The Brazilian Blowout, a hair treatment which promises to turn frizzy foes into silky, smooth locks, has come under some serious heat regarding a serious ingredient – formaldehyde.
The treatment, which has gained extreme popularity in the US and Canada, is one of the top selling treatments in most upscale hair salons.
Last month, a hairstylist in Oregon prompted an investigation into the claims that the product was formaldehyde free. She says she gave the treatment to around 20 clients before she started to experience strange symptoms including chest pains and a soar throat. Many other people have reported nausea and headaches.
The Oregon Health & Science University’s Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology began testing samples of the Brazilian Blowout in her salon and found formaldehyde levels between 8.85 percent and 10.6 percent — far higher than the 0.2 percent considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel.
Health Canada reported to have received numerous reports of burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and even one report of hair loss associated with the use of the product. It believes the reactions were caused by the irritant becoming aerosolized during the blow drying and flat ironing stages of the treatment.
Brazilian Blowout of California, who makes the product, claims the hair straightener is 100 percent safe. Last week, the US distributor of the Brazilian Blowout, Cadiveu, called for an update in standardized testing regarding formaldehyde and claims the results conducted against its products are incorrect.
What do you think? Have you ever had a Brazilian treatment or something similar, let us know your results…….
