In the News – FDA Investigating Formaldehyde in Popular Hair Straightener

Snippet from the article:

In the multi-billion dollar hair care industry, “Brazilian Blowout” was a rising star. The product was touted for its ability to deliver frizz-free, straight hair and get customers out of the salon in 90 minutes. More traditional treatments can take in excess of three hours.

…

What was in it, according to a study by the Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Division, was significant levels of formaldehyde in more than half the samples tested. Trace levels were found in the air sampled from five salons.

The company behind “Brazilian Blowout” fought back, accusing Oregon of using “flawed” testing methods. It said it is pursuing legal action to get the state to correct the record on the product.

While that battle brewed, complaints were coming in across the country and around the world.

Read the full story — Hair Loss, Irritation Blamed on Popular Hair Product

I get emails all the time from women that experienced hair loss after applying chemical straighteners, and typically I assumed it was related to chemical burn or allergy. If these findings turn out to be true and Brazilian Blowout contains significant levels of a probably carcinogen like formaldehyde, it is quite alarming.