Keratin Treatment Dangers

When it comes to hair straightening, the benefits seem too good to be true. However, there are several risks associated with this treatment that you should know about before getting a Brazilian keratin treatment.

The “Brazilian keratin treatment reviews” is a hair straightening treatment that has been on the rise in recent years. Unfortunately, however, many cases of damage and even death have been caused by this treatment.

Have you tried Brazilian keratin therapy, often known as Brazilian hair straightening? Many individuals believe that since they see keratin treatment before and after photographs and read it reviews, it must be the greatest available keratin treatment. However, the results are very remarkable, especially for those with severely unruly hair. I’m not attempting to say that this medication isn’t effective for a few months, but it comes with significant health hazards.

What exactly is keratin? It’s the protein that gives your hair, nails, and skin their structure. Keratin treatments smooth damaged hair follicles, leaving you with silky, straight tresses. It sounds great until you learn that many Brazilian hair treatments include an excessive quantity of formaldehyde, which is why several nations have already banned them (including the European Union and Canada). Although they are not illegal in the United States, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a danger advisory and built a website dedicated to Brazilian hair treatments. What went wrong? When using hair smoothing treatments, stylists and salon owners complained about being exposed to formaldehyde. Air testing found alarmingly high amounts of formaldehyde in salons employing Brazilian hair straightening products, some of which were even branded “formaldehyde-free”!

Keratin treatment is expensive (hundreds of dollars on average), and health hazards are significant, particularly when formaldehyde is used. However, I’m here to inform you that you don’t have to put your health at risk for beautiful hair since there are several very effective natural solutions to enhance the look of your hair, including vitamins for hair and hair development.

What Is Keratin?

Keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in the outermost layers of the skin that is present in hair, nails, and epithelial cells in humans. The keratin definition is the same for humans and animals; however, animals may have more keratin-rich features such as hoofs, horns, wool, and feathers. Keratin is a necessary component of our hair, nails, and skin. Some keratin forms also control important biological functions, including protein synthesis and cell development.

Alpha-keratins and beta-keratins are the two kinds of keratin proteins. Alpha-keratin is the kind of keratin present in our skin and hair. The presence of significant cysteine levels, a sulfur-containing amino acid, distinguishes keratin. Cysteine is found in around 14% of human hair. Chitin is another form of organic substance that is known to equal the hardness of keratinized tissue. Exoskeletons of lobsters, shrimp, and insects, among other things, are made of chitin. Keratin is one of the strongest and most important building blocks of our hair, no matter how long or short it is.

Is Keratin Therapy Harmful to Your Hair?

Brazilian hair straightening is a semi-permanent hair straightening technique in which a liquid keratin complex and a preservative solution are temporarily sealed into hair strands using a hair iron. This kind of hair straightening is usually done in a salon and takes 90 minutes or more, depending on the length of the hair. The effects endure around three months on average. It’s vital to know that a keratin treatment isn’t a good idea if you have fine, straight hair. Most individuals who are “perfect candidates” for keratin smoothing therapy have frizzy or curly hair with a thicker structure.

Many (if not all) Brazilian keratin treatments include formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde-producing chemicals is, the most common complaint and health issue. Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen by both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Toxicology Program. According to an interview with Environmental Working Group Vice President for Research Jane Houlihan, the possible risks of hair straighteners are quite genuine and ubiquitous.

We conducted a study of 41 major salons and discovered that almost all of them use hair straightening procedures. But, according to our research, if you use a Brazilian-style keratin treatment, you’re virtually likely emitting formaldehyde.

Our bodies naturally produce modest quantities of formaldehyde, but the formaldehyde we breathe in may be hazardous. It’s present in cigarette smoke, the air surrounding unvented fuel-burning appliances like gas or wood stoves, and the air at a salon during a keratin treatment — and it’s one of the reasons Brazilian hair smoothing treatments are so harmful, not just for your health but also for your stylist’s.

In addition to cancer concerns, long-term exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to an increased incidence of headaches, depression, mood changes, sleeplessness, irritability, attention deficit, dexterity, memory, and balance impairment. In addition, male funeral directors who are regularly exposed to formaldehyde products (such as embalming fluid) are more than three times as likely to die from ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) than men who are not exposed to formaldehyde at all, according to scientific study.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, pregnant women and those who are trying to conceive should avoid keratin treatments during pregnancy because formaldehyde exposure can cause fertility and reproductive problems and miscarriage; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The salon staff is the most likely to be damaged long-term by Brazilian hair straightening procedures due to repeated exposure to formaldehyde since they execute the treatments daily. However, just because you have the therapy a couple of times a year doesn’t mean you’re completely protected.

The effects of formaldehyde will most likely be felt right now – and for months to come. Eyes that are watery and burning. A scratchy throat Nosebleeds. These are all signs of formaldehyde poisoning, and they may happen as soon as you inhale the toxins. Formaldehyde irritates your airways, making it difficult to breathe. If you have asthma, bronchitis, or another respiratory issue, you are more vulnerable to exposure. You may be more prone to adverse effects if you have a chronic ailment.

The good times don’t end when you leave the salon. When you use a heat styling instrument at home, such as a flat iron or blow dryer, when you have keratin in your hair, the chemicals are reactivated, resulting in harmful fumes. Even if you get numb to the symptoms, they continue to have a negative impact on your health. As your body works to defend itself, you can develop allergies.

Your Brazilian hair straightening most likely includes more formaldehyde than is permitted by law. In the United States, the maximum safe formaldehyde content in beauty products is less than 0.2 percent.

However, one research looked at ten different treatments and found that seven of them had formaldehyde levels that were greater than the permissible threshold; the average concentration was 1.46 percent, much over the 0.2 percent limit. This implies that both salon employees and customers are exposed to dangerous quantities of formaldehyde regularly.

Even if you aren’t undergoing a Brazilian hair smoothing treatment, you are being exposed to the fumes if your salon performs them regularly. According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration study, formaldehyde levels in the air in salons that performed keratin treatments, even those labeled formaldehyde-free, were found to be greater than what is considered acceptable.

Another research discovered that formaldehyde levels in the Brazilian hair smoothing technique reached dangerous levels for salon personnel and customers, with the Brazilian Blowout brand being the greatest culprit.

Treatments without formaldehyde aren’t always safe. As individuals became more aware of the dangers of formaldehyde in keratin treatments, firms reacted by developing “formaldehyde-free” versions of the procedure. Except when the chemical used to substitute formaldehyde — often methylene glycol — is heated, it produces formaldehyde. So, although the manufacturer may say it doesn’t contain formaldehyde, it’s really deceptive since the health hazards are the same.

Seven different Brazilian-style hair treatments were investigated in one research. Six of the seven had formaldehyde levels more than five times higher than the acceptable threshold, including five that were branded “formaldehyde-free.”

Some states and nations have already prohibited the sale of keratin treatments containing dangerous quantities of formaldehyde, but there is presently no such prohibition in the United States. Unfortunately, many salon employees and consumers are ignorant of the hazards of keratin treatments until they encounter adverse effects.

During a Brazilian hair treatment, a hair iron is utilized at a normal temperature of 450 degrees, in addition to formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde-producing substances being applied to your hair. If your hair is thin or you have a lot of highlights, this kind of heat is very dangerous and possibly harmful. It’s not difficult to locate folks who have lost hair following a keratin treatment. I’d think twice about getting a keratin hair treatment, particularly when there are so many other, safer, and healthier options to enhance your hair’s texture and look.

Brazilian Blowout Alternatives

Unfortunately, high-formaldehyde keratin treatments are still used in the United States. As a result, the Environmental Working Group and Women’s Voices for the Earth filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2016, alleging that the FDA failed to protect the public, primarily women, from the dangers of hair straightening treatments, including formaldehyde-containing products.

However, you don’t have to wait for the government to outlaw formaldehyde in hair straightening treatments to get rid of it. The apparent first step is to avoid Brazilian hair straightening procedures, but asking your salon whether they do the treatments may help you pick a salon that values both your and their staff’s safety.

Other companies, such as Cezanne’s Keratin Smoothing Treatment, are developing treatments based on sericin. This silkworm-derived chemical achieves results comparable to Brazilian-style hair treatments without hazardous components.

Best Natural Hair Treatments

From what you eat to what hair products you use daily, there are many natural methods to enhance your hair. I’m not claiming that these procedures are equivalent to a professional keratin treatment, but they do enhance your hair without the risks.

1. Eat a healthier diet

Experts will tell you that the health of your hair reflects your entire health. “It is critical to have a balanced diet that includes enough fresh fruit and vegetables,” says David Babaii, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles.

It’s also critical to include a variety of protein-rich meals in your diet daily. Why is this so important for hair health? Protein (keratin) is the fundamental component of your hair; thus, you need it to generate and maintain it.

To promote healthy hair, make sure you consume enough iron, vitamin E, and trace minerals like selenium, copper, and magnesium in addition to protein.

2. Keratin

The Brazilian keratin treatment isn’t the only technique to topically administer keratin to your hair. Natural shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments that include keratin may offer your hair a significant protein boost. In addition, you can obtain keratin’s smoothing, reparative, and even straightening advantages without the problematic substances included in most professional hair straightening treatments by utilizing these keratin-rich products daily.

You may also manufacture your own natural hair products like Natural Homemade Shampoo and Homemade Hair Detangler.

3. Hair Masks Made at Home

Want to make your own keratin treatment at home but don’t want to use any potentially harmful ingredients? There are several great nourishing hair mask recipes out there that may help tame unruly hair. They won’t last as long, but they’ll make your hair seem silkier and shinier than before.

The list might go indefinitely. Try various combinations of moisture sources like olive oil, honey, or avocado with protein sources like eggs, gelatin, or whole milk yogurt if you’re feeling adventurous. These are items that are both inexpensive and likely to be found in your kitchen. By experimenting with several DIY recipes, you could just discover the ideal hair mask. You may apply it daily after that to maintain your hair silkily, vivid, and growing strong.

4. Deep Conditioning Treatment Overnight

If your hair is dry and brittle, conduct an overnight deep conditioning treatment with argan oil once a week. Warm four to ten drops between your palms before rubbing them into your scalp. Continue to wrap all the way to the ends, twist, and cover with a shower cap. Your body heat is trapped in the shower cap, allowing the oil to penetrate while keeping the oil off your pillowcase. Wash your hair as usual in the morning, washing well until all residue is removed.

Do an overnight treatment twice a week until the dandruff is gone if you have dandruff or a dry scalp. Then, continue with weekly or as-required treatments.

5. Experiment with essential oils

Essential oils may help your hair grow stronger and healthier by promoting hair growth. They may also help with frizzy hair and scalp irritation. My Rosemary, Cedarwood, and Sage Hair Thickener formula combine three top hair-helping essential oils. Many natural shampoos with essential oils are also available. Conditioning your hair regularly may also assist in reducing frizz and make your hair seem shinier. Depending on your hair type, I use a combination of hair-healthy essential oils in my homemade conditioner recipe.

6. Make Use Of Coconut Oil

Hair is readily damaged by style and overheating; luckily, coconut oil provides hair protection. Coconut oil may help prevent hair breakage and enhance the health of your tresses. Coconut oil is a fantastic natural cure for frizzy hair, in addition to preventing damage. Warm a little amount (1/4 teaspoon to a teaspoon) in your hands, depending on your hair type. Blow-dry and style as desired after smoothing from root to tips. Your hair may take a little longer to dry, but it will be silky, lustrous, and manageable.

By applying a small amount of coconut oil to the ends of your hair, you can conceal and nourish split ends. If your hair is fine, remember that little is more when it comes to coconut oil or any other oil.

Precautions

Brazilian Blowout (Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, Professional Brazilian Blowout Solution), Brasil Cacau Cadiveu, Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy (Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment, Express Blow Out, Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment Blonde), and Marcia Teixeira continue to investigate complaints from stylists and hair salon owners about formaldehyde exposure while using hair smoothing products (Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment, Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment).

If you wish to prevent formaldehyde in your hair (or any other product), avoid anything that contains formalin, formic aldehyde, paraform, methylene glycol, methylene oxide, methanal, oxomethane, oxymethylene, or CAS Number 50-00-0. In addition, OSHA advises that some compounds, such as timonacic acid (also known as thiazolidinecarboxylic acid), might produce formaldehyde under certain conditions, such as during a hair smoothing treatment.

Whether you want your hair straightened, ask your hairstylist if the treatment they use includes formaldehyde or a formaldehyde-releasing chemical. The only method to get rid of frizz and straighten hair for a longer length of time is to use a product that includes or releases formaldehyde. If the response is “no,” the treatment either includes another smoothing substance, like glyoxylic acid, or the individual is lying to you, so check product labels carefully before using them on your hair. (10)

If you have psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, see your dermatologist before undertaking keratin treatment or other natural remedies at home.

Before using any essential oils or DIY hair masks, it’s usually a good idea to conduct a tiny skin patch test on your arm or leg to ensure you don’t have an inadequate response. If you have sensitive skin, this is very crucial.

Last Words

Keratin treatments may seem to be the solution to your hair problems, but I don’t believe the long-term consequences to your hair and your health are worth it. Even if your hair doesn’t fall out, these treatments nearly usually include formaldehyde, which should never be found in anything you put on your head. Simply inhaling a hair treatment containing this carcinogen is very harmful.

I hope you’ll think about choosing the natural approach. It will take a little more work on your part, but you’ll be able to sleep easier at night knowing your hair will look better without the significant short- and long-term harm to your hair and health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are keratin treatments dangerous?

A: Keratin is a fairly safe hair treatment. It can cause some minor skin irritation and dryness, but it should not be considered dangerous in the long term

Is keratin hair straightening safe?

A: Keratin treatment is designed to damage the hair follicles to regrow. This will cause a permanent change in your natural growth pattern, thus making it impossible to re-straighten or curl hair naturally.

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