BYE BYE Frizz!

Kanishka Ramchandani tries hair botox at Jean Claude Biguine Salon to verify the truths and myths of this treatment.

Ihave a confession to make. I have always been hesitant towards texture treatments. Turning my waist length hair into a ‘Lob’, no problem; going ‘Merida’ red on my 40th birthday, no problem; trying out a straightening service - big problem. Having said that, I do have a frizzy hair issue to contend with, too. So, when I heard of ‘hair botox’ that fights frizz and is not a straightening service, I said ‘why not?’

This decision saw me walking into the Chembur outlet of Jean Claude Biguine Salon in Mumbai one fine afternoon to try hair botox. I had booked an appointment with hairdresser Nilesh and our session started with a consultation first. This service requires 4-5 hours so a prior appointment is a must. Nilesh took me through the entire process in great detail while providing comparisons with straightening, smoothening, Cysteine and keratin treatments. Having understood the theory part of it, I was sure I had taken the right call as hair botox is actually one of the best in-salon services that you can

What is hair botox?

The term botox comes from botulinum toxin, which is used by aestheticians to deal with signs of ageing. Unlike botox, hair botox does not require injections or pharmaceuticals of any kind. Being a protein treatment, it helps repair thinning hair strands. Ergo the name ‘botox.’ Hair botox is a formaldehyde-free and nonchemical treatment that provides deep conditioning to your hair, thanks to its main ingredient - tanino protein. This protein helps fight frizz and dryness, while working on the curl or wave pattern of your hair strands. That’s why apart from shooing away the frizz, hair botox also leaves your mane looking straight. It also enhances your hair colour and slows the fading process. I have wavy hair and post the treatment, my tresses fell in a straight curtain across my shoulders, sans the frizz and dryness. It didn’t fall flat as it wasn’t poker straight and there was enough movement to it.

What’s the process like?

At first, Nilesh shampooed my hair with a deep cleansing shampoo three times to ensure it was squeaky clean. After rinsing off, he blast dried the hair and trimmed the ends a little. He then started applying the product section wise, combing the strands intermittently for even distribution. The sections were then cling-wrapped and left for 40- 45 minutes. Once the cling wrap was removed, my hair was paddle dried with medium heat, followed by flat ironing. Nilesh enlisted the help of his colleague to speed up the ironing process. After the hair cooled down, he rinsed it off and applied conditioner. After the blow dry, my hair fell on my shoulders e afrizz-less curtain. Initially I thought this is not the ok I was aiming for as the hair seemed too flat. But ter a couple of washes, the hair acquired a natural ovement and felt fuller and healthier. Unlike other atments, hair botox doesn’t require you to go back the salon for a final wash after 24 hours. You can ash your hair at home with a sulphate free shampoo, eferably the one recommended by your hairdressers. r my hair, Nilesh had used QoD Professional products d he recommended its argan shampoo and nditioner for at-home use. The effects of hair botox sts up to 60 washes. Workout or exercises leading to cessive sweating or tying the hair too tightly should

hoose your salon wisely

Hair botox is a specialised treatment and it is a ust that you select your salon prudently. I chose an Claude Biguine because their hairdressers are perienced and well-versed in technical knoww about intensive treatments such as hair botox. e hairdresser was able to answer all my questions tisfactorily. The salon also has comfortable seating d an excellent backwash chair that made my perience more fun. Remember, hair botox is a ng treatment and how the salon takes care of your mfort counts a lot. The ironing process also releases mes, and it is advisable to wear a mask. PBHJ