The Brazilian Blowout: Separating Truth from Fiction

The popular frizz reducing treatment, the Brazilian Blowout has been getting a bad reputation. Of course we all want smooth, glossy, gorgeous hair, but at what price? And is there really any danger to begin with, or is it all hype?

Over the past year, the media has had a field day with the Brazilian Blowout, a popular in-salon treatment. In a nutshell, the hullabaloo stemmed from an improperly conducted safety test, in which the products were used in a quantity that would never happen in real life, when properly used by a trained, certified professional. The conditions under which the test was conducted was faulty, producing very misleading results.

“Initially, one of the twenty-four tests conducted produced a level exceeding Federal OSHA's Short-Term Exposure Level. Immediate research revealed that the particular test was proven faulty, given it was conducted for a longer exposure time than the test required. The test was conducted once again on the same day, in the same salon setting using the proper exposure time. This test produced level falling, once again, below the Federal OSHA Short-Term Exposure Limit.”

“To date, all OSHA and Independent air-quality tests conducted on the Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution, as well as all others in this category, have yielded results ‘well below’ even the most stringent of OSHA standards.” (OSHA standards are the government regulated safety standards to which all manufacturers must adhere.)

“These air-quality test results have once again confirmed the integrity of the original Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Solution…”

The bad news is good test results don’t make sexy headlines for the media, so this information is completely glossed over (no pun intended), or ignored entirely, leaving the bewildered public in a state of confusion over the safety of the Brazilian Blowout.

As consumers, we’re right to question the quality and safety of the things we put on our bodies, skin and hair. It’s good to know that there are watchdogs out there trying to keep us safe and healthy, but perhaps it’s a bit unfair to all involved to only present one side of the story; that is the sensational, headline making sound bites, warning us of doom and gloom. So here’s the flip side of the story for you to mull over:

*Brazilian Blowout has a 100% pass rate on OSHA’s Action Limit, Permissible Exposure Limit, and Short Term Limit*

Judge for yourself if it’s for you or not, but remember, a well informed consumer is the best consumer.