Personal Injury Law

Want Hair Like Your Favorite Celebrity? Try Using Formaldehyde.

By Jamie G. Goldstein

The quest for the perfect blowout may have put some women at risk. The 'Brazilian Blowout' has been raved about by magazines and celebrities as a hair smoothing and straightening treatment. The keratin based treatment costs around $250 in salons. However, recent tests show that the popular salon treatment may be hazardous to your health as it contains up to 12% of formaldehyde. Topical beauty products that contain less than 1% are typically considered unsafe for use.

Tests were conducted after customers receiving the treatment in Oregon experienced health effects such as sore throat, runny or bloody nose, and burning and watery eyes after receiving the treatment. Others experienced hair loss and shortness of breath. Users of the Brazilian Blowout as well as stylists are worried about the future health effects of formaldehyde exposure. Chronic exposure can lead to lung problems and increased risk of cancer.

The makers of the Brazilian Blowout label their product as 'formaldehyde free'; a clever attempt at consumer deception. The heat required to use the product may causes chemical reaction releasing the hazardous chemical. The makers maintain that the test results mislabel the methylene glycol ingredient as formaldehyde. However, tests on the product conducted in Canada yielded similar results. Those thinking of receiving the treatment may want to not pack away their blow-dryers and hair-straighteners just yet.

Full post as published by Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer on October 19, 2010 (boomark / email).