It was over six months ago that I told you to beware the Brazilian Blow-Out, which is an expensive chemical hair straightening procedure that may present a significant health risk. Over a year ago the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to salons after confirming that the Brazilian Blow-Out product contained levels of formaldehyde that exceed safety guidelines, which is not a good thing considering formaldehyde is highly suspected of being a human carcinogen.
Surprisingly even after the FDA findings the demand remained high for the potential harmful treatment, with salons still offering the treatment to customers, despite links not only to cancer, but also to eye and throat irritation, rashes, headaches and respiratory problems. Fumes from the Brazilian blow out are so awful that masks are often worn by both the hairdresser and the victim…I mean client.
Awareness increased a little bit when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also issued a hazard warning after finding similar levels of formaldehyde in Brazilian Blow-Out to the levels in embalming fluid. Even worse some Brazilian Blow-Out didn’t even list formaldehyde on the list of ingredients despite it being present…shocking isn’t it?
Well there could finally be a bit of a break-through in the Brazilian Blow-Out saga that will hopefully make people think twice about undergoing the treatment, as well as making salon owners more informed about what the Brazilian Blow-Out actually contained. The company that makes the Brazilian Blow-Out product has agreed to alert consumers that two of its formulations emit formaldehyde gas, as announced by California’s Attorney General.
The labelling changes have been implemented to settle a lawsuit filed in November by the state of California against the Brazilian Blow-Out company, who have seen a rapid surge in business in the past few years thanks to an increase in the number of people turning their backs on their naturally curly locks.
The Californian Attorney General’s office had previously accused GIB LLC (company behind the Brazilian Blow-Out) of deceptive advertising because their formaldehyde-containing Brazilian Blowout Acai Smoothing Solution and Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution were labelled as being free of formaldehyde. Attorney General Kamala Harris said: "This settlement requires the company to disclose any hazard so that Californians can make informed choices."
The Brazilian Blow-Out makers also agreed to pay $600,000 in fines for failing to notify hair salons and clients that their products contain chemicals that are potential carcinogens. In addition, GIB LLC has to have their products tested for all toxic substances at a state approved lab. The company has already implemented the changes, as well as supplying salons with pamphlets outlining recommended safety precautions.
But trust us there are safer ways to get straighter hair, so stay tuned for later in the week, when we will be letting you into some of the secrets to get lovely straight hair at home.
- Hairbomb
