Difference between Hair Botox and regular Keratin treatments

[abioni]

I went to a salon for the first time in a long time and I asked to book an appointment for a relaxer. After talking to her, I asked if there was an alternative to a relaxer that I could get. She recommended Hair Botox. She said it will last 2-3 months.

She didn't speak good English so I couldn't get details from her. I told her I'm allergic to Formaldehyde and she said Botox should be fine. But after talking more, she said to stick to a relaxer.

The first and last time I got Keratin treatment, I developed a bald spot. Luckily the hair grew back. I did a patch test and it was confirmed I'm allergic to Formaldehyde. So I'm scared of anything with that ingredient.

Is Botox the same as the Keratin treatment or different? Does it elongate curls permanently? I really want to try something different from a relaxer where I can elongate my curls and do wash and go.

The lady said the Botox treatment would cost $175 while the relaxer would cost $50. Is the Botox price reasonable?

 

[VinDieselsWifey]

From my research even though these new treatments claim to be formaldehyde free, they use derivatives that can still release formaldehyde during the blow dry/flat iron step. So even though they don’t technically contain it, they can release it depending on the temperature of the flat iron.
If you could find out the active ingredient, then you could research at what temp it will release formaldehyde. For some as long as the temp of the flat iron is kept below a very high temp, it shouldn’t release any formaldehyde.

 

[Napp]

I’ve done both and keratin treatments are more permanent than botox. I think it’s because the botox application dilutes the power of the formula where as a keratin treatment is more concentrated. A botox will revert back to the original curl pattern or at least very close but the hair will have a different properties compared to natural hair. I used a Botox at one point and it made my hair look wavy after applying I was scared I ruined my hair but after a few washes it snapped back. Even a curl stylist never has seen that effect but she considered my hair to be damaged and cut it all.

There are different active ingredients. Right now the formula I’m using uses tannins but I’m not sure if that releases formaldehyde too. I use low heat blowoff and don’t turn up my flat iron too high and I like my hair this way so I’ll only do it a few times a year