Hair straightening treatments pose danger

It’s not every day when an industry announces that one of its products might be unsafe, but that’s exactly what happened recently with hair straightening treatments in the United States. The chemical-based hair straightening treatments (including the notorious Brazilian Blowout) have been deemed unsafe, even in small quantities, by the US cosmetic industry.

One of the chemicals lurking in the products is formaldehyde, a well known carcinogen. The hair treatments can also cause difficulty breathing, and a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat.

However, the FDA still hasn’t banned the use of formaldehyde in the products. Shockingly, many hair straightening treatments are reported to be labelled incorrectly as formaldehyde-free, when they do indeed contain the chemical.

Just a few days ago, a new study confirmed the suspicions that formaldehyde used in hair smoothing treatments (including some labelled formaldehyde-free) does become airborne, exposing salon workers and customers to levels that meet or exceed government-set limits.

In April, Health Canada issued a warning against the hair straightening products for their unacceptable use of formaldehyde, urging consumers to be wary of brands fraudulently labelled as “approved”by Health Canada.

To steer of clear potential dangers, avoid chemical straightening treatments. Instead, go toxin-free by opting for natural hair care products and even hair dyes. You can also make some DIY hair treatments.