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What makes Brazilian Blowout different from other "professional smoothing treatments"? According to their website, it's pretty simple: "The ONLY Professional Smoothing Treatment that improves the health of the hair. No damage! No harsh chemicals! NO FORMALDEHYDE!!" (Emphasis all theirs.) No wonder celebs like Halle Berry and Nicole Richie love it so.
As did our writer Jocelyn, when she tried the process on her naturally curly hair.
So, this is awkward: Samples of the brand's Brazilian Blowout Solution and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution were found to contain dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in a lab analysis by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University's Center for Research on Occupational Environmental Toxicology.
If a product contains more than 0.1 percent formaldehyde, the government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the manufacturer to list it on a material safety data sheet. The beauty industry's own Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel says that products shouldn't contain more than 0.2 percent formaldehyde. So, just how much formaldehyde did OHSU find in the Brazilian Blowout product samples? A whopping 4.85 to over 10 percent ...
More on what this means, after the jump.
Samples were collected from a Portland, Ore., salon after workers reported difficulty breathing, nosebleeds and eye irritation while using Brazilian Blowout products on customers. Say the OHSU researchers:
We love silky-smooth locks as much as the next chick, but exposing our hair stylists (not to mention our own heads) to a potential carcinogen that can also cause nosebleeds and asthma attacks? Pass. And we're not the only ones: "There's no way I would have done the treatment last summer if I knew it might have still contained formaldehyde," says beauty blogger Nadine Jolie.
The test results coupled with health symptoms reported to us from stylists using the specified hair product raised concerns at CROET because of the potential long-term and short-term impacts of formaldehyde exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control, formaldehyde can produce a variety of effects including immediate irritation of eyes, skin, nose and upper respiratory tract, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and wheezing. The major concerns of repeated formaldehyde exposure are sensitization, which is similar to an allergic condition, and asthma in those who have been previously sensitized to formaldehyde. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.
It's incredibly disturbing that it's taken salon workers getting sick to expose the fact that popular products contain a suspected carcinogen," says Erin Switalski of Women's Voices for the Earth, an environmental health advocacy group and co-founder of the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance, a national network of health advocates and researchers working for safe salons.
Which, naturally, has the brand in question in a bit of a lather. They're starting their own investigation and have a statement up online which notes, "Because OSHA did not request a sample from the company directly, there is no reason to believe the formulation tested and found positive was indeed Brazilian Blowout product."
Um, except for where the lab report notes, "This specific product was shipped on 8/31/2009 from Brazilian Blowout and is described as "34 oz/1-Liter Brazilian Blowout Solution."
We'll be straightening our hair the old-fashioned way (flat irons and elbow grease) until this mess is untangled.
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Comments:
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Monday 04 October
By MG
uM, ya , and the salon that PROVIDED THE PRODUCT SUBMITTED IT IN TUPPERWARE CONTAINERS, SO WHO'S TO SAY THAT IT WASN'T TAMPERED OR CONTAMINATED WITH ? I think we ought not to jump to conclusions until specific findings are revealed.
Reply
Wednesday 01 December
By kayla
oh yeah every salon who used it tampered with it. That is pointless and makes no sense why the salon would do that.
Friday 31 December
By Dennis
Who told you they were submitted in tupperware containers. Have you read the state's report? It says a state consultant took them directly from the BB bottles.
Tuesday 05 October
By shaina
mmm...I actually knew about this before I got the treatment done, and I still did it. It's been worn off for about a month for me, and I miss it in the worst way. I'd say it's still worth it. I have the kind of curly hair that--despite a large fortune spent on countless products and conditioners and everything else--still doesn't do what I want. I actually suffer anxiety before I go camping (causing me to sleep on my hair) and to concerts (which cause me to sweat and frizz like nobody's business). not to sound like an ad for the stuff, especially since it didn't make my hair straight like your "curly" girl who underwent the treatment (that, by the way, is far from curly hair). It made mine wavy and easy to manage, which is what I wanted. I could get out of the shower and not have to wait for it to dry before I went out (so that it doesn't frizz in a weird, uncontrollable way). I could go swimming, to concerts, camping, on overnight stays, and I didn't have to worry. If i can swing the cash, I would totally do it again, carcinogens be damned. that is how much I loved this stuff. Every (insecure) lady has her one thing, and mine is hair. This product costs a fortune, takes FOREVER, smells kind of shitty, requires three days of doing NOTHING to your hair, and is absolutely terrible for you. Nonetheless, as a currently miserable curly girl, I totally love it. I long for the day when it's as cheap as a blowout.
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Tuesday 05 October
By Soos
Since I know nothing could change your mind, I suggest you continue to pay for this treatment, and I wish you the best, Shaina, carcinogens and all.
Friday 08 October
By Michelle
I am like you and have the worst kind of frizzy hair and I am so thankful they came out with it and will countine to use this product. Can't wait till the price goes down because it does get costly but again, so worth it to me.
Thursday 09 December
By Eva Snyder
Your an IDIOT Shaina..wake up !!!
Tuesday 05 October
By shaina
oof. It's possible the...um...vehemence...of my comment is the result of a few too many october break beers. For the most part I stand by what I said. I just feel like absolutely everything we do is a carcinogen. Deodorant, barbecuing, milk proteins, paint, cell phones...I had the process done once, and I could only afford it by turning all my birthday and christmas gifts and most of a paycheck over to the hands of a very capable stylist. All in all, if anyone is in the position I am with my hair, I'd still recommend it.
Reply
Tuesday 05 October
By betsy
I had the keratin treatment that used the peter coppola formula, and it was amazing. Supposedly it is all natural. I wish I could afford to get it done regularly.
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Wednesday 06 October
By geri
Betsy, I am a stylist and I do all the different types of straightening processes. If your stylist told you that the coppola is all natural that is a bold face lie. It is well know in this industry that it has formeldahyde as well as all the other processes. I would find a new stylist, one whom is honest.
Recentley, it seems all i have been doing in the salon is brazilian blowouts so this info to me is scary and I feel played a fool. Exspecially since i personally called the company and asked what the hell is in the product that makes my eyes burn and my nose run like crazy!!!
Since I am already used to using products which contain formeldahyde i am no too concerned, but what i am concerned about is the fact they lied and the % that it contains!!!
Thursday 07 October
By J
Try the Keratin by Coppola! it has no harsh chemicals in it! better to be safe than sorry! My salon in North Andover, MA does an amazing job... Nova SalonSpa
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Thursday 07 October
By Janice Lucero-Mann
I had no problem with mine and I love it and I will do it again.
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Friday 08 October
By Michelle
I love it an will continue to use it...I have always had frizzy hair and then moved to where its humid almost all year round and dont like to walk around with a big fro or have my hair up all the time...
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Sunday 10 October
By levelplayingfield
Let's see. 1 salon in the entire country complains. Let's test the coppola products too, Oregon! As a client, I had nasal burning and tearing eyes from the coppola treatment. In the meantime, let's remember that coppola, which lost out earlier this year when clients flocked from the 3-day wait to the BB 1 day product, then tried to regain with the Blowout Express. How far of a stretch is it to believe that maybe, just maybe, one of its investors or management personnel decides to go further and malign BB by tampering or getting that 1 salon to tamper then complain to get the tampered product tested. Or, maybe the salon wanted better results for its clients and added something to the mix at the risk of its stylists. After 3 days of the smell of coppola, BB will be my next treatment option.
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Monday 11 October
By Desiree
I am trying to sort out the facts from the hype. What ever is the truth, one thing is clear; BB thinks we are stupid. Read their statements and it's clear that they are not tell the truth. They seem to say what ever makes them look good. If I can't trust their message, why would I trust them with my hair and my health. I followed the story to the company they say make their product, Cadivue. Wow - now there is a class act. I won't give up my silky smooth hair, but my next service will be Cadiveu.
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Tuesday 12 October
By maria
OSHA’s Testing Methods Proven Faulty
October, 8 2010
The Oregon division of OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recent claims that samples of the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution contained between 4.85% and 10.6% Formaldehyde has been proven to be incorrect.
Doug Schoon, a leading scientist and expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations with regards to ingredient safety, consumer testing and cosmetics registrations/regulations, says that the test methods used by Oregon OSHA do not properly measure Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products. The tests conducted by OSHA actually measured a completely different substance called "Methylene Glycol," and incorrectly referred to this substance as "Formaldehyde." Methylene Glycol is the key functioning ingredient used in most professional hair smoothing treatments currently on the market.
Schoon reports the following:
It is important to understand that Formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been; it is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts. Misunderstanding the nature of Formaldehyde has led to the incorrect belief that 37% Methylene Glycol is the same as 37% Formaldehyde, when in fact, 37% Methylene Glycol contains only trace amounts of Formaldehyde; less than 0.05% to be precise.
Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregon’s division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional Formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product, which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of Formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that Formaldehyde is a gas. Once again, what OSHA is actually reporting, is the amount of Methylene Glycol in the product, not Formaldehyde.
The only method that accurately measures Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products is called "13C-NMR," and OSHA did not conduct this particular type of testing. Had OSHA performed this test, they would have discovered that only tiny traces of Formaldehyde are detectable in these products, usually well below 0.0045%.
Reply
Tuesday 12 October
By Maria
OSHA’s Testing Methods Proven Faulty
October, 8 2010
Download PDF
The Oregon division of OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recent claims that samples of the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution contained between 4.85% and 10.6% Formaldehyde has been proven to be incorrect.
Doug Schoon, a leading scientist and expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations with regards to ingredient safety, consumer testing and cosmetics registrations/regulations, says that the test methods used by Oregon OSHA do not properly measure Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products. The tests conducted by OSHA actually measured a completely different substance called "Methylene Glycol," and incorrectly referred to this substance as "Formaldehyde." Methylene Glycol is the key functioning ingredient used in most professional hair smoothing treatments currently on the market.
Schoon reports the following:
It is important to understand that Formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been; it is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts. Misunderstanding the nature of Formaldehyde has led to the incorrect belief that 37% Methylene Glycol is the same as 37% Formaldehyde, when in fact, 37% Methylene Glycol contains only trace amounts of Formaldehyde; less than 0.05% to be precise.
Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregon’s division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional Formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product, which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of Formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that Formaldehyde is a gas. Once again, what OSHA is actually reporting, is the amount of Methylene Glycol in the product, not Formaldehyde.
The only method that accurately measures Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products is called "13C-NMR," and OSHA did not conduct this particular type of testing. Had OSHA performed this test, they would have discovered that only tiny traces of Formaldehyde are detectable in these products, usually well below 0.0045%.
Reply
Wednesday 13 October
By Edward
The thing is, almost all straightening products are bad but when you have this hair that is not the model type straight flowing brush your hair back and it stays type of hair you really are glad to find the Brazilian blow out. Chemicals are in everything today, but I will use this product as I have ued the older type straighteners before and just fried my hair and watched it come out in handfulls leaving you with the after care of straw. And so they lied about having formaldehyde, oh well what company doesnt lie, just check the food your eating. Oh, you already ate it? Oh well welcome to the real world!
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Thursday 14 October
By Sherry
Hmm got mine today and I too have heard about it before. I don't care, it was simple, painless and you should see my hair. I'm 51 and it looks like I'm 17 again. I had people in the salon walking up admiring my hair. THAT was worth the $150 I paid for it.
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Friday 15 October
By Lynn Aronowitz
As of this morning, until we have the final word from OSHA, we have temporarily banned this from our salon. I found out 5 minutes before my client arrived for her BB appointment. I'm really hoping this really is just a foul-up on OSHA's part because my clients all love the Brazilian Blowout. I had it done on my hair 5 months ago, and while my wave has returned, my curl hasn't, and while I was supposed to redo it after 12 weeks, only 50% of my frizz has returned. My hair still feels silky and is so manageable.
For those that have stated that even if it does have toxic formaldehyde they still want to do it again, if your stylist opts to not perform the service, please understand that for us hairdressers the risks are greater, we have to breath it in every day( i do sometimes feel a little sick after performing a Brazilian Blowout)
As for those that have stated that Keratin Complex by Copola is all natural, that is wrong information. I have co-workers that use Copola and they were told that the product did have a low dose of an Aldehyde . I've seen the ingredient list myself. Plus, if it really was chemical free it wouldn't work. I spent 9 years as a haircolor educator and artist for Redken and have become a bit of a Chem-head. The molecules in almost all "Natural" ingredients are too large to penetrate into the hair shaft. The only way to make those keratin molecules small enough to penetrate into the hair shaft is with chemicals. I recently was approached by another Copola sales rep that tried to lie and tell me her product was all natural.
The bottom line is, until there are more definative answers and results, if your a stylist performing any keratin services, please protect yourself with a face mask and offer one to your clients too. And clients if you are going to risk your health for gorgeous hair, bring a face mask with you to the salon (you can find them at a local drugstore.
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