Formaldehyde testing results for brazilian keratin blowout companies
Now that the heat’s been turned up on Brazilian Blowout, the beauty industry is taking a closer look at all the players in the brazilian keratin blowout industry. These reports were just sent to me by somebody who recently tested key brazilian keratin blowout industry players, including Keratin Complex and Global Keratin. I actually understand the desire for anonymity–the industry is currently having a collective heart attack, fingers are being pointed, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. Methinks it’s going to get ugly.
Click here to view the formaldehyde testing results.
The brands tested were Keratin Complex, Global Keratin, Marcia Teixeira, Brazilian Gloss and Simply Smooth.
The “results” column is the smoking gun–here you’ll see a large number (such as 15000000) under the formaldehyde and acetyaldehyde testing. Formaldehyde is tested in parts per billion; the limit considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel is 2 million parts per billion, which equals .2%. Divide the result by 1 billion and you’ll get the percentage of formaldehyde. In case you can’t view the PDF for whatever reason (or still find yourself confused), the results of these tests conducted in the past 2 weeks are as follows:
Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy: 1.5% formaldehyde = 7.5 times higher than the safe limit
Keratin Complex Express Blow-Out: 1.6% formaldehyde = 8 times higher than the safe limit
Global Keratin Chocolate Formaldehyde-Free: 1.5% formaldehyde = 7.5 times higher than the safe limit
Marcia Teixeira Chocolate Extreme Defrizzing Treatment: 1.9% formaldehyde = 9.5 times higher than the safe limit
Marcia Teixeira BKT: 2.6% formaldehyde = 13 times higher than the safe limit
Brazilian Gloss: 6.5% formaldehyde = 32.5 times higher than the safe limit
Simply Smooth Keratin Treatment: .93% formaldehyde = roughly 4.5 times higher than the safe limit
Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Replenishing After-Color Lock: .55% formaldehyde = 2.5 times higher than the safe limit
Simply Smooth At Home Smoothing Treatment: .08% formaldehyde = roughly half the safe limit
Simply Smooth Keratin Calming Balm: .045% formaldehyde = roughly 1/5th the safe limit
Brazilian Gloss and Global Keratin market themselves as formaldehyde-free. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that Simply Smooth At Home Smoothing Treatment, which is below the safe limit, is for an at home spray–it’s still nearly .1% formaldehyde, which you would not want to spray in your eyes, nose, ears, etc.
I couldn’t find anything on the Keratin Complex website saying “formaldehyde-free,” but a quick internet search of “Keratin Complex formaldehyde-free” yields thousands of results, so somehow Keratin Complex enjoys a formaldehyde-free reputation that does not appear to be warranted.
In fact, it appears that none of these brands have yet come under scrutiny for potentially unsafe levels of formaldehyde–which, again, is a human carcinogen.
More to come soon.
The Brazilian Blowout Formaldehyde Controversy (Jezebel, 10/7)
The Brazilian Blowout Formaldehyde-Free Controversy Continues (Nadine Jolie, 10/6)
Brazilian Blowout’s Formaldehyde Statement (Nadine Jolie, 10/4)
Is the Brazilian Blowout Really Formaldehyde-Free? (Nadine Jolie, 9/24)
Tags: Brazilian Blowout, Brazilian Gloss, formaldehyde testing, formaldehyde-free, Global Keratin, keratin, Keratin Complex, Marcia Teixeira, Simply Smooth, straightening
October 8th, 2010 at 6:14 am
[...] Brazilian Blowout isn’t the only formaldehyde-containing straightener on the market, says Nadine Jolie, who has been all over this business, and just posted these lab [...]
October 8th, 2010 at 11:27 am
[...] keratin blowout industry. These reports were just sent to me by somebody who recently tested key Read more Share and [...]
October 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
[...] keratin blowout industry. These reports were just sent to me by somebody who recently tested key Read more Share and [...]
October 8th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
oh man! I had wanted to try a brazilian blow out, guess it’s a good thing I haven’t done it!
October 10th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Indeed formaldehyde is a key component in sealing the keratin, I don’t how people say that it’s dangerous if it’s such in a small proportion.
I’ve been using Maxliss Keratin along with their line of Taip products and I’ve never had any problems.
October 11th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
[...] More on the controversy, including testing results for other brazilian keratin treatments. [...]
October 12th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
It is very important to understand that the concern here is about the vapors created when the keratin product is ironed (heat bonded) to the hair. These products do not need to meet the FDA safe level for an aqueous formaldehyde solution because it is not to be applied to the skin, therefore there should be no absorption issues. The percentage of .02 is recommended for products designed to be applied to the skin and scalp.
It is important for every stylist who performs these treatments to use proper ventilation. I use a Source Capture System by Aerovex. This system captures the fumes as they come off the ironed hair. This keeps the vapors from entering my breathing zone.
I will not perform any of these treatments without the use of the source capture system.
I also strongly recommend that stylists use only those products that come from manufacturers that register a complete MSDS on their product AND a complete list of ingredients. I highly recommend that stylists stay away from brazilian blowout because of their consistent lack of information. They have a vague, almost non existant MSDS and they do not list or disclose their ingredients. I have heard their “patent pending” line for a couple of years.
October 15th, 2010 at 8:06 am
How come the safety data sheet in front of me says that the BKT treatment has less than 2.0% methelene glychol in it? That is the ingredient that emits the formaldehyde when touched with heat. Is my safety data sheet wrong?
October 15th, 2010 at 8:08 am
That 2.0% is actually meant to say 0.2% in my previous question.
October 15th, 2010 at 10:02 am
BREAKING NEWS: OSHA and HSA confirm Brazilian Blowout is SAFE for clients and stylists! http://bit.ly/aPYnAC
October 15th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
[...] really pisses me off about this story is not that Brazilian Blowout bottles contain formaldehyde. All of the brazilian keratin treatments currently on the market contain formaldehyde. It’s not safe, but at least they’re giving consumers the information necessary to make [...]
November 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I had been using Keratin Complex and was fairly happy w/home shampoo, conditioner etc. I finally found a hairdresser who had a special for the Brazilian Blowout. WOW! Love the results; no more frizz and minimal wave. But…a week later, my forehead was bump on bump. Then, my hair was falling out as I rubbed my hands through my hair in the shower and blow drying and brushing. Thank goodness my hair is thick. I had a handful of hair falling out!!!!!!! My friend called me to tell me about the latest BB controversy. I immediately stopped using the product. Within the week, my forehead cleared and my hairloss is normal. I would not recommend the BB. It’s not worth compromising our health ladies!
November 8th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Official test results from Brazilian Gloss were just released!
http://www.braziliangloss.com/Now_Made_in_USA.html
They are now made in the U.S. AND formaldehyde free. Plus it is still the only low-heat formula available so you can achieve frizz-free and shiny hair WITHOUT extra damage and WITHOUT suffocating gas emissions from the heat of the flat iron making contact with the product.
December 16th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Thanks for posting the formaldehyde stats. it’s just what I was looking for.
January 4th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
I have finally found the perfect solution!
The first keratin brazilian treatment kit.
I did it by myself and the result is exactly as the one I’ve done 6 month ago.
No more frizz, shining hair and by far less expensive than my hairdresser.
I’ve bought this product on internet at “www.keraline.us”
By the way, it’s formaldehyde free
July 7th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Im a well know hair stylist in Boca Raton, Fl, and in my salon I use the Natura Organic Formaldehyde-Free Hair Treatment System. And the results and exactly the same as the leading brands that contain outrageous amounts of formaldehyde. The Natura Organic Formaldehyde-Free Hair Treatment System is truly safe and, by using this product you will avoid the dreaded itchy nose, lung pains and, the rest of these horrible symptoms.
August 17th, 2011 at 3:11 am
Keratin Hair Treatment…
Nadine Jolie » Blog Archive » Formaldehyde testing results for brazilian keratin blowout companies…
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:52 pm
keratin hair remedy…
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