Frizzy, dry or dull hair? At a Brazilian salon, two names come up almost straight away: keratin and hair botox. Both treatments come from Brazil and both leave your hair softer and shinier. Yet they do quite different jobs. Below you’ll find what each one does, who it suits and how to choose.
The difference in one sentence
Keratin makes your hair smoother and less frizzy; hair botox repairs and nourishes it without changing its structure. If you’re after smoothness and less time with the hairdryer, keratin is usually the better fit. If you’d rather keep your natural waves or curls, just healthier and softer, hair botox is the obvious choice.
What is a keratin treatment?
Keratin is the protein your hair is mostly made of. In a keratin treatment, it is worked deep into the hair fibre and sealed in with heat. Afterwards your hair feels softer, frizzes far less and is much easier to blow-dry. It holds its shape better in rain and damp weather, too.
There are two versions:
- Classic keratin takes 2.5 to 4 hours and lasts the longest: 3 to 5 months. Afterwards your hair needs 72 hours of rest: no washing, no tying it up and no hair clips.
- Brazilian Blowout is a lighter, quicker version of 1.5 to 2 hours. The effect lasts 6 to 12 weeks and you can wash your hair the same day.
Keratin makes curls and waves softer and more manageable, but it doesn’t straighten them for good. Over time your natural curl gradually returns.
What is hair botox?
Hair botox, botox capilar in Brazil, has nothing to do with injections and contains no actual botox; the name refers to its rejuvenating effect. It’s an intensive repair treatment with a blend that includes keratin, collagen and nourishing oils. Damaged areas of the hair fibre are filled in, so your hair becomes supple, strong and glossy again.
The key difference from keratin: hair botox doesn’t smooth. Your natural wave or curl stays, but feels softer and frizzes less. The treatment takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours and the effect lasts 1 to 3 months.
Keratin and hair botox side by side
| Keratin | Hair botox | |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Smoother hair, less frizz | Repair, nourishment and shine |
| Hair structure | Temporarily smoother | Stays as it is |
| Treatment time | 2.5–4 hours (Brazilian Blowout 1.5–2 hours) | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| How long it lasts | 3–5 months (Brazilian Blowout 6–12 weeks) | 1–3 months |
| Aftercare | Classic: no washing or tying up for 72 hours; then a sulphate-free shampoo | Sulphate-free shampoo and a good conditioner |
Which treatment suits your hair?
Choose keratin if you…
- struggle with frizz, especially in damp weather;
- spend a lot of time blow-drying and styling every day;
- want wavy or curly hair to be smoother and easier to manage.
Choose hair botox if you…
- have dry, brittle or damaged hair from colouring, bleaching or heat styling;
- want to keep your curls or waves, only softer and less frizzy;
- have dull or fine hair that could use more shine.
Can’t decide? That’s completely normal. Sometimes a combination gives the best result. During the hair analysis we look at the structure, thickness and condition of your hair and give you honest advice on what it really needs.
Combining with colour or balayage
Do you colour your hair? Both treatments work well alongside it. Hair botox nourishes hair that has dried out from colouring or bleaching. With keratin, it’s best to colour first: the keratin seals in the colour and adds extra shine. If you’re planning several treatments, we’ll work out the best order and timing together.
How to make the result last
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo and a good conditioner. Sulphates wash out the active ingredients faster.
- After a classic keratin treatment, leave your hair alone for 72 hours.
- Protect your hair from chlorine and salt water.
- Want extra nourishment in between? A Brazilian hair ritual is a shorter treatment you can repeat every few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I combine keratin and hair botox?
Sometimes a combination gives the best result. Whether that’s true for you, and in which order, depends on your hair. We’ll talk it through during the hair analysis.
Will hair botox make my hair straight?
No. Hair botox makes your hair softer, shinier and less frizzy, but it doesn’t change its natural structure. If you want smoother hair, keratin is the better choice.
Which treatment lasts longer?
Classic keratin: 3 to 5 months on average. Hair botox lasts 1 to 3 months and the Brazilian Blowout 6 to 12 weeks. How often you wash your hair and which products you use make a big difference.
How much do keratin and hair botox cost?
It depends on the length and thickness of your hair and on the treatment. Send us a photo of your hair on WhatsApp and we’ll give you a personal price guide.
Want to know more?
Read more about our keratin treatment and Brazilian Blowout or about hair botox in Amsterdam. Maria Bonita Hair welcomes clients from Amsterdam and North Holland, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, by appointment only.
