Lash botox: what it is and how it differs from lamination

There’s a lot of confusion around lash botox, starting with the name itself. Let’s clear it up: what the treatment is, what’s in it, how it differs from lamination, and who it’s for.

Why is it called botox

Let’s bust the big myth right away: lash botox has nothing to do with botulinum toxin injections. No needles, nothing that freezes anything. The name comes by analogy with hair botox, a nourishing salon treatment. At its core, it’s a conditioning mask for your lashes.

What’s in it

The formula works thanks to a few active ingredients:

• hydrolyzed keratin, the main structural protein of the lash, which fills in damage;
• collagen and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate and plump up the hair;
• vitamins and natural oils, such as argan.

Lashes are almost entirely made of keratin, so small-molecule keratin slips right into the hair and rebuilds its structure.

How the treatment goes

The technique is a lot like lamination: cleansing, setting the lashes on a rod, an optional tint, and a final conditioning step that goes on once the cuticle is open and ready to soak up the most benefit. Almost always lash botox is done as the finishing step of a lamination, but it can also be a standalone conditioning treatment. It takes about 1.5 hours and lasts 2 to 6 weeks on average, sometimes longer.

How it differs from lamination

The difference comes down to the job each one does:

• lamination is first and foremost about the look: curl, volume, color, a polished finish, with conditioning as a bonus;
• lash botox is first and foremost about care and repair from within. On its own it gives almost no noticeable curl or color unless you pair it with lamination.

That’s why they’re often done together: lamination first for a pretty curl, then lash botox for healthy lashes.

Who it’s for

Lash botox is especially good for weakened lashes: thin, brittle, over-dried, or damaged after a bad lamination or perm, frequent mascara, or eye drops. If your lashes are healthy and you just want a pretty curl, a regular lamination is plenty.

The contraindications are the same as for lamination: an allergy to the products, eye inflammation, a stye, conjunctivitis, recent surgery, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Bottom line

Lash botox is a nourishing, keratin-based treatment. It repairs and strengthens the hair, lasts about a month, and works best paired with lamination: one handles the beauty, the other handles the health.