Brazilian Blowout or Keratin Complex Hair Treatment?

[boscobel]

That's been all over the news here for a week or two now.  My husband uses that at his salon, so he has a request into OSHA to come test his products too, but it's 8 months out.  So far, BB stands behind their product and questions where the product that was tested came from since it was supposedly someone who wasn't registered to even use the product.  Here's the website to go for the most current updates: http://www.brazilianblowout.com/new-press

[boscobel]

Of course a mere few minutes after I posted the link, they updated with confirmation that OSHA's tests were proven faulty.  Here's the text:

 

 

OSHA’s Testing Methods Proven Faulty

October, 8 2010

The Oregon division of OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recent claims that samples of the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution contained between 4.85% and 10.6% Formaldehyde has been proven to be incorrect.

Doug Schoon, a leading scientist and expert who works with state, federal and international regulators to develop beauty industry related standards and regulations with regards to ingredient safety, consumer testing and cosmetics registrations/regulations, says that the test methods used by Oregon OSHA do not properly measure Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products. The tests conducted by OSHA actually measured a completely different substance called "Methylene Glycol," and incorrectly referred to this substance as "Formaldehyde." Methylene Glycol is the key functioning ingredient used in most professional hair smoothing treatments currently on the market.

Schoon reports the following:

It is important to understand that Formaldehyde is not a cosmetic ingredient and never has been; it is a gas that cannot be added to cosmetics, and only exists in tiny trace amounts. Misunderstanding the nature of Formaldehyde has led to the incorrect belief that 37% Methylene Glycol is the same as 37% Formaldehyde, when in fact, 37% Methylene Glycol contains only trace amounts of Formaldehyde; less than 0.05% to be precise.

Flaws in the testing methods used by Oregon’s division of OSHA actually cause the creation of additional Formaldehyde that is not normally found in the product, which led to Oregon OSHA erroneously reporting levels of Formaldehyde that cannot possibly exist in the product, especially given that Formaldehyde is a gas. Once again, what OSHA is actually reporting, is the amount of Methylene Glycol in the product, not Formaldehyde.

The only method that accurately measures Formaldehyde in water based cosmetic products is called "13C-NMR," and OSHA did not conduct this particular type of testing. Had OSHA performed this test, they would have discovered that only tiny traces of Formaldehyde are detectable in these products, usually well below 0.0045%.

When heated to very high temperatures, Methylene Glycol can release small amounts of Formaldehyde gas into the air. Research that I have performed on Methylene Glycol containing hair smoothing and straightening products has shown, however, that as long as these types of products are used properly, and in well-ventilated areas, both Cosmetologists and their client's exposure to the Formaldehyde gas are well below the safe levels established by OSHA.

[JaimeCF2BR]

Ok after reading reviews and looking deep into this Formaldehyde controversy I've decided to get the BB done.  My wedding is still 6 months away, so if I dont like it, plenty of time for it to go away   My appointment is today!!

I'll let you girls know how it goes for fine hair! 

[Oryx]

Has anyone tried the Keratin Express blow-out?  Apparently it's cheaper, takes 1 hour, lasts for 6 weeks, and you don't wash your hair for 8 hours afterwards.   I'm wondering if this is a safer, more wallet-friendly alternative?

[boscobel]

I know that Jen_S (she doesn't sign in that often, I don't think) did the BB express and she was happy with the results. You could probably PM her to hear what she has to say.

[JaimeCF2BR]

Well its been 4 days since I got BB done, and I absolutely LOVE it!!  My stylist said he did a few things differently to adjust for my fine hair...and whatever he did it turn out perfect! 

 

I absolutely love not having to use a straighter to tame my frizz   Yay!

 

If anyone has questions, I'd be happy to answer.

[Oryx]

Thanks Carly!

 

Here's a question for everyone: if you got your treatment before the wedding, did you have to avoid the ocean/pool so that it wouldn't ruin your hair?

[MsClarke724]

I'd love to see some before and afters if anyone has them

[boscobel]

Here are two photos from my husband's salon facebook page

[JaimeCF2BR]

My before is not very good (its still damp and not brushed at all, plus I'm making a funky face!), but figured I'd share anyways.  I apparently never take pictures of myself without fixing my hair cause I can't find any good ones!  They aren't closeups, but in my March 2010 Site Visit album pics I had let my hair air dry, so you can see some frizz and waves.

 

Anyways, the after picture is with a quick blowdry only.  No round brush or straighter.  Awesome!  My stylist also suggested getting the BB 4-6 weeks before my wedding so there is some texture for an updo.