I always thought Botox was just for your face — an injectable that was meant to give you the smooth, glass-skin look we see on celebrities — until I heard people were getting botox for their hair. I had to do a double take. Come again? Hair botox? Does that even exist?

Turns out, it absolutely does.

It has nothing to do with needles though. Instead, it’s a nourishing, restorative treatment that’s meant to give your hair a healthy, shiny, and smooth texture. 

For as long as I can remember, my hair has had a mind of its own. To begin with, it’s frizzy (something that the weather in Karachi does nothing to help with), with dry ends from years of being a thoughtless teenager with a straightener; full of split ends thanks to all that heat damage. My tried and tested solution has always been a blow-dry: it would finally do what I wanted it to do, which is tame itself. My hair would become perfectly straight – but the frizz? That would never go away. If anything, I knew that fresh blow-dry look was on a strict timer. It was never going to last as long as I wanted it to thanks to my hair’s natural texture. 

I’ve tried every serum, mask, and salon treatment that promised to give me ‘smooth, shiny, frizz-free’ hair — including the much-hyped Keratin treatment. But while Keratin did give my hair the sleek look it promised, it always left my hair a bit too flat, with no volume at the crown. I soon realized maybe these treatments weren’t for me — until I learned about hair botox, which intrigued me instantly.

Here’s a disclaimer for the faint at heart: there is no actual botox or needle involved — it’s just a deeply restorative formula packed with proteins, vitamins, and amino acids that ‘fill in’ damaged areas of your hair follicles. It’s almost like a collagen mask, but for your hair instead.

Why I Wanted It

People aren’t wrong when they say ‘hair is the outfit.’ My hair had been through a lot — between Karachi’s humidity and constant heat styling, it had lost its natural bounce and shine.

I’ve always loved that fresh, blow-dried, bouncy look, but my strands were starting to feel rough and dull. I wanted something that would heal my hair from within — not just make it look shiny for a few days.

The Process

After doing some research, I booked my appointment at Sanctuary Aesthetics and Wellness – I had a friend who worked there and it came highly recommended. From the moment I walked in, the experience felt personal — starting with a refreshing, perfectly foamed glass of matcha. 

My stylist took me to the wash station and began with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product build-up. Then, she sectioned my hair and applied the botox formula evenly from root to tip. The mask stayed on for about 45 minutes, and I caught up on TikTok.

Once it was washed off, she applied a neutralizer to lock everything in before finishing with a blow-dry. The entire process took around an hour and a half, but it didn’t feel like a typical chemical treatment — there was no harsh smell or discomfort. The staff was incredibly kind throughout, making the whole experience feel calm and relaxing.

The Results

The moment I ran my fingers through my hair, I knew this treatment was different — it felt incredibly soft and silky. What I loved most was that it didn’t take away my natural texture. Considering I have naturally thick hair, it still moved freely and had volume, just without the frizz. It looked the same as before, only healthier, shinier, and more alive. A week later, the results have held up beautifully. My hair air dries in half the time, my ends still feel nourished, and the frizz is almost gone. It looks effortlessly styled — natural, smooth, and noticeably silkier.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been hesitant about getting a keratin treatment, maybe worried it’ll make your hair too flat or take away your natural texture — you should definitely consider trying hair botox first instead. It’s the perfect middle ground for anyone who wants healthier, smoother, and shinier hair without committing to something too intense.