THE BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT What it is? The hugely popular keratin hair treatment used to straighten hair. What it does is to keep hair straight for at least three and at best up to six months. How it is done The product is applied to the hair and the hair is then flat ironed. In the process hair is straightened and will stay straight for a period of months. This longer term straight effect is what gives these products their massive appeal. Hair maintenance is thus also done more easily. How this is different from a conventional straightening process: According to the cosmetics and toiletry association of South Africa (CFTA) approved commercial hair relaxers and straighteners in South Africa contain the active ingredients sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide or guanidine. Reputable brands generally comply with the regulatory restrictions placed on these formulations. Translating into provision of necessary warnings and precautions, direction for use on packaging and proper labeling ie. Listing the component ingredients. Brazilian blow-out treatments they state may not be safe and fit for use at all as they are not at all compliant with safety regulations. What they have found is that some of these very popular hair treatments contain a toxin called formaldehyde. Worse still is that a UCT study found while formaldehyde limits are 0.2%. Products tested showed up with levels of 0.96 and up to 1.4% (iol.co.za/capetimes/hair-style-cancer-shock-1.1679040#.VHQUcb75ifQ) Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic- meaning it can cause cancer. It is classified as a toxin in several countries including South Africa. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde elements can be listed as: formaldehyde, methylene glycol, formalin, methylene oxide, paraform, formic aldehyde, methanal, oxomethane, oxymethylene or timonacic acid. The American Food & Drug Association (FDA) have issued a warning letter to the hair and beauty industry informing them about the health and safety concerns related to the use of this toxin. “The Brazilian Blowout Warning Letter cites both safety and labeling violations. For example, the letter lists health risks associated with inhaling formaldehyde and reactions that have been reported when people used the product as directed. Among the reported reactions were eye problems, nervous system problems such as headaches and dizziness, respiratory tract problems, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, and rash. The letter also states that the labeling was misleading because it called the product formaldehyde free, even though people were exposed to formaldehyde when using it as intended. The labeling also failed to reveal possible consequences of using this product under the conditions prescribed in the labels or labeling…formaldehyde presents a health hazard if workers are exposed. It can irritate the eyes and nose; cause allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, and lungs; and is linked to nose and lung cancer”. fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/products/ucm228898.htm Locally the safety and health concerns of these products have also made waves. A UCT study by their dermatology department led by Prof Nonhlanhla Khumalo published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology this February found the following: Of the seven brands of these products available locally until 2012 Formaldehyde was present in all these products. 6 of the 7 products contained five times the regulated limit of formaldehyde 5 products were misleadingly labeled as “formaldehyde free” According to Prof Khumalo when using heat to straighten hair what one is doing is to restructure the hydrogen bonds temporarily. When using a relaxer the PH is altered and disulphide bonds are restructured permanently. Formaldehyde creates cross bonds with outer links that set heat straightened hair making it last so long. Prof Khumalo states that the common Keratin argument presented by these companies is not viable since They cannot change curly hair to water resistant straight, at best they can make it feel smoother, So unless these companies can give an alternative credible explanation for their claims of how “formaldehyde free” products can create water resistance consumers need to be alerted to these risks. The CFTA warns that if a hair treatment can last up to two or three months it is possible that it contains formaldehyde. My thoughts: I know a few women that have had a Brazilian blowout and have loved the way their hair looked and left after the treatment. As always I will say look at the warnings and make an informed decision on what you are willing to risk. If you are willing to risk your health and safety plus pay a hefty price to do so then who should be able to tell you otherwise? I have never had a Brazilian blowout but I have had something similar to it done to my hair before my second big chop. I have been offered a Brazilian blowout by several salons selling the “revolutionary” treatment to end and tame all frizz and end big hair. Whenever I asked my long list of questions I was dissatisfied with the gaps in the science of exactly how this miracle worked. What I do know is that hair once damaged cannot be repaired. Hair can be changed with some chemicals and these chemicals just like everything else will have some negative effect. The real issue is that most of these effects may go unnoticed or may get attributed to some other thing that is wrong. We are more likely not to use a relaxer or a hair dye since a disaster there could spell tickets for our coveted appearances. How often do we really read labels? How often do we heed attention and focus on not always visible but long term risks we take with our bodies? How many of us ever even consider looking up a label? Sadly products listed for Salon use only do not have to have much information. Professional use products thus pose an even higher risk. Still given the choice would you rather postpone a treatment to do research or do you take a hairdressers word for it? Sources: ctfa.co.za/consumer-advice fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/products/ucm228898.htm iol.co.za/capetimes/hair-style-cancer-shock-1.1679040#.VHQUcb75ifQ iol.co.za/capetimes/hair-style-cancer-shock-1.1679040#.VHQUcb75ifQ enca/south-africa/uct-declines-name-formaldehyde-hair-straightening-products
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 10:32:10 +0000
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