This is the party season. Though safety should be a priority, you are likely to attend a string of lunches, brunches and parties at night. It’s annoying to blow dry your hair every time. Go for treatments that will keep your hair party-ready for two to four-and-a-half months.

Two such treatments are Botox and Keratin treatments for hair, but clients are often confused about the two. Both treatments give you frizz-free, shiny and soft hair for some time. If you were to choose one, you could keep these facts in mind:

BOTOX TREATMENT:

Despite its name, it has no botulinum toxin, the main ingredient of Botox for skin. Botox for hair is a chemical-free treatment and just borrows its name from the skin treatment because its effects appear similar. Botox for hair repairs damaged, broken hair fibres caused by dehydration, over-processed chemical treatments or using heating tools too much. This treatment contains caviar oil, antioxidants, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and collagen complex to add moisture and repair the hair. Hair Botox basically fills up the gaps in hair fibre, leaving it silky, shiny and youthful.

The treatment is only for hair, not for the scalp.

Effects last for: Four to six months.

Cost: Rs 5,000 onwards depending on length and thickness of hair.

KERATIN TREATMENT: Also known as Brazilian blow dry. It too makes your hair look full and shiny,

filling in the porosity of your hair and restoring the protein to it. But it has formaldehyde, which can have side effects for both clients and hairstylists in the long run. Too much of Keratin treatment tends to break hair even. However, there is formaldehyde-free Keratin, which is a safer option.

Effects last for: Three to four-and-a-half months.

Cost: Rs 3,000 onwards

depending on length and thickness.

If you are pregnant, definitely consult your doctor before you go for any hair treatment.

Both treatments have to be followed up by a particular type of shampoo which goes with each treatment. It’s best to get both treatments done by a hairdresser at a salon.

The columnist creates a range of hairstyles at Ishrat’s Hair & Skin Studio, Lord Sinha Road, Calcutta. Contact: @ishratansar