Wedding season is here, and honestly, your hair can make or break your entire look. You could have the most stunning lehenga, flawless makeup, and gorgeous jewellery, but frizzy, dull hair? That’s going to show up in every single photograph. Whether you are the bride or the bridesmaid, a good hair treatment can totally amp up your look. But walk into any salon these days and you’ll hear about hair spas, hair botox, keratin treatments, and a dozen other options. It’s confusing, which is why we talked to Dr Thalha to help you choose the best treatment between hair spa and hair botox.

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What’s the difference between hair spa and hair botox?

“A hair spa is essentially like a facial for your hair,” Dr Thalha explains. “It focuses on hydration and scalp nourishment through a sequence of oil massage, gentle shampooing, deep-conditioning masks, and steam.” It’s great for adding moisture and shine, but the effects don’t go very deep.

Hair botox, on the other hand, goes deeper into your hair structure. “Hair botox is a reparative, restructuring treatment that works deeper than a spa. It uses proteins such as keratin and collagen, amino acids, vitamins like B5 and E, to fill in damaged or porous areas of the hair shaft,” says Dr Thalha. The product sits on your hair for over an hour and then gets sealed in with heat.

Simply put, a hair spa hydrates and nourishes the surface, while hair botox repairs structural damage by filling gaps along the hair shaft.

Which hair treatment is best for you?

If your hair is just a bit dry or lacks shine but doesn’t break easily, a hair spa is probably enough. It works well if your hair responds nicely to oil massages and conditioning masks. It’s good for general upkeep and that glossy finish.

“Choose hair botox if your hair feels weak, rough, or structurally damaged. This includes hair that has been coloured, bleached, or heat-styled often, as well as visible split ends, loss of elasticity, and breakage,” Dr Thalha advises.

Why timing is everything

This is where many people mess up, especially around important events like weddings. If you get a treatment too close to your wedding, you could end up with hair that’s too flat or results that have already worn off.

For hair spas, you’ll want to go regularly, every two to four weeks, for a few months before the wedding. Book your last session about three to four days before the big day. Since spa results only last a couple of weeks, regular sessions help build up that shine over time.

On the other hand, hair botox needs more planning. “Ideal window: three to four weeks before the wedding,” says Dr Thalha. This gives the treatment time to settle properly. Right after getting it done, your hair might feel almost too smooth and flat. After a few washes, it relaxes and looks more natural, which is exactly what you want. Don’t book it for the week before the important day, or you’ll be dealing with that overly sleek look.

What can go wrong?

Here’s a common worry: if you get hair botox, will your hair still hold curls? Will updos work? Yes, it will. “Hair botox does not break or restructure hair bonds, so your natural curl pattern stays intact. It smoothens frizz while maintaining texture, shape, and volume,” Dr Thalha confirms.

Unlike some straightening treatments that leave your hair completely flat, hair botox just makes your natural texture look better. Your curls will still curl, but they’ll be shinier and less frizzy. It actually makes styling easier, not harder. Both treatments have their risks, and you need to know about them before booking.

With hair spas, the problem is usually too much steam. Yes, steam helps products work better, but overdo it and you’re asking for trouble. “High heat or prolonged steaming lifts the cuticle too much, increases porosity, and makes the hair fragile once it cools,” warns Dr Thalha. This is especially risky if your hair is already damaged, coloured, or fine. So if your salon is blasting your hair with super-hot steam for ages, that’s a red flag.

Hair botox can cause temporary hair fall. Even when done properly, the treatment can stress your hair roots or feel too heavy on fine hair. This usually happens a few weeks later, not ideal when you’re counting down to your wedding or your bestie’s wedding.

The biggest risk comes from cheap, low-quality products. So, always go to a reputable salon, ask about the products they use, and if possible, do a test treatment a few months before the wedding to see how your hair reacts.

Common mistakes to avoid before treatments

“Many brides experiment with new treatments just a week before the wedding and end up dealing with flatness, frizz, or temporary shedding,” says Dr Thalha. That’s a big no-no. Colouring your hair right before or after the treatment (leave at least a week’s gap), washing your hair immediately after getting hair botox (wait 72 hours), and expecting either treatment to be permanent, are some other mistakes you need to avoid.

To connect with dermatologist Dr Mohammed Thalha for more personalised skin and hair care advice, find him here.

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