Brazilian Hair Straightening - Fabulous or Fatal?
Fad Hair Treatment Responsible for at Least One Death
While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used to perform Brazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient is formaldehyde (as in embalming fluid). Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive carcinogen, and its fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and moderate humidity levels accelerate the noxious effects of the chemical. Since the Brazilian Hair Straightening treatment also involves applying heat to the hair with a straight-iron, stylists who perform it are in danger, and are cautioned to wear gas masks and latex gloves and perform the procedure in an area with ventilation. Even with these precautions the FDA considers any solution containing more than .02% formaldehyde to be patently unsafe. They don't regulate the formulas, however, most of which are manufactured in Latin America, and the higher the percentage of formaldehyde, the more effective a straightener the treatment is. Random testing performed by Allure Magazine indicated that some salons were using solutions that contained as much as ten times the safe amount.
Brazilian Keratin Treatments aren't dangerous only to the stylist. It is theorized that repeated treatments will cause formaldehyde buildup in the hair, releasing formaldehyde fumes every time a patron blow dries or hot-irons her hair. There has been at least one documented death from the treatment. In March 2007, a 33 year old Brazilian woman actually died from the process. Anvisa, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency, believes that an excess of noxious fumes were released from the heat when she took a shower after leaving the solution in her hair for 4 days. Is straight hair worth dying for? That should be a rhetorical question.
When news reports of the potentially fatal consequences of this treatment hit the mass media through an article in Allure Magazine and a report on CBS News' "The Early Show," however, it only seemed to give the process illicit appeal for some women in fashion-conscious cities with large Brazilian populations. In Miami, for example, newspapers and local craigslist sites feature numerous classified ads advertising Brazilian Straightening, often touting the fact that the solution is "the highest concentration available." In many cases, these ads refer to treatments done in homes of individuals who are not even licensed cosmetologists, and the perceived benefit to the client is more straightening power for less money. But by using embalming fluid on her hair, they may be hastening her and themselves to the grave.
Sources:
www.cbsnews.com
December 6, 2007 Time Out New York Magazine, "Scared Straight" by Rachel LeWinter
October 14, 2007 New York Magazine, "Shear Madness" by Emma Rosenblum
Published by Nancy Lichtenstein
Nancy Lichtenstein is a freelance writer and journalist, a mom, a fashionista, and frequently can be found backstage at rock concerts in her spare time. She has written for Woman's Day, CNN, USA Today, the... View profile
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- The active ingredient of the straightening solution is formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
- Most solutions contain up to 10 times the amount of formaldehyde that the FDA considers safe.
- In March 2007 a 33 year old Brazilian woman died from the treatment.
49 Comments
Post a CommentI have to admit I wasnt sure is the Shielo Toyko Silky <a href="http://www.shielo.com/styling/straight-hair.html">Straighten Hair Method</a> would for me, cause I have tried everything to keep my hair straight! The first time I used it though, I was amazingly surprised at how soft and manageable my hair was. I have very thick, wavy hair and once it dried it became smooth and sleek. It also smells fantastic and I received confirmation from my boyfriend on that.
0.2% is the correct number, not 0.02%
Hello,
We have a new Brazilian Keratin Treat Tottaly formol free. I `m agree formol is very dangar and can die by cancer. It`s very easy see that the produt have a lot quantity with formol, because we have lot irritation in the eyes, Please cleck wwww.m2acosmeticos.com.br . This companie use new technology FORMOL FREE
Japanese Hair Straightening
Hi, nice article. ut I'd like to point out a couple of things you say about Brazilian Keratin hair straighteners, and in particular, the products which are made and sold from Brazil itself... Most of these treatments no longer contain Formaldehyde, which used to be added to create an emulsion, with the Keratin. Nowadays, in Brazil it's use has been banned, and alcohol, or alkalines do the same job, which allows the Keratin to be absorbed within the hair cuticles. As for Alexandre's comments below, which are reproduced from an article I've seen online (and linked to below)When was it written? 2001? It's out of date and incorrect in so many ways that I have to question it's author's credibilty. I know that sounds harsh, but check out the last paragraph, in which Alexandre suggests that companies here in Brazil are tricking the Government by sneaking in deadly chemicals after they've had the thumbs up from health authorities. C'mon, does he really think Brazil
look at this:)
http://www.marlonramos.com/aboutkeratin2.htm#images/shared/img08BandA.png
formaldehyde free
Im cosmetologist for many years and I know that all straightner products are dangerous for your health .If you check the color box the formulas and all componds ,you will see is why we call it quimicals ,some of then will have of course hiden dangerous quimicals in they formulas .They dont tell you all is in the formula.But , to work it need be there .All products that change the hair structure have a tipe of componds that softing to change the hair original form. This Brazilian keratin works fabulous ,just make sure bying it from a good quimical company.Plus people get curious .It is a big sucess straightner , does the job ! Smart cosmetologists are using and Making a good money!Get educade and learn more about and I do referer (BRAZILIAN HAIR kERATIN )A GREAT PRODUCT!!!!
The FDA does not have the budget to regulate. The keratin Co's should be honest, well they are not. Keratin alone does not straighten hair. The salon industry has never been so green and at the same time never been so toxic. You are supposed to wear a double filter gas mask when handling formaldehyde. That Barbie mask those co's send with their product is a joke.
The only way to know if a keratin prod is safe is to see the MSDS sheet. Check if it contains any of the 14 names for formaldehyde (they are listed on OSHA.gov). Be safe Be real! Most of these products are made in China and you know their track record.
I am a stylist and an owner. I have been using keratin treatment on me and my clients. I use 3 types of Keratin treatments: Coppola, Simply Smooth and one straight from brazil. And do know the harsh chemicals in it and i do consult with my clients and it is their choice. Even though the bottle says there is no formaldehyde i still think the one from brazil might have some because the results are much better. So maybe brazil doe not tell the truth regarding ingredients but we will never know that. mymodasalon.com
Hi, nice article.
ut I'd like to point out a couple of things you say about Brazilian Keratin hair straighteners, and in particular, the products which are made and sold from Brazil itself...
Most of these treatments no longer contain Formaldehyde, which used to be added to create an emulsion, with the Keratin. Nowadays, in Brazil it's use has been banned, and alcohol, or alkalines do the same job, which allows the Keratin to be absorbed within the hair cuticles.
As for Alexandre's comments below, which are reproduced from an article I've seen online (and linked to below)When was it written? 2001?
It's out of date and incorrect in so many ways that I have to question it's author's credibilty.
I know that sounds harsh, but check out the last paragraph, in which Alexandre suggests that companies here in Brazil are tricking the Government by sneaking in deadly chemicals after they've had the thumbs up from health authorities.
C'mon, does he really think Brazil works like this..