This has probably been one of the biggest debates and a topic that is permanantely hot on the press.
I often get asked if I do Brazillians or “keratin treatments’, and my reply is always consistently No.
Sometimes over a phone call I can hear that a client is satisfied with my answer, and almost ready to hang up, and yet I find myself compelled to dig a little deeper and ask back.
“Do you know what is in the Brazillian?” Some are a littleconfused at the question, and totally unaware, whereas some understand full well.
For those who are asking, “what is she going on about” I will tell you…
The main ingredient in the Brazillian is Formeldyhde.
AKA what they use to preserve dead bodies with.
It is absoloutely toxic to the body.
You know that feeling for those who have had the Brazillian done, when your eyes start burning from all the smokey haze once the irons start getting hot on your hair, and in some salons whoever is applying the product will wear masks and gloves to try protect their lungs from breathing in the fumes and their hands from becoming blistered.
Perhaps some of you have experienced nervous system pain a week or so after?
Those are only a few of the side effects.
What about long term damage?
Some companies will brand theirs as “Organic” and with NO formeldyhde in their products.
To be very honest, I wouldn’t even take the chance in finding out.
For the product to work, there has to be some amount of formeldyhde in it.
Lets not forget our beloved SA isnt exactly über strict on what is allowed in the country in terms of any ingredients used by various companies in their products.
The Brazillian has been banned in some countries all together.
I have made my own personal decision for myself, my staff, and my clients to NOT do The Brazillian, because for me, to look and feel good is very important, but not at the risk of jeapordising ones health.
No amount of money is worth that.
I will often say to clients, rather invest with the same amount of money you would have spent to have had the Brazillian done, and buy yourself a good professional shampoo and conditioner, styling aids and perhaps a professional dryer to assist you at home when youre wanting to blow wave or iron your hair and get it nice and smooth and straight. You will be amazed at how awesome your hair will start to feel with the condition improving, and how much easier it will make your life.
For all of us, having shiny, healthy hair is what we want to achieve and what really stands out in a crowd, not pin straight hair that has gone like straw, all dry and split, and your body trying to eliminate all the harmful chemicals, just to have straighter hair.
Is it really worth it?
All I ask is to consider the facts, consider your health.
And invest in yourself wisely.