Brazilian Hair Straightening - Fabulous or Fatal?

December 18, 2007 by
Nancy Lichtenstein  
Nancy Lichtenstein
Nancy Lichtenstein
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Japanese Hair Straightening  |  Keratin  |  Straightening

Fad Hair Treatment Responsible for at Least One Death

Brazilian Hair Straightening is the hottest fad to hit beauty salons since, well, Brazilian waxing. Touted as a more natural, cheaper and less labor intensive process than
Japanese hair straightening, stylists who perform this service claim it uses keratin, a natural protein, to soften, smooth and straighten hair. Before and after photos used as promotions for the treatment feature models with shiny, pin-straight tresses. The truth is, Brazilian Hair Straightening, also known as Brazilian Keratin Treatment, really does work as advertised. The only problem is, the part they don't tell you is that it can kill you!

While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used to perform Brazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient is formaldehyde (as in embalming fluid). Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive carcinogen, and its fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and moderate humidity levels accelerate the noxious effects of the chemical. Since the Brazilian Hair Straightening treatment also involves applying heat to the hair with a straight-iron, stylists who perform it are in danger, and are cautioned to wear gas masks and latex gloves and perform the procedure in an area with ventilation. Even with these precautions the FDA considers any solution containing more than .02% formaldehyde to be patently unsafe. They don't regulate the formulas, however, most of which are manufactured in Latin America, and the higher the percentage of formaldehyde, the more effective a straightener the treatment is. Random testing performed by Allure Magazine indicated that some salons were using solutions that contained as much as ten times the safe amount.

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Related information
TakeawaysDid You Know
  • The active ingredient of the straightening solution is formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
  • Most solutions contain up to 10 times the amount of formaldehyde that the FDA considers safe.
  • In March 2007 a 33 year old Brazilian woman died from the treatment.
 
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I am a stylist and a salon owner. I do not see what the big hype is over this product. I use an amazing Japanese Straightening product that does not contain any formaldehyde. When applying a chemical onto the scalp, it is being absorbed into your body. I don't mind wearing gloves, if you have to wear a mask, well, do the math!!! It is very dangerous for the client and yourself!
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Posted on 06/30/2009 at 9:06:50 PM

I meant, "My salon doesn't do acrylics either". typo
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Posted on 04/23/2009 at 10:04:14 AM

Give me a break here! did you want them to tell us a lie about the risks of using a fad product? Yeah you can make money, but think about the cost if your client takes ill and it can be linked to the treatment! Or if you have to wear a gas mask and gloves to apply it hello?!!! I am personally allergic to formaldehyde, I cannot even wear nail polish because it's the hardener used in their formulas. I don't want this product on my clients and I don't want my employees messing with it either! There is enough poison in a salon we breathe all day....BTW my salon does do acrylics either.
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Posted on 04/23/2009 at 10:04:11 AM

I'm not a stylist, but a personal trainer who knows the physiology of the body. It's important for us to remember that chemicals like this are in the foods we eat and the products we use everyday. In fact, any of us who uses artificial sweetener, (sucrose) should know that when ingested actually turns into formaldehyde. Try to swallow that one! Let's remember here that there is good reason for this chemical in treatment. Keratin proteins are a natural substance and if we want to get the most effective result, the substance needs to be fresh the moment it touches our hair. Making sure the person styling your hair is well informed about the product is key here. Ask a LOT of questions, ask to see the product and check the ingredients yourself. Be smart. Take care of yourselves!
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Posted on 03/15/2009 at 9:03:34 AM

Hi im heidi a.k.a. MISS WONDERFUL. yes all my friends call me that. anyway i have straight hair so i donno why im on this HAH!
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Posted on 02/21/2009 at 8:02:55 PM

I really don't know which of these stories to believe. Some people are saying it's a great thing to do while others are saying it could be possibly fatal. =/ I'm not exactly sure what to believe, so I guess I'll just go with my gut on this one.
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Posted on 02/21/2009 at 8:02:46 PM

I have been getting Japanese straightening every four months for six years. Throughout that time I have also been getting single-process lightening and highlights. My hair is silky, straight and healthy. The fabulous results I have had for an extended period, especially considering my highlights and lightening, disproves the myth that the japanese process damages hair. The guy who does mine, Suzuki at Sho Studio in Chicago, studied the process in Japan, does over 400 straghtenings a year and has been doing Japanese straightenings for eight years or more. He also understands the structure of hair and the properties of different chemicals and knows exactly what he's doing. I suspect that when people end up with damaged hair from the Japanese process, it's because their stylists don't understand the process as well and don't have as much experience with it. The downside of the Japanese process is expensive and time-consuming. But in the hands of someone with a lot of exper
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Posted on 12/12/2008 at 8:12:31 AM

Anna, you're narrow-minded comments show you that you are exactly like the people you are criticizing. You make sweeping generalizations about America while saying that anyone making generalizations about your country is wrong. Obviously the formaldehyde has gotten to your brain more than you think.
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Posted on 11/27/2008 at 11:11:03 PM

Ok, I had it done before and it was fine. I did it again 2 days ago and the hair is gourgeous but my scalp was itching like hell yesterday and my forehead is swollen My husband said that if gets any bigger he will get me a part in the next star Wars movie. Jokes aside, I am wondering now whether this is really as safe as I wanted (desperately) to beleive. Anyone ever heard of an allergic react ion like this?
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Posted on 10/06/2008 at 5:10:30 PM

I'm a stylist that has the option of many different types of relaxers and straightening services. My opinion is why use something that could potentially harm you when there are options that are FDA approved with results just as good if not better than the harmful ones. In my salon we have chosen to use the rusk anti frizz chemical 4 clients who want to eliminate frizz and add shine but retain their curl, the rusk anit curl can reduce curl to a soft wave or eliminate all together . Both are temporary services that last about 3 months- both formaldehyde free. If a client wants a permanent result I use the thermal straight which gives the same results as a Brazilian or Japanese service minus the harmful chemicals. And we also offer a keratin service which can improve the health and feel of the hair while getting rid of curl and frizz. All services performed in my salon are completely safe and have amazing results or I would not use them. U don't have to give up your straightenin
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Posted on 10/04/2008 at 10:10:38 AM

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