The Brazilian Blowout: Some Women Still Want It
There was an interesting article this morning on MSNBC about how some women just don’t care about formaldehyde if they can get frizz-free hair. From the piece:
“Chemicals are a way of life now,” says Stefeny Anderson, a 36-year-old event planner from Renton, Wash., who got her first Brazilian Blowout two weeks ago in an effort to tame “corkscrew curls” that frizz at the slightest hint of rain (a given in Washington state). “It’s not like you’re putting it in your hair every day.”
One thing we’ve tried to make abundantly clear is that if you know what’s in your products, and you want to go ahead and use them anyways because you like the cosmetic result, we think that’s fine. What is tricky about the Brazilian blowout, though, is that even if somene is cool with some formaldehyde, the workers are the ones being exposed to those fumes on a daily basis—to say nothing of the other clients in the salon at the time, who didn’t sign up for the BB.
Now if Brazilian blowouts were always done in glass boxes, like the weird smoking room at the airport, and everyone who walked in knew what they were signing up for—well, hey, that would be a different story.
What’s your take?
I am a stylist & am choosing to still provide the service to clients. I am scheduling the Brazilian Blowouts on Mondays only, we are normally closed, wearing goggles, a mask & gloves. I also encourage all of clients that could really benefit from the service to do some research before making the appointment. I have told them about your wealth of information & segment on Good Morning America. I want my clients to know that yes its dangerous but nothing else on our current market can give them the same results. Call me crazy for still subjecting myself to such vapors. Lets face it, thought I am taking precautions I’m sure I am still exposing myself to more than I ever need to be.
This does not mean that I am not extremely upset with company & their blatant lying.
I’ve never had one of these blow outs, and I never will (I like my curly hair thankyouverymuch), but the obvious answer to me is to have people do these themselves, in their own bathrooms. No salon workers harmed. Is the treatment so difficult that it prohibits a DIY approach?
I’m one to know humidity will kill and run curls all over… this is true. I experienced it when I was living in Caracas, Venezuela. I also know that, at the time I did not know other options than shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in products… I’d try an occasional olive oil wear and wash, and it always seemed to calm down frizz…
This summer I was back in humidity, not using the same products, but others which did worse things for my hair. My head has been clean now for barely two months and my hair is reacting quite well, not being in humidity at the moment I don’t think it makes a difference. When it comes time for me to move over to another humid area (fod good) I know I will find reliable and clean solutions for my hair.
I care too much about what I put in my body, I’m trying to avid deceases or weird excesses from appearing in my body… People tend to go with EASY and FAST not caring about the ugly consequences down the line :(
I have recently talked my mom out of getting this hair treatment. The salon promised it was all natural and harmless. Shameful.
Change of subject – has any one tried WEN hair products? Is it “clean”? Or are there other non- shampooing option that won’t dry out my hair and make it frizzy.
These are the same women who use and abuse Botox, like it is a cosmetic and not one of the most toxic substances known to man/woman. It saddens me, but it doesn’t surprise me.
UM…first of all, If the “curly” sketch above depicted my hair, I would never have wanted to change it. But women with unruly hair have always sought away to tame it and Brazilian Blowout happens to be very effective. I do support more accurate labeling and stronger requirements that stylists perform it as instructed and that the ventilation be appropriate.
Both the clients having the service, and the stylists performing it are choosing to do so; “workers” are not forced to do it. But, you make a very good point about other clients and staff in the salon while the treatments are happening.
Recent tests of salon air shows that when done properly, the amount of formaldehyde in the air is well below OSHA regulations: http://www.brazilianblowout.com/new-press. There are several other statements linked from this address in response to the recent controversy.
But for those who wish to continue doing the service, and who are concerned with providing the safest environment possible while doing so: There ARE ways to remove the fumes as they happen, therefor protecting others in the salon. See http://www.SaferBrazilian.com to learn more.
@Wendy that is terrible (but unfortunately not a rarity) that the salon told your Mom that! I do it and love it, but was never told it was “all natural” and have never claimed that anyone either. I hope you called them out on it?
I have natural curls and agree with Jordana, when I saw the “curly” sketch above all I could think was, “That’s what a curly-haired girl would look like AFTER a relaxer”. That is not a depicted of the frizz-plagued curly haired individual that would desperately want to seek chemical treatment.
Every time I go to get my hair trimmed by my favorite salon the stylist tries to talk me into the Brazilian blowout. She tells me it is all natural and harmless and will leave your hair silky and manageable. Lies, lies!
Ha, I agree about the drawing ladies. That’s totally my hair post-blowout. I just thought it was a fun illustration! :)