Ladies, do you want your hair to finally be smooth, straight, sleek, and most importantly- not frizzy? Let me think about that for a nano-second. Um, yes! We used to turn to our simple products, then the flat iron, then the professional blowouts at the salon. But lately, the trend has been the Brazilian Blowout. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have used this treatment, which consists of creating a protective layer around the hair to eliminate frizz and keep your mane smooth. It seems to be a simple enough process: a shampoo session with a specially formulated shampoo to prep your hair, towel-drying, then your stylist combing the Brazilian Blowout Professional Treatment through your hair. A blow dry followed by flat ironing the hair, then rinsing (not shampooing) and applying the Brazilian Blowout Masque. Once that is finished, the stylist will once again rinse, towel dry, then apply the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Serum then blow dry one more time. Ninety minutes later, you are better looking than ever!
But there has to be a catch. After salon workers in Oregon started complaining of eye irritation, nose bleeds and difficulty breathing after using Brazilian Blowout products, state officials stepped in. What was found is a high level of formaldehyde. Chemists at the Oregon Occupation Heath and Safety Administration and the Oregon Health and Science University’s Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology tested a sample from salons in the area, and determined the product contained 4.85 percent to 10.6 percent formaldehyde, even though the Brazilian Blowout products are labeled “formaldehyde free.” Manufactures are required to alert stylists if a product has over 0.1 percent of this chemical. The Oregon Health and Science University released this public health alert on September 30th, 2010 about the disturbing findings.
Why should we be concerned? ABCNews.com said that formaldehyde can be found in food and other products, being exposed to us every day. While low exposure can cause the eye irritation and other similar effects, high exposure can lead to some cancers, according to The US Centers for Disease Control. But what is formaldehyde? Cancer.gov lists this as a “colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and to produce many household products.” It goes on further to say that formaldehyde has been classified as a “human carcinogen.” Is that word familiar? It is often used when talking about cigarettes. Yes- it is a cancer causing substance. Innocent stylists and salon-goers are being exposed to high levels of this carcinogen when using the Brazilian Blowout products.
The makers of Brazilian Blowout products are defending themselves against the claims. ABCNews.com reports that they are arguing the high amount of formaldehyde, because the OSHA did not get samples directly from them, instead they used the samples from the salon. Brazilian Blowout is currently doing their own investigation. If you can afford to get this treatment, which can set you back up to $500, it is suggested you hold off until all investigations are complete. If you insist on getting the Brazilian Blowout, make sure the salon is equipped with masks or goggles that will protect you from breathing in the formaldehyde.
My personal advice? Stay away! Until you know for sure what you are exposing yourself to, I don’t think any beauty treatment is worth the risks. I recently posted on Herbal Essences shampoo- that helped cut down the frizz in my hair without the risk or the high price! Has anyone tried this type of hair straightening before? Would you? I would love to hear your thoughts!
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I use a Keratin treatment instead. Nothing so harsh, but it works really well. Also, there’s lots of Formaldehyde in nail polishes. ButterLondon offers a 3-free line of nail lacquers that are formaldehyde and other chemical free. I love them. When used with their base and top coat, they’re great. Hard to find in stores, though. Some Nordstrom stores carry them, but I order mine online.
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Thanks Ashley! I didn’t even think about nail polishes as well! I will definitely have to check out ButterLondon 🙂
I started working at a Salon in Cenurion recently to do my hours required for my trade test, where we were doing brazilian blow outs. After the first one, the glands in my neck were swollen for 3 days, the next time I performed the service, I had sharp pains in my lungs when I lay down to sleep that evening, it has been about a week since then and I am still experiencing pain in my chest. We did wear material masks while perfornming the service, but the salon doesnt have proper ventilation. I resigned and refuse to perform a brazillian or even be in the same place where one is being done. It is not worth my health to make somone elses hair straight! I cannot believe that this product has not been banned altogether.
Herbal Essences shampoo?! it sounds great,it must protect hair very well.