The Brazilian Hair Straightening craze has frizzy gals buzzing across the world, sending them out in search of smooth, shiny, manageable hair. But some health concerns came, as it became public, that many of these treatments contained high levels of formaldehyde. In recent years, some (but not all!) treatments used in the US have reformulated as a precaution for both the consumers and the technicians who apply the treatments (and therefore have much more frequent/prolonged exposure). Companies such as Brazilian Blowout and Keratin Complex by Coppola have researched, tested and premiered very effective formulas without formaldehyde. But some people still experience irritation from these products, and naturally want to know why.
Keratin treatment expert Jordana Lorraine has done some research on your behalf! Turns out the bonding agents in these treatments are chemical cousins of formaldehyde. They were chosen because they are effective, but cause irritation in fewer people. However, if a client or stylist is allergic to formaldehyde, it would be a wise choice to steer clear of these ingredients as well.
How would you know? You would likely have gotten a headache, rash or asthma-type symptoms during the dissection unit of Biology class, and/or after using nail polish or spending time in a nail salon. For clients with allergy, sensitivity or particular concern with regard to the hyde family of ingredients, Jordana recommends an alternative which is free off all “hyde” family ingredients.
Our hair loses sheen, flexibility and strength due to age, environment, chemical treatments and heat styling. Recondition and fortify hair with Global Keratin’s natural keratin and botanical extracts; it will be softer, shinier and in better shape than it ever was, even before the elements got to it! Global Keratin Treatment is the most versatile product on the market. It can be used to reduce frizz only while maintaining curls, or to achieve varied stages of straightness–all without formaldehyde or any related ingredients!
Here is an email Jordana received from a client for whom she performed the Global Keratin Treatment on before her summer vacation:
“I cannot thank you enough for my hair!!! AMAZING! I went to yoga…and NOTHING stood up!
I have been in Hawaii where it is beyond windy and humid and I can run my hair into my fingers NO PROBLEM! I just feel so blessed…my hair was a cause of a lot of insecurity…and now I am feeling more confident and am in love with how manageable my hair is…I have not blow-dried it once! It is beach wavy and smooth! My only regret is that I bought a 200 dollar hair straightener [flat iron] a month earlier that now I have to try to sell on ebay or something!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I actually look forward to the next time I have to come in and get it done:) Have a wonderful summer and Aloha.”
It is important to note that Global Keratin makes treatments with formaldehyde as well, so you should ask your stylist to see the bottle before the treatment; it is indicated in boldface on the label. Global’s formaldehyde-free treatment is free of any other “hyde” family ingredients.
So, why would anyone choose to use formaldehyde when an alternative is available? Well, it makes it last longer, and is an inexpensive ingredient. So if you’ve seen some super-cheap deals or too-good-to-be-true promises (6 months’ lasting time, or example) out there on keratin treatments, beware…or at least do your research on the product used and the stylist’s experience. Global Keratin’s formaldehyde-free formula gives brilliant results, leaving hair shiny and smooth. Like other keratin treatments, it relaxes the curl without making the hair stick-straight. Hair which is not naturally curly, but just fluffy/frizzy will be straight and shiny afterward. Most wavy or curly hair can be air-dried into a softer wave after the treatment, or blown straight with a fraction of the time and effort.
If you’ve been considering a keratin hair treatment, but have been hesitant due to rumors it is unhealthy, check out Jordana’s site and/or contact her for a personalized consultation!
Jordana is at Lorraine Colour Bar in Santa Monica, CA.
www.jordanalorraine.com
jordanalorraine@gmail.com
Direct Mobile Line: 310-922-2645
Two clients of Jordana’s who received the Formaldehyde-Free Global Keratin Treatment:
Before Global Keratin Treatment
After Global Keratin Treatment
Semi-permanent hair treatments are much different than Japenese hair straightening treatments. Learn more about them by comparing the Global Keratin Treatment to the Brazilian Blowout and the Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment. Whew…no wonder we get confused with all these names so similar! Do your homework, ask questions and make sure you are truly getting the brand and formula you want at the salon!
Find Jordana at Lorraine Colour Bar in Santa Monica, CA.
www.jordanalorraine.com
contact: 310-922-2645
Twitter: JordanaLorraine
Looking for an alternative to GKT? Brazilian Blowout™ is now free of formaldehyde and all hyde family ingredients (as of April 2010), as shown on their website www.brazilianblowout.com. Read our report: BIG NEWS: Keratin Hair Treatment, Brazilian Blowout™ in Now HYDE-FREE!
Not ready for the commitment of a keratin treatment? Try an at home anti-frizz system for hair: Living Proof Straight Making Styling System ($34 Value)
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I recently had the treatment on my hair and I hate it! The ends of my hair are frizzie. Do you have any ideas on how to get it out of my hair, It has been 6 weeks. I am afraid my hair has been damaged. FYI: I am using the shampoo and the rejuvenol.
@Mary It is always a good idea to get a second opinion. You can also get a feel for a different salon’s and stylist’s confidence and experience. 4% is quite strong and i would definitely think twice before taking that leap. Also consider that they are compatible over one another. I think it would at east be worth trying the 2 first, and if it’s not strong enough, perhaps you could go for the 4% the next time. Good luck!
@Tamara I;m sorry to hear you are unhappy with your hair. The treatment itself has no potential for damage, as it is in a conditioning cream base. It is more likely that too little solution and/or too much heat was used for your hair type. I would not recommend mixing products (you mentioned using rejuvenol), but rather to return to the salon and ask for a reparative treatment or at least a compatible deep conditioner you can use at home. Best of luck!
Had the brazilian keratin treatment this past June. My question is, could this treatment cause more breakage to the hair? I am noticing more hair loss and breakage. What do you suggest I do to stop this from continuing?
Thankyou
@Lillian I sorry to hear if your experience. Do you know which keratin treatment you had? You can ask at the salon if you don’t, they shied have a record of it. Did you see a Doctor to have your scalp or hair analyzed when the problem began? Also, did it happen right after you had the treatment?
Unfortunately, three plus months later, it may be tough to diagnose or treat. In any case, I would find out what you had done, make sure the salon and manufacturer kniw if the oribkem, and not do that treatment again.
Best of luck!
Dear Sirs,
I have a baby, she’s 3 years old and she has a very curly and frizzy hair, and I would like to apply keratin on her hair, so please advise me the best type for her and the percentage of formaldehyde included.
Thanks a lot
Hind
Mr. or Ms. Elkhouly,
None of these products, nor any chemical treatment, are appropriate for use on a child of 3 years. Please look into conditioners and styling products for her.
Best of luck
Jordana Lorraine
I have ashma and short of breath and take a lot of medicines. I am afraid that will put me at the hospital
@Maria it sounds as though fumes of any kind could be troublesome or even dangerous and I would recommend you avoid them.
hello,
I recently had the treatment done and my hair didnt turn out very straight at all, its just as wavy as it was before although it is very soft. I left it in 4 days instead of 3, is it possible that because i left it in too long it didn’t work on my hair? thank you for your answers.
I had Global Keratin Treatment twice and I love it. The only problem I had was-hair fall which was quite bad. I used Kerastase Aminexil solution and it helped. For those with thin hair to begin with, beware of getting a bit bald.
Can you loose hair with the Keratin Complex, as people have stated w/Global Keratin. Can hair loss happen w/Brazillian Keratin Treatment or Brazilian Blowout? & why would hair loss occur??
Thanks
I have had the Global Keratin with Juvexin in my hair for 4 months and I love my hair. The keys is keeping your hair hydrated with a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioners. Try the “Naked” by Essations Honey & Almond moisture whip. You have to do maintainance on all hair no matter if you have keratin treatment or not. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate the hair and I can garantee your hair will grow healthier. Master Stylist in the ATL….
@Merry There have been a few reports of hair loss related to various (often unspecified) keratin treatments. Unfortunately, none have been backed up with any evidence or medical records, and the ones I have encountered have not known or wanted to share details that would help me understand how it could have happened. None of these treatments should be applied to the scalp, so I don’t really see how they could cause hair loss if applied properly. One company I trained with did stress their gentle shampooing technique out of concern for scalp health, so I suppose that could be a possible culprit. My best advice would be to research a stylist thoroughly before scheduling your appointment. Check Yelp and Citysearch for reviews and testimonials, interview the stylist during a consultation prior to your appointment, etc. Good luck!
@Sierra Thank you for your comment. It’s great to hear that you and your clients are loving Global Keratin! I am curious, why not recommend the GK hair care line? It protects and prolongs the results of the treatment using Juvexin to enhance the hair with every wash.
Do you recommend the Global Keratin treatment for black hair types?
I do recommend the Global Keratin with Juvexin shampoo and conditioner but some people have a hard time finding it so i recommended a product that i found to work great.
@MissG Good question! GK Hair makes 3 strengths of treatment; the one shown in this post would be too mild to make a difference on very curly or kinky hair, however the Curly or Resistant formulas could work well. The best thing to do would be to find a stylist near you who offers it and have a consultation with them, so that they can see and analyze your hair and make a recommendation. Good luck!
@Sierra Whoever your local distributor is, that you buy your GK solution from, should be able to provide you with the accompanying shampoo and conditioner, and you can in turn sell it to your clients. No, they can’t just pick it up at CVS, but that’s a good thing; you want them to come and see you, check in, let you see their hair and get the proper products to maintain their treatment.
The GK Hair shampoos and conditioners contain Juvexin just like the treatment, so their results are enhanced with each use.
Jordana, are the GK shampoo and conditioner formaldehyde-free? I guess it only makes sense in the treatment but just in case….
@Marta the ingredients of the shampoo and conditioner have never been called into question for GK or any other brand that I know of, and are listed on the bottles as is required for any home use product. So once you find a GK salon in your area (mine of course if you are in Los Angeles!) you can check the ingredients for anything you might be concerned about, before buying.
I am a black women and received the global keratin treatment about 2 weeks ago. My hair has been shedding and it seems to not get very straight after shampoos. How long should I wait to return to perming my hair?
@MissG I am sorry to hear about your experience. I would recommend talking with both your stylist and the company about the shedding and when you can have a perm.
It is important to note that GK is not a straightener, especially if you had the Light formula as discussed in this post, which is defined as follows by the company:
“This formula will maintain the natural waves or curls. It will cut styling time in half and provide long-term conditioning and protection.” If you were misled as to the straightening powers, that is something else to take up with your stylist.
I’m sorry to hear that GK is not for you, and I hope you find the right solution to your dilemma.
Hi:
Can you recommend some places in New York New York City, Queens, Long Island that have the Keratin treatment and the Brazilian Blowout without the formaldehyde. Does the Keratin treatment last longer? What is the difference between both. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lisa Krause
@Lisa We are in California and unfortunately do not have personal knowledge of what salons in your area may carry. Brazilian Blowout and Global Keratin are two of at least a dozen brands of smoothing treatments on the market, many of which offer multiple formulas (BB has two, Global has three) with different ingredients and/or or different results. Please sure this post to help you research and choose a treatment and a stylist:
http://amominredhighheels.com/keratin-treatment-choose-stylist/
Word to the wise: do not use rejuvenol w collagen! I did and was severely ill th following weeka aftr th treatment, i now use global or coppola.
Jordana I am African-American with 4a-4c type hair I believe, well basically my hair has small tight curls. I have relaxed hair and less than an inch of natural new growth. I want to discontinue using a relaxer or perm altogether and grow my hair out naturally. However, I do not want to do the big chop. I don’t want to cut off The relaxed ends until my hair grows at to the height it is now which is below shoulders. I’m am highly interested in a keratin treatment that is Hyde- family free that will help both hair textures to coexist and grow out heathy. Please offer me your best suggestions as far as treatments, aftercare, etc. Let me know what you think would be the best thing for me I would prefer asking you versus another stylist because I know you are good at what you do. Please offer your thoughts.
Oh and just so that I come across clear Jordana, I would like to grow my hair out naturally and little by little cut the relax ends off. I know you’re probably saying in your head that the keratin treatment is a contradiction to growing my hair out naturally because it not completely natural but I understand that the treatment is not permanent compared to a relaxer, perm, texturizer or Japanese straightener. Am I wrong? I figure if I use the treatment (well one you recommend) to straighten or loosen natural curls I can reduce breakage or stop damage completely as my hair grows out because like I said in my first post I understand that I would have two different textures in my hair but I would like to find a solution that would help them to coexist so I can reduce damage and or breakage to my hair and so I would not have to do the big chop but rather i could cut the hair gradually as it grows little by little. I’m hoping that with this method I’d have a full natural head of shoulder length hair in about 3 years or so. Hopefully this 2nd post helps you to understand what I am looking for rather than confuse you. Thank you so much!!!
@Rachel I’m afraid that this is not the answer for you. Not only is a keratin treatment not growing your hair out ‘natural,’ but it also will not straighten it nearly as much as your relaxers have–especially anything that is hyde-free. My recommendation would be to visit some local stylists whoa re familiar with your hair type as well as the treatments that are available. For tips on finding a stylist, see this post: http://amominredhighheels.com/keratin-treatment-choose-stylist/
But the keratin treatment can eventually be removed with shampoo and conditioner with sodium in it. Am I wrong?
@Rachel the stronger the treatment, the more it will linger in the hair. The gentler the treatment, the less it will do to change (straighten) your hair. As you have described it, your hair is very very curly where it is new at the root, and the rest if your hair is chemically straightened. I stand by my suggestion to consult with a local stylist; one who is familiar with your hair type and the type of treatment you want, and who can see and analyze your hair and make a recommendation based on her findings. I’m afraid this is not a simple cut-and-dry situation that I can advise on via blog.
Jordana, I really want to thank you for what I have found to be the BEST website with information about Global Keratin. I just had the GK Resistant treatment done for the first time yesterday. I have mid-back length hair that is relaxed with the exception of the approximately 1 1/2 inch of new growth.
I am half Lebanese and have type 4c hair. In fact, I had an afro for the first 22 years of my life since I had no idea how to straighten it. Now, at 44, I have relaxed my hair for the past 22 years. What I always disliked about my relaxed hair is that if I didn’t go to the salon and get it blow dried and flat-ironed, the only other option I had was to wash it and throw it back while wet into a ponytail. I have so much hair that trying to style it myself was taking me at least 2 1/2 hours and never turned out the way I wanted it to turn out. Whenever I left my relaxed hair down to dry naturally, no matter what type of hair products I used, it would look great for the first couple of hours and then would just grow to this huge mess of frizz.
My hopes are that with the GK treatment I will be able to style it myself, or even better, let it dry naturally and it will not frizz. I purchased the GK moisturizing shampoo and the 4 conditioner. I also purchased some Morroconoil from my stylist. Are there any other products that I can use, like mousse, that will help me achieve the natural wave without the frizz? I understand that most products will strip the GK treatment.
Also, I was told that the GK treatment I was using was formaldehyde-free. From what I am seeing, the GK Resistant treatment has 4% formaldehyde? Am I correct in saying that?
The result I am seeing one day after the treatment is that my hair is not as shiny and healthy as it looks when I get a Mizzani relaxer done. However, I realize that my hair had to be flat-ironed completely straight and wasn’t able to be “bumped” or curled on the ends, leaving my hair looking very blunt. My plans were to not wash it for a week. Would you say after 48 hours I can curl the ends or pull it up in a ponytail? I understand that for the frist 48 hours it must be absolutely straight or the curls or bends will be permanent.
I know I have a lot of questions. Your expertise in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!
@Valerie I will be very curious to hear how your hair turns out, once you wash and style it. The company recommends doing so after 48-72 hours, so I would recommend abiding by that. Is your stylist having you back in the salon for the first wash and blowdry? Of course this is not necessary, but may be helpful as she can tutor you on how to work with your hair in its current state.
GK treatments, even the Resistant formula, are not designed or advertised as straighteners, so I do hope that your results are in line with your expectations. It is not likely to straighten your roots as much as the relaxer has straightened the rest of your hair, nor will it bring wave back into the previously relaxed hair. 4c is intensely kinky hair, and I’m not sure how GK will perform on it, especially when compared to a true relaxer.
As for the content: this blog post is over 2 years old, since which time GK has repackaged (and possibly reformulated, but I’m not certain.) None of the bottles say “formaldehyde-free” anymore (the gentlest one used to, but the strongest one, which you had, never did.) I will check my bottles and report back, but it is my understanding that at least the stronger two formulas (Curly/Colored and Resistant( do contain methylene glycol. This is NOT formaldehyde, however it does produce formaldehyde when heated in the manner it must be to perform the treatment. Whether or not it is accurate, legal, or ethical to label this as “formaldehyde-free,” is exactly the battle being faced by the keratin/smoothing industry right now.
On the topic of aftercare: no conditioner or styling product will harm or strip your treatment, but it is great that you got the GK shampoo as it is free of stripping agents and also contains ingredients to help enhance your results. I am not familiar with 4 conditioner, but GK does make a deep treatment that i great. I think your stylist would be best equipped to recommend styling products, once she can see your new, post-treatment texture.
I hope this is helpful to you and anyone else who reads it! Please do report back on your results.
Jordana,
I am back to report on GK resistant treatment 4 days after application. I am totally amazed by the results of the treatment. I washed my hair with the GK shampoo and conditioner this morning and put Morrocanoil on after. I let my hair air dry. The only thing I had to do was curl the ends. I do want to add that my hair is down the middle of my back and has been relaxed for the past 22 years. I had been using Mizzani relaxer and unless I went to the salon and had it blow-dried and flat-ironed I wore it back in a ponytail because my hair was too thick and long for me. My hair was impossible to manage myself. I was never happy with the results when I styled it myself. However, after the GK treatment styling my hair was a breeze because it dried quickly on its own and only had to have the ends curled.
All my life I just wanted to have “normal” hair and with the GK treatment I finally have that.
If anyone reading this is having doubts, don’t. My hair is beautiful. The silky smooth texture is amazing! You will be so happy with the results!
Thank you,
Valerie
Thank you for the report, Valerie! I am glad to hear that you liked your GK Resistant treatment.
Mane Sophistication Hair salon is having a special on the GK keratin treatment in Atlanta GA…book your next appointment online or by calling 678-485-2474. You will love your hair!!!!!
I am an afro american and have used perms on my hair for years. I am considedring a Keratin treatment but have several concerns. My hair is color treated and currently has perm on it. I have thinning hair in the crown and a little around the front. I am highly allergic to sulfur and do not want any formaldehyde products. Is this treatment for me?
@Brenda I’m afraid that no formaldehyde-free keratin treatment will make a significant change in your hair. However, Pravana Perfection SmoothOut does advise that their product works well on African-American hair with a 30 minute processing time. It works slightly differently from how the keratin treatments do, but I would not expect it to remove as much curl as the perms have been. I would recommend contacting Pravana to find a stylist near you who is trained and experienced with their product.
Hi Jordana,
I had the GK treatment about 3 weeks ago while on vacation in Florida. When I got home, I went out to find a sodium chloride/sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. I ended up getting the Coppola Keratin Complex Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. Since using it I’m noticing very large flaking of my scalp. Is that a normal reaction to the GK treatment or to the Coppola shampoo and conditioner? I ABSOLUTELY love the results of the treatment, but the flaking is a bit gross. Do you recommend I get the GK shampoo/conditioner instead? Thanks in advance. Wish I lived in CA… you sound like the best in the biz
@Lauren You are so kind–thank you for the compliment! It would be tough to say which you are more likely getting dry skin from, but that is common this time of year, as well as with climate changes such as a vacation to FL. The GK shampoo and conditioner are best suited to protect and enhance your GK treatment, so I would recommend getting those, and hopefully the flaking will balance out. If you recall the treatment being applied to your scalp (it should really be applied carefully to the hair but not directly on the scalp like color is,) you may want to try some cortisone to calm it, especially if it is itchy as well. Check back in and let us know how it turns out!
She is Lauren! Jordana is truly THE expert in the field, very knowledgeable and willing to test and retest product herself so she can really get to know it!
I like The Brazilian Blowout. It is certainly the most tested and passed all tests by Federal OSHA and was completely exonerated by a comprehensive study performed University of Southern California(USC)…..http://brazilianblowout.com/pdf/Reuters_USC_Study.pdf
Also confirmed by a journalist Lawrence Meyers “Did the media get it wrong?”
» The Brazilian Blowout Hoax, Part 1: Rigged OSHA Study Creates MSM Hysteria – Big Government
So actually REAL science shows the Brazilian Blowout to be safe. Hysterical rumor mongering by the modern equivalent the old witch hunters gleefully spread lies. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt)
Perhaps your readers should do some research on ‘fear mongers’ as in The Inquisition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition)
Remember witch hunters and Inquisition members were the ‘authorities’ of the day and they were lying Bullies just like today’s equivalent http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/bully.htm
If you are interested in truth, facts and your health check out these sites.
Falsely spreading fear HAS been proven by REAL science to cause REAL illnesses(http://harvardmagazine.com/2005/05/the-nocebo-effect.html ) . So that unethical supply rep, dishonest government agencies and competitors are FAR more dangerous to your health and your livelihood.
Watch out ladies they all contain chemicals that can cause cancer and the FDA actually does regulate such products as they are not just Food and Drug as you mention above it would be worth you checking out their website so you know what you are talking about….
see the law suit just posted on ABC news:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/brazilian-blowout-maker-agrees-labeling-15475750#.TydGF2BB6cc
Straight hair may be pretty but is it worth the cancer?
@ “Warning” Thank you for your input and concern. Please note that this article is 2 1/2 years old and refers to products that are no longer in production.
The company Global Keratin is still in business, and labels all treatments with ingredients and MSDS.
Brazilian Blowout’s current formula and packaging also shows a full ingredient list, as well as a warning about formaldehyde exposure. MSDSs are available to all certified stylists and salons.
Lastly, I will refer concerned readers to a page I have created showing an excellent air filtration system, designed specifically to remove fumes as they are created, protecting clients and staff: http://www.SaferBrazilian.com
Jordana Lorraine » Thanks again for clarifying the points Jordana!
Methinks there must be some underhanded politics somewhere.(Soros is putting anyone who disagrees with global warming on a hit list)
In socialist countries where the press is simply the government mouthpiece and the truth is forbidden…I would expect such reports. The paragraph below was copy and pasted from the OSHA report that caused the nastiness.(BB also posted this on its website)
This is from the OSHA report :
Oregon OSHA also conducted air monitoring during treatments using the Brazilian Blowout smoothing product at five different salons where a single treatment was conducted over the course of the day. Averaging over an eight-hour period, worker exposures ranged from 0.006 parts per million (ppm) to 0.331 ppm. These compare to a permissible exposure limit of 0.75
So the TRUTH is that the Brazilian Blowout is twice as safe as required by their stringent standards.
And…from a science paper Monitoring Formaldehyde in Indoor Air..Jay F. Kunze
Professor
College of Engineering and Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering
Idaho State University
In addition, human breath contains formaldehyde; concentrations of 0.3 to 0.6 ppmV have been reported in breath from healthy women (Ebeler 1997).
So, according to science, news reporters and fear mongers are breathing out more formaldehyde than a BB.