A couple of weeks ago we discussed the blow up over the Blowout (Brazilian that is) and now the discussion continues. Last week, the makers of the Blowout were handed a lawsuit over the large amount of formaldehyde consumers claim are in this straightening product.
After multiple complaints over formaldehyde in hair smoothing products, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel is taking another look into this substance.
This expert panel consists of scientists and physicians nominated by consumer groups, the government and the personal care industry and will review and asses the cosmetic ingredient safety of formaldehyde.
The reason for all the hype – consumers have sighted burning eyes, nose, throat and even hair loss attributed to formaldehyde. The makers of the blowout claim there is no formaldehyde in the Brazilian blowout but something else that acts like the ingredient.
Cadiveu USA which distributes the product has said it does not contain formaldehyde as a functional ingredient and said the confusion is over the presence of methylene glycol in the formula.
Methylene glycol and formaldehyde exist in equilibrium, and that adding methylene glycol to water will inevitably lead to the formation of some formaldehyde and vice versa, which is what might be happening with the Brazilian treatment.
It is this link between the use of methylene glycol as a cosmetics ingredient and the associated presence of formaldehyde that will be investigated by the panel, especially because there are no safety assessments for the use of methylene glycol in cosmetics.
I wanna hear your take…. Have you had this treatment? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, would you?
