatments.

Though both methods give you smooth, straight, and frizz-free hair, the slight differences between them make them a better-suited option for different hair types.

Let’s take a look at the differences between hair botox and keratin treatments to find out which one is better for your hair type.

What Is Hair Botox?

Hair botox is a treatment that can improve brittle hair by filling out thin hair and making it smoother.  It’s a deep conditioning treatment that can also repair damaged hair.

Traditional botox is an injectable drug made from botulinum toxin type A, the neurotoxin that combats wrinkles and migraines. Hair botox does not have this toxin and instead uses ceramides, vitamins, and oils.

Let’s look at the active ingredients to understand how they affect your hair.

• Caviar Oil – This ingredient contains antioxidants and protein that strengthen hair follicles by protecting against continuous collagen and elastin breakdown.
• Vitamin B5 – This ingredient retains moisture in your hair and smooths the cuticles of hair  strands. It also prevents dryness around your scalp.
• Vitamin E – This ingredient has a similar effect to antioxidants on the hair. It helps maintain hair growth and reduces oxidative stress which leads to cellular damage.
• Collagen Complex – This ingredient contains amino acids that build protein and strengthen your hair roots. In turn, it can prevent hair follicle damage and result in healthy growth.

How Do Botox and Keratin Treatment Work on Hair?

Hair botox and keratin treatments are both applied to your hair topically. Both treatments are made with different ingredients that will help strengthen and rebuild your hair to a healthy state.

How Botox Works on Hair

Hair botox is made of caviar oil, vitamin B5, vitamin E, and collagen complex to strengthen your hair. Here’s what you can expect when you get a hair botox treatment:

• Step One – Your hair is shampooed to open the cuticles and prepare for deep conditioning.
• Step Two – The hair botox is applied to your hair by massaging the product from root to tip.
• Step Three – The treatment must sit on your hair for 20 to 90 minutes to allow your hair to absorb the vitamins.
• Step Four – Depending on your stylist, the treatment is rinsed out before drying and straightening, or left in your hair. Both methods have similar results.

How Keratin Works on Hair

Keratin treatments are made of one primary ingredient – keratin. It smooths down the cells in your hair strands to prevent frizz, and your hair absorbs the keratin resulting in thicker and glossier hair. Keratin can also make your hair easier to style and look straighter.

You can apply keratin to your hair in a variety of ways.

The first and most effective method is a salon keratin treatment, also known as the Brazilian keratin treatment. A salon-grade keratin treatment is said to last 12 weeks, which is the most prolonged time frame compared to all keratin treatment applications. This method of keratin treatment is comprised of several steps:  

• Step One – A formaldehyde cream is applied to smooth and straighten your hair.
• Step Two – Your hair is blow-dried and straightened.
• Step Three – The keratin treatment is applied to your hair.
• Step Four – You must wait several days before returning to the salon for the treatment to be rinsed out. You cannot get your hair wet during this time.
• Step Five – You return to the salon to wash out the chemicals, and another treatment is applied to lock in the results.

The second keratin treatment method is through serums, shampoos, and conditioners. While these products won’t give you the same results as a salon-grade treatment, they can still strengthen and repair your hair from heat damage and hair dye.

The third method is to use keratin supplements. This method is not a topical treatment – keratin supplements are available in powder and capsule forms for ingestion. It is said that adding supplements to your diet can increase the protein in your hair follicles, making your hair thicker and stronger.

What’s The Key Difference Between Hair Botox and Keratin Treatment?

The main difference between hair botox and keratin treatment is the ingredients used for each method.

Hair botox uses natural ingredients to repair damaged hair, resulting in smooth and frizz-free hair. Keratin treatments use the chemical formaldehyde to smooth and straighten hair.

Hair Botox Vs. Keratin Treatment

Below are the other differences between these two hair treatments.

Hair Type

Hair botox is primarily used on people with frizzy, damaged or dry hair. Its primary goal is to give you smooth and glossy hair.

Keratin treatments are for people with thick and curly hair who want it to be straightened without heat damage. This treatment also reduces frizz, a common side effect of straightening hair with an iron.

Cost

Hair botox typically costs less than keratin treatments.

The average cost of a hair botox session at a salon is between $150 and $300.

Keratin treatments typically cost between $300 and $800 due to the multiple salon sessions and chemical treatments.

DIY keratin treatments are less expensive, but the results are compromised and not as efficient as a professional treatment.

Durability

Depending on how you take care of your hair, hair botox and keratin treatments can last for several months. Botox treatments last between 2 and 4 months on average. 

When taken care of properly, keratin treatments can last up to 6 months! DIY keratin treatments typically begin to fade after a month.

Side Effects

Hair botox has very few side effects. The most poignant side effect is that your hair might appear greasy for a few days after the treatment. Your hair is still in the process of absorbing the vitamins and antioxidants, leaving it looking slightly greasy.

Surprisingly, washing your hair less often will combat this greasiness. You can also use dry shampoo between washes.

Unfortunately, keratin treatments can have some significant side effects. The chemical used to straighten your hair, formaldehyde, is a known carcinogen.

This means the American Cancer Society has identified it as a chemical that may cause cancer or help it grow. The FDA also warns that formaldehyde in keratin treatments can lead to severe medical side effects such as:

• Irritated eyes (burning, itching, etc.)
• Burning sensations in the nose and throat
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Nausea
• Skin irritation

Keratin treatments should only be done three times a year. Frequent treatments may result in permanent damage to your hair. 

Maintenance

Hair botox is extremely simple to maintain. To keep the effects of the treatment longer, it’s recommended to use sulfate-free or low-sulfate shampoo. It’s also recommended to avoid washing your hair daily. Otherwise, the treatment could be washed away too soon.

Keratin treatments are a bit more challenging to maintain. To prevent your treatment from fading, it’s recommended to wash your hair when necessary (2 to 3 times per week).

Keeping your hair dry is essential in preserving your keratin treatment.

Avoid swimming in chlorinated or salt water, and use a sulfate and sodium chloride-free shampoo and conditioner.

Difference Between Hair Botox and Keratin Treatment at a Glance

	Hair Botox	Keratin Treatment
Hair Type	dry, damaged, or frizzy hair	thick and curly hair
Cost	$150 – $300	$300 – $800
Durability	Lasts 2-4 months	Lasts up to 6 months
Side Effects	Greasy hair in the first few days	Irritated eyes (burning, itching, etc.) Burning sensations in the nose and throat Coughing Wheezing Nausea Skin irritation
Maintenance	Use sulfate-free or low-sulfate shampoo Avoid washing your hair daily	Try to keep hair dry Wash hair only when necessaryAvoid swimming in chlorinated or salt waterUse mild shampoo and conditioner

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about hair botox vs. keratin treatments.

Hair botox and keratin treatment are both effective ways to straighten and gloss your hair. While keratin treatments provide long-lasting results, hair botox is less damaging to your body due to its natural ingredients. If you’re looking for ways to restore damaged hair, consider a hair botox treatment! 

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