how the formaldehyde in a smoothing hair treatment can affect you

Are Hair-Smoothing Treatments Safe? Some keratin hair products contain formaldehyde

, which is linked to problems including headaches, teary eyes, and skin rashes. Formaldehyde exposure is a bigger risk to people who work with it, such as salon workers, rather than people like Kennedy, who straighten their hair every few months.

Full Answer

What is formaldehyde in hair straightening products?

A hair straightening or smoothing solution is usually applied to human hair followed by a heat treatment that seals the solution in. These products often contain formaldehyde, also known as formalin and methylene glycol. When the solution is heated, the formaldehyde in the products is released into the air as a gas.

Is there formaldehyde in hair relaxers?

Note: There are formaldehyde-based relaxers that can be bought and used at home for hair smoothening, but many users of these products are not aware of the deleterious side effects of formaldehyde on their health. Educate yourself about the pros and cons of the product and the correct technique of the treatment before trying it yourself.

What are the symptoms of formaldehyde exposure in hairdressing?

Hair, Formaldehyde, and Industrial Hygiene. Many stylists suffered classic formaldehyde exposure symptoms such as burning eyes, nose and throat, and breathing difficulty, which for some seriously disrupted their ability to continue working in salons where the product was being used. With this California settlement,...

What are the side effects of keratin and formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde may also trigger other health side effects. Side effects from keratin treatments are not widely reported. It is not yet known how often negative effects happen. Additionally, the long-term effects of this hair treatment have not been tested.

How does formaldehyde affect hair?

Exposure to formaldehyde in hair-smoothing treatments is still causing hair loss, allergic reactions and other serious health problems.

Is formaldehyde toxic in hair products?

Most hair smoothing or straightening products release formaldehyde gas, a known human carcinogen as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, into the air during the hair straightening or smoothing process.

Does smoothening contain formaldehyde?

Now it is silky and bouncy.” Health officials say such smoothing products, often known as Brazilian treatments, may pose a hazard to stylists and users alike. That's because most of them contain formaldehyde or chemicals that release formaldehyde, which has been identified as a cancer risk.

Is smoothing treatment harmful?

The harsh chemicals used in the process of hair smoothing can impact your complete health. Our hair is very close to our skin, so it may impact our skin. The chemicals used may give you a skin rash or make your scalp very itchy. It can also cause blisters and make you feel nauseous or dizzy.

What are the long term effects of formaldehyde exposure?

Long term exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cancer of the nose and accessory sinuses, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer in humans.

Is formaldehyde in keratin safe?

Many (but not all) keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, which can be dangerous if inhaled. Formaldehyde is what actually makes the hair look straighter.

What is wrong with formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers.

How much formaldehyde is harmful?

When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels higher than 0.1 parts per million (ppm), some people may have health effects, such as: watery eyes. burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat.

How long does formaldehyde last in hair?

That's right: There's now a formaldehyde alternative. The bad news: They're not quite as powerful as the toxic stuff. Results don't usually last more than two or three months, and these treatments won't dramatically soften your curl pattern the way formaldehyde solutions can.

What is the side effects of smoothening?

Some Disadvantages or Side Effects of Hair SmootheningScalp irritation with burns and blisters.Hair loss.Hair breakage or damage.Dandruff.Excessive split ends.Headaches.Nausea.Chest tightness.More items...•

Does keratin work without formaldehyde?

Real-talk time: There's no such thing as a truly chemical-free hair-straightening treatment. For a keratin treatment to give you shiny, straighter, frizz-free hair for months, it must contain formalin or another chemical in the same family.

Which is better for hair keratin or smoothing?

BOTH THE TREATMENTS ENSURE SHINY, SOFT AND FRIZZ-FREE HAIR. THE RESULTS OF SMOOTHENING LAST FOR 2-3 MONTHS, WHILE KERATIN THERAPY RESULTS LAST UPTO 5 MONTHS. KERATIN THERAPY NOURISHES THE HAIR, REPAIRING IT FROM INSIDE OUT, AND ADDS EXTREME SHINE AND SOFTNESS TO THE HAIR.

What happens when you heat up formaldehyde?

When the solution is heated, the formaldehyde in the products is released into the air as a gas. If the salon is not properly ventilated, both the salon professionals and their clients are at risk of inhaling the released formaldehyde.

What are the health risks of formaldehyde?

The greater the exposure, in terms of both duration and concentration, to products that contain formaldehyde-related ingredients, the higher the potential health risks. Possible reactions that have been reported include eye problems or irritation, nervous system problems (for example, headaches and dizziness), respiratory tract problems ...

What happens when formaldehyde is in the air?

According to the National Cancer Institute, when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, and skin irritation.

What is hair smoothing?

Hair-Smoothing Products That Release Formaldehyde When Heated. Hair-smoothing products are used to straighten hair or to smooth out curls. A hair straightening or smoothing solution is usually applied to human hair followed by a heat treatment that seals the solution in. These products often contain formaldehyde, ...

How to report a complaint to the FDA?

Report by phone to the Consumer Complaint Coordinator at your nearest FDA district office. Phone numbers are posted on the FDA's Web page, Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Report online to FDA's MedWatch adverse event reporting system. You also may call MedWatch at 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form by mail.

What is a SDS in OSHA?

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires products with hazardous chemicals to have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), (also called a Material Safety Data Sheet) which lists the hazards associated with those products. Report bad reactions.

Is formaldehyde bad for hair?

because at high levels or prolonged exposure, formaldehyde has been linked to certain types of cancers. As hair-smoothing products increased in popularity in the late 2000’s, the FDA began receiving inquiries from consumers and salon professionals about the safety of products containing formaldehyde or related ingredients.

How many hair straightening products contain formaldehyde?

The hair straightening products that were tested and shown to contain formaldehyde are listed below. There are more than 150 hair straightening products on the market, and we do not know how many others may contain formaldehyde.

What products contained formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde was measured in the products listed below. Remember that there are many products on the market and most have not been tested, so we do not know how many others may also contain formaldehyde.

What is the lawsuit against Brazilian blowout?

The Attorney General of the State of California filed a lawsuit against a California-based manufacturer of one of these products (Brazilian Blowout's Acai Professional Smoothing Solution) alleging that the manufacturer failed to warn users about the presence of formaldehyde, as required by California regulations.

What is formaldehyde gas?

At room temperature, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. When mixed with water, it may be referred to as methylene glycol or formalin (formalin is another name for embalming fluid).

Can Brazilian Keratin be used for hair straightening?

If you are thinking of getting your hair straightened, here is some important information for you to consider. A group of hair straightening products known as "Brazilian Keratin Treatment" (BKT) may contain formaldehyde. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. People with asthma or other respiratory ...

Can you breathe in formaldehyde?

You can breathe in formaldehyde when the product is: applied to your hair, heated on your head with high temperature blow dryers and flat irons, or. being used on other customers. You may continue to be exposed to formaldehyde until the product is washed out of your hair. You can also be exposed if you use at-home treatments ...

What does formaldehyde smell like?

Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling, colorless gas. You may have smelled it if you have ever been near embalming fluid that is used in laboratories and funeral homes. Much smaller amounts are used in products.

How to make your hair smoother?

Moisturize hair regularly to help make dry hair smoother, shinier and stronger. Natural moisturizing products can help keep your hair and scalp healthy. Try products like:

How does keratin work?

Keratin treatments work by: smoothing down your hair. filling in gaps in the proteins of each hair strand. helping hair look thicker and smooth.

How does formaldehyde gas get into the air?

Formaldehyde gas is released into the air when these products are used. You may breathe in the fumes. Your body may absorb it through the skin. It may also be given off later as the product breaks down.

Does keratin make hair straight?

Advertising for keratin treatment hair products claims that it will make naturally curly or wavy hair straighter and smoother. The products are also said to remove hair frizz, improve color and shine, and make hair look healthier. This treatment can also come with some unwanted side effects, and could present some safety issues.

Can you straighten hair while pregnant?

Ask for other safer or natural alternatives to straighten hair. It is especially important to avoid formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid bringing children to beauty salons where they may be exposed to chemicals in the air.

Is keratin good for hair?

Potential side effects. Keratin is a natural type of protein in your skin, hair, and nails. This protein forms fibers that make it strong. Keratin used in beauty treatments is usually from these animal parts. While it is a natural protein, these products are made with several other added ingredients.

Why is hair smoothing not a methylene glycol?

In September of 2011, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Board determined, based on review of toxicological data, that hair-smoothing products should not contain methylene glycol/formaldehyde because of the increased exposure potential caused by the heat used during the smoothing process.

Who regulates hair smoothing products?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics, including hair smoothing products if they are marketed on a retail basis to consumers. The following is from the FDA website

What are the benefits of using a portable hair stylist?

A great side benefit is they eliminate the majority of odors accompanied by these services. They are portable so it is easy for stylists to split the cost and share one of these systems .

Is formaldehyde used in root canals?

Sadly there is a group of dis respected dentists who use formaldehyde in ROOT CANALS and pediatric dentists who use it to treat baby teeth. Myself and another lady were seriously injured from root canals and the dental regulatory boards and FDA know about it and have done nothing. Since it is considered really bad and malpractice most dentists pay off injured patients so the extent is not known. Someone needs to scream this from the mountain tops. Root canals can seemingly be done correctly but problems occur months to years down the road. Anyone up for helping us stop this too? Its scary what people use on us without our knowledge. Thanks.

Does the database address effectiveness of hair products?

Note: The database doesn’t address the effectiveness of the product though, so you’ll have to try out the alternatives to see what works best for your hair.

Does hair detangler contain glycol?

Hair detanglers do commonly contain propylene glycol (which is also an ingredient in some anti-freeze). I’d recommend looking at the EWG SkinDeep Database which rates thousands of personal care products based on the potential health impacts of their ingredients.

Who Should Avoid Hair Smoothening?

This can be especially problematic for people who already have fine hair or less volume , which is why they are advised against using this treatment.

How much does hair smoothening cost?

It does so by restoring keratin to unruly hair, enhancing its basic structure and appearance. This treatment costs around 350 US dollars and takes around 3 hours to complete.

What happens when you straighten your hair with a flat iron?

Then, when your hair is straightened with a flat iron, heat is released, which reshapes or rearranges the keratin filaments. (1) (2) The nonalkaline relaxers selectively weaken the hair’s cysteine bonds instead of disrupting the entire keratin fiber. The hair smoothening procedure involves the following:

What is keratin hair treatment?

Any hair treatment or procedure that targets the keratin protein for hair manipulation is termed as keratin hair treatment. There are many different types of hair smoothening procedures that aim to rearrange the keratin fibers to enhance the texture of hair.

What is a chemical relaxer?

The hair is drenched in a chemical solution or chemical relaxer that contains formaldehyde-releasing compounds (FRCs). The hair is washed. The water sets the keratin fibers straight with respect to each other. The FRC-containing chemical relaxer is applied all over the hair strands without touching the scalp.

What is the main component of hair?

Keratin is a type of protein that is the main component of your hair. Like any other protein, keratin is made up of several amino acids, but cysteine is the most abundant of them. Disulfide bonds connect one cysteine atom to another and hold the entire keratin structure together.

What bonds connect cysteine to keratin?

Disulfide bonds connect one cysteine atom to another and hold the entire keratin structure together. The way these keratin filaments are arranged with respect to each other and the number of disulfide bonds within them give your hair its basic structure and texture.

What Is Hair Smoothing?

Hair smoothing or smoothening is a temporary chemical treatment aimed to treat unruly, frizzy, and unmanageable hair. It uses a formaldehyde [1] solution to saturate your hair strands, which is then dried out and set in a straight position with the help of a flat iron. The procedure smoothes out the hair, and removes frizz and dryness. It is a quick fix for someone considering hair straightening.

How to smooth hair?

A. Hot Oil Treatment. This is an age old treatment for smoothening the hair. Warm any oil like coconut, olive, sweet almond, castor or jojoba for a minute or two and apply to your scalp and strands. Massaging a hot oil improves blood circulation on the scalp, provides strength to the hair and makes hair smooth.

What is the difference between straightening and smoothing?

Smoothening is a temporary process and works best for thin hair which is wavy or slightly curly. Straightening , on the other hand , is a permanent process that can treat even the curliest of curls.

What is keratin treatment?

Keratin is a hair protein that gives hair its strength. Keratin treatments are divided into brazilian blowout, keratin treatment and cysteine treatment. Brazilian blowout [ 2] is popular for a reason. It is compatible with bleached hair too.

How long does straightening hair last?

Straightening is usually done with a flat iron and the results last for a day. You can achieve super soft and straight hair. Again, remember to use a heat protectant spray so you don't end up damaging your hair.

How to get rid of hair loss from ponytails?

Do not tie your hair in tight ponytails for at least two days to stay away from damaging results. Massage your hair and scalp with coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil. Coconut oil is believed to replenish lost protein in damaged hair [ 4 ]. Apply hair masks once a while to hydrate and strengthen your hair.

How long does a relaxer last?

This treatment removes frizz and smoothens the hair. It is most suitable for wavy and slightly curly hair. The results can last up to 4-6 months. If you have a sensitive scalp, go for relaxers like guanidine hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

Why is hair straightening banned?

Hair Straightening products currently banned in Europe and Canada due to excessive levels of formaldehyde. (The manufacturers of these products would not make Safety Data Sheets available to Women’s Voices for the Earth.) Brand/Manufacturer.

Does hair straightener contain formaldehyde?

Hair Straighteners that Contain or Release Formaldehyde. Products that currently contain or release formaldehyde according to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) released to Women’s Voices for the Earth by the manufacturer in 2017.

Is formaldehyde safe for hair straighteners?

Formaldehyde in hair straightening products is still a common problem affecting the health of both stylists and their clients. Despite the public attention this issue has gotten, there has been no subsequent regulation of these products in the United States, and numerous potentially harmful products remain on the market here.

How much does it cost to get hair smoother?

These new services are formaldehyde-free; instead, they use glyoxylic acid (or its derivatives) to temporarily fuse bonds in the hair, keeping it smooth and humidity-proof for weeks. They cost anywhere from $200 to $500 (shop around—one of the treatments below started at $500 at one New York City salon, and $250 at another). Caveat emptor: These treatments can keep hair soft and totally fuzz-free, but they're not straighteners. Let's break them down.

How long does it take for a fuzzy ringlet to wear off?

But even if you stick to a strict sulfate-free regimen, the results may start to wear off in under a month.

Does curling hair reduce frizz?

The verdict: If you have curly or wavy hair, you'll likely see only a small reduction in your actual curl. But the treatment delivers serious shine and a dramatic reduction in frizz.

Is air drying hair straight?

The verdict: This treatment can take voluminous, wavy hair into seriously manageable territory. Even after air-drying, hair is smooth (though not straight).

What Should Consumers Know?

• Skin sensitization or allergic dermatitis can develop after repeated contact with formaldehyde-related ingredients. When formaldehyde is released into the air, it can cause serious irritation of your eyes, nose, and lungs. The greater the exposure, in terms of both duration and concentration, to products that contain formaldehyde-related ingredient...

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