Health Canada to put the brakes on the Brazilian Blowout
Last week Health Canada released a health advisory warning against the use of the increasingly popular Brazilian Blowout Solution, stating that the formula “has been found to contain unacceptable levels of formaldehyde”.
Now if you’re as shocked as I am, you’re probably wondering why anyone would knowingly apply formaldehyde (a chemical used to embalm dead bodies) to their scalp and hair. But with breathtaking before and after pictures circulating on the Internet, many women have already taken this leap faith and are opting for this revolutionary treatment as part of their hair routines. The solution, which significantly straightens the hair also requires extensive after care treatment with stunning results lasting up to 12 weeks.
So what is a Brazilian Blowout? According to the official website:
The BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT is the most innovative and effective professional smoothing treatment in the WORLD! Through the use of a Brazilian Super Nutrient Complex and a proprietary polymer system, the Brazilian Blowout actually improves the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.The end result is smooth, healthy, frizz-free hair with radiant shine!
The website also states that the treatment contains no formaldehyde, which is in direct contrast to Health Canada’s findings of 12% formaldehyde in the solution. In addition, the FAQ section also states that the treatment works best on chemically treated hair i.e. hair that has been chemically relaxed or coloured. This would automatically make the treatment safe to use for most black women, as most of us chemically straighten our hair on a regular basis.
With many tutorials demonstrating the use of the product on Caucasian hair, it was great to find a video that showcased the product on a female with natural African hair. Below is a video of an African American woman in California undergoing the Brazilian Blowout treatment.
According to their advisory, Health Canada has received numerous complaints of “burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and one report of hair loss associated with use of the product.” With a straightening process that requires a great deal of heat to achieve the best results, there are concerns that the process may release toxic formaldehyde fumes when in contact with common heat styling tools; i.e. flat irons or blow dryers. This puts clients and stylists directly in harm’s way.
Is it worth it?
That question will have to be answered by women who are considering the treatment as well as Health Canada. Clearly this debate will require more research now and in the near future. Currently Health Canada is working closely with the Canadian distributor of the product to address concerns regarding the Brazilian Blowout and stop distribution of the product to salons across Canada. But with results such as the one witnessed in the above video; glossy, manageable, polished looking hair, I believe I can safely assume that more black women will be seeking the services of the Brazilian Blowout as a solution to their hair woes. Personally, the amount of heat required to achieve this look makes me uncomfortable. The young woman’s hair in the video was literally smoking. Also, the fact that a chemical such as formaldehyde is deliberately being applied to a living woman’s hair and scalp, really makes me worried. After my research I’ve been left wondering what next? What won’t we try to achieve ”manageable” hair? A colleague of mines suggested that I take a journalistic leap of faith and try the Brazilian Blowout on my hair, I loudly declined. Clearly there needs to be more research done on this new hair craze. To be continued.
Would you ever consider the Brazilian Blowout?
Have you tried it? If yes, what were your results?
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Health Canada always has to spoil our fun! Just kidding, but on a serious note, why on earth would you want to apply formaldehyde to your hair. Just the name formaldehyde scares me. But then again what chemicals are found in most hair relaxers that many black women use?
I believe that this is definitely too much. It has always been an attempt for black women to get manageable hair, which means hair as close to white people’s as we can get. I have done many things with my hair. Long and relaxed, natural, short relaxed, bald,colored many times, and currently I am rocking shoulder length texturized hair. Whatever you decide to do with your hair ladies, make sure you’re not putting your health at risk! Don’t be so quick to try out no formulas, and much less new proccesses without finding out what the side effects potentially may be.
Dene I completely agree with you. Ideally it would be great if all black women would wear their hair natural, however for many reasons (that’s a whole different topic on its own) we probably would never see that day. So your’e right, let’s not put our health at risk in the pursuit of more “manageable” hair.
What is wrong with black hair? The more women I see with ridicuous wigs, weaves and other fake additions…they look silly. The prettiest thing is natural hair. A black woman with her hair cut low is a stunning site – it show confidence and defiance. Wee twists are also beautiful.
Horse hair or acrylic wigs are making proud black women a slave to an image no worth their time.
Afton I have to agree I have seen some pretty ridiculous weaves, and of late front lace wigs in my day and it makes me wonder if our real hair is so “bad” that we’d rather run around in these ridiculous hair additions that definitely cheapen our look. Don’t get me wrong I can admire a woman with a well done weave and I think its a great way to change up your look, but I’ve found that well done weaves are hard to find these days especially in this city. Just my observation. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Ok first of all, as an educator for a very high end color line I have done tons of research on this. There are actually 6 different brands of brazilian treatments that openly admit to having formaldehyde in their treatment. Brazilian Blowout just happened to call themselves formaldehyde free because it meets the air quality restrictions which is under approimately 1%. The test results showed that although there’s some formaldehyde in the product, when fumes omit in the air, it registered less that the 15 THAT WAS ACTUALLY BEING BREATHED, therefore passing the tests and legally could be called formaldehyde free. It’s in nail polish, acrylic nail liquids,wood sealants, and thousands of household products that we use constantly. It’s purpose in hair products as well as nail polishes is as a hardener. I know many women that buy it in pure form to strengthen their nails. My point, where a mask and stop worrying. Ammonia, bleach, paint thinner, paint, and many other things are equally as toxic as formaldehyde. Let’s just stop breathing all together! Please!@#$%^ The best solution for environmental toxins in the air is to always ingest plenty of antioxidants into our diets and prevent ourselves from being affected.
[...] Health Canada to put the brakes on the Brazilian Blowout [...]
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