My mane’s so frizzy it’s snapped dozens of brushes – so I paid £390 for ‘hair Botox’ that promises a ‘mirror like shine’
DRAGGING a brush through my matted hair, I suddenly hear a loud snap.
“There goes another one,” I sigh, holding up the handle that’s now completely detached from the brush.
I’ve lost count of how many brushes I’ve broken trying to detangle my frizzy locks.
In a word, they look frazzled, and in most of my school photos I could be mistaken for Hagrid’s long-lost daughter.
Aged nine, I got my first pair of GHD straighteners and I never looked back. They were a revelation — and the answer to my sleek-hair prayers.
But after many years spent scalding my wet tresses on hot iron plates, the strands around my hairline started to break and recede.
In my mid-twenties, after I decided to ditch hair tools and give my mane the heat-free holiday it desperately needed, my frizz returned with a vengeance.
So when I was swiping through TikTok and came across a “life-changing” anti-frizz treatment, I quickly stopped my mindless scrolling.
Enter: Hair Botox.
No toxic nasties
For those with a needle phobia, don’t panic — it requires no prodding or pricking. Instead, the treatment is painted through hair, left for an hour to do its thing, then rinsed out.
The glass-like, silky results I saw influencers flaunting are why the hashtag #hairbotox has racked up 16.8million views and counting on the social media app.
But after many years spent scalding my wet tresses on hot iron plates, the strands around my hairline started to break and recede.
With “frizz” being searched more than ever, according to Google, I was keen to see whether this so-called miracle treatment could really prove the answer to my hair woes.
I’d already tried every smoothing cream and hydrating mask — and nothing did the trick.
But although my social media feed was filled with endless “before and after” videos of hair Botox, none of them explained what it actually was — so I turned to the experts.
“It contains nourishing ingredients like proteins and vitamins, but no botulinum toxin (aka, Botox),” I am told by trichologist [expert in hair and scalp woes] Hannah Gaboardi. “It’s a gentle, non-chemical deep-conditioning treatment that repairs and rejuvenates damaged hair, making it smoother, shinier and healthier-looking.”
So, the only Botox link is that it has the same smoothing effect on hair as the jabs have on the face.
But the lack of toxic nasties sets it apart from other popular treatments such as the Brazilian blowdry — which contains formaldehyde, a chemical that has been linked to cancer risks.
According to Hannah, it works by penetrating the hair shaft to fill in gaps and cracks in damaged tresses, sealing the cuticles and locking in moisture.
“This strengthens the hair, making strands less susceptible to frizz caused by humidity and environmental factors,” she says. Days later, I find myself at the plush ADEM salon in central London’s Belgravia.
For a £390 treatment — prices can go up to £600, depending on how Rapunzelesque your hair length is — I was promised stronger strands with a mirror-like shine for up to six months.
“It’s superior because it doesn’t affect your curl pattern and allows you to wear your natural waves, instead of just straightening,” my hairstylist Piera Maggio explains.
“I recommend it to clients with all hair types.”
Piera had tried the treatment herself and I’d never seen shinier hair, so I had high hopes.
But trichologist Hannah warns that the procedure can slightly loosen curls, which might not be desirable for those wanting to defrizz but remain curly. Still, the chance to rid my wavy hair of frizz made trying it a no-brainer.
I notice immediately, once applied, that it doesn’t burn my nostrils like some in-salon treatments such as chemical straightening.
In fact, Piera doesn’t even wear gloves while coating my hair with the miracle goo — which smells subtly of shea butter — with a hair dye brush.
For a £390 treatment — prices can go up to £600, depending on how Rapunzel-esque your hair length is — I was promised stronger strands with a mirror-like shine for up to six months
Thicker and healthier
It’s left to soak in for 45 minutes then rinsed — not washed — out.
My hair is then blow-dried and straightened with irons and I’m ready to go. I’m told I can even wash it that day if I wish.
Although pin-straight locks aren’t my usual go-to for my round face, I’ve never seen my hair quite so sleek, and the shine is undeniable. In true UK fashion, there’s a downpour as soon as I leave the salon and I’m pleased to report my strands didn’t frizz up as usual — a true testament to the power of hair Botox.
The one downside? Despite being told it wouldn’t affect my hair colour, I notice my shade is noticeably less vibrant and cherry- red afterwards, which means I’ll have to book a colour appointment earlier than planned.
But it does look thicker and healthier, even though my strands still required a bit of tugging from Piera after washing, to loosen some knots.
I worried the heavy treatment would leave my scalp feeling claggy and looking like an oil slick, but that wasn’t the case. However, I normally wash my hair twice a week, and now notice it doesn’t feel quite as fresh as it usually would on wash day.
Hannah warns that this could cause issues for some.
“It may not be ideal for very fine or thin hair, as it can weigh it down,” she explains. “It might also make oily hair appear greasier and is less beneficial for healthy, unprocessed hair.”
Thankfully, mine was dry as straw and in need of a spot of serious TLC.
My boyfriend even noticed how much healthier my strands looked, which says a lot
I’m told I can let my hair air-dry like usual, rather than using heat to maximise results, which is unlike many treatments that I’ve previously tried.
Aftercare-wise, it’s very low- maintenance — I just apply an indulgent mask once a week, such as TRESemme Lamellar Shine Mask, £8 from Boots.
“The more moisturised the hair is, the longer the results last,” says Piera.
My boyfriend even noticed how much healthier my strands looked, which says a lot.
Do I have the spare cash to spend a sizable chunk of what I pay in rent just on my hair, up to three times a year? No.
Besides, I’d come to miss my frizziness, in all its scraggly glory, once it was gone.
But I would splash out on this treatment if I ever went on holiday in a humid climate, or have it as a summertime treat to prevent any hair-frizz emergencies.
As well as keeping my hair in tip-top shape, it will save me a fortune in hairbrushes.
CUT COST OF SILKY LOCKS
SALON prices too steep? These products will tame your tresses for a lot less…
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Bond Repair Leave-In Serum, £15.99: The more brittle your hair, the more likely you are to suffer from frizz.
This damage-repairing bond-builder uses a nourishing blend of peptides to treat hair from the inside out.
Expect stronger, glossy strands after just a few uses.
Umberto Giannini Blow Out frizz styling cream, £9.95: Protects hair from frizz-causing heat damage up to 230C.
And hydrates strands without weighing them down, so your hair won’t look limp and lifeless.
Fable & Mane HoliRoots hair oil, £15: Hands down my favourite hair oil of all time.
This not only smells good enough to eat, but can also be used to smooth flyaways on dry hair or as a pre-wash oiling treatment to really get down to business.
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, £27: Approved by popstar Rihanna, this spritz is ultra lightweight and provides a raincoat effect to strands that will keep moisture out as well as smoothness locked in.
Cecred hydrating shampoo, £28: This silicone-free hyaluronic acid-packed shampoo from Beyonce is the only wash I’ve used that tamed my frazzled locks this summer.
It gives scalps a refresh, without stripping moisture from ends.