While I’ll admit to being pretty lucky in the hair department, there’s always room for improvement, especially as I’ve been a die hard highlights fan for many years. So when I heard about the latest conditioning treatment 'hair Botox' which, with absolutely no needles involved, promises to smooth and soften unruly or frizzy locks on a semi permanent basis, I had to book in.
 
There are two variants depending on your hair’s needs and requirements: the original deep conditioning treatment works by restoring and repairing damaged hair and hair fibres. The power-packed formula includes caviar oil, antioxidants, vitamin B5, vitamin E and collagen, repairs and nourishes, with added softening and moisturising benefits.

The Express treatment uses concentrated vials to prevent frizz fast: designed to be used between treatments or as an independent treatment, it provides excellent repair and conditioning benefits, resulting in much greater softness, silkiness and shine.

While the treatment intrigued me, I was slightly concerned that my hair would forfeit its natural body  – however, and unlike traditional keratin or Brazilian blowdry treatments – it’s altogether much gentler and maintain’s the hair’s natural texture without flattening it, making it great for those with curly hair. In addition, the product contains magnesium which helps to rebuild split ends.

My appointment was booked at Santi’s, a cool and cosy new salon in Soho, London. Following a divine head and shoulder massage using Aveda Stress Fix oil, Santi took me over to the backwash.

As I settled into the chair, Santi asked me if I normally suffered with a flaky scalp. I do sometimes suffer with an itchy scalp when the seasons change, but it appeared I did indeed have an irritated scalp, along with potential product build up.

So it was time for a thorough exfoliation before the treatment – Santi used Aveda’s Exfoliating Scalp Treatment to whisk away any dead cells and product residue, and thoroughly cleanse and purify the skin. Afterwards, my squeaky clean scalp felt invigorated, super fresh and tingly, just like it had been dipped in icy mountain spring water.

Next, the treatment. With no need to wash out, the vanilla-scented formulation was applied section by section to rough-dried hair and left in for 20 minutes; my hair was then blow-dried and straightened with straightening irons to seal in the product.

While I’ve not worn my hair super straight since the 90s, I could not deny that the results were impressive. My colour also looked fresher, there was not a single strand out of place and my hair, despite being blonde, was noticeably sleeker and shiner.  

And it will stay in this pristine condition for up to three months (depending on your hair type), even when I next shampoo and condition – my medium textured, ever so slightly wavy hair is prone to frizz and fluffiness when washed, so I was excited to witness my new well behaved locks post-washing.

And this is when it really came into its own: I was caught short without my usual hair products the weekend following the treatment, and had to take a gamble on using the shampoo and conditioner in the hotel I was staying at. While this change of routine would more than often result in strand suicide, my locks looked salon-perfect when dried, with not a hair out of place.

And so far, my hair continues to look well groomed and glossy, even when challenged by the spring elements – if the condition went downhill in the future, I'd certainly consider booking in again for the Express treatment.

Hair Botox costs from £85 for the Express treatment and from £295 for the Deep Conditioning Treatment. Available at Santi’s London and salons nationwide; visit santislondon.com or cocochocoprofessional.co.uk/salon-locator/