There is no better feeling than sporting a great-looking blow dry. However, keeping it looking it's best is a work in progress. Editor Trudi Brewer reveals the latest trend in hair perfection - Blotox?
Humidity and hormones are often to blame for your hair not looking on point. But like all beauty emergencies, there is a solution - and could be found in one of the most popular, safest appearance medicine treatments used in New Zealand today. Already on the menu in L.A. blow dry bars - 'Blotox' is proving the saviour for extending your weekly blow dry. That's right Botox is being injected into the scalp to curb sweating and maintain a bouncy blow out. No longer reserved for smoothing forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet, Botox has many uses. From relieving the pain and tension caused by migraines, muscular disorders, bladder and bowel issues, as well as excessive sweating. According to cosmetic expert, Doctor Joanna Romanowska from Clinic 42 in Auckland, "Injecting botulinum diffusely and superficially into the skin is proven to curb excess sweating and sebum production, and it's approved in the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) by the FDA and other regulatory bodies worldwide." Romanowska says the process is swift and relatively painless. "Both sweat and oil production by the glands in the skin are controlled by the neurotransmitter called 'acetylcholine.' Using Botox blocks this neurotransmitter to reduce the activity of the sweat and sebaceous (or oil-producing) glands, thereby making the hair less greasy." And before you write this idea off and stick with layer after layer of dry shampoo this is not a long-term solution to having clean, bouncy-looking hair. Over use of dry shampoo can lead to blocked hair follicles, causing an irritated scalp and ultimately lack-lustre locks. If you suffer from an excessively oily scalp, or have constant sweating due to hormonal hot flushes, or other conditions this treatment could be the answer. "Because of the large surface area involved on the head, we try to assess which areas of the scalp are most problematic and target those directly to minimise the discomfort and cost of the procedure," says Romanowska. 'Blotox' who knew - maybe this could be the answer to a significantly extended good hair day.
Romanowska says consultations are essential to assess the extent of the problem and the amount of product required to achieve the desired result.
Results will last around five months. Expect to pay from $1200 to $1500 per treatment.