FDA Blasts Brazilian Blowouts

Better late than never.

Following in the footsteps of Australia, Germany, France, Ireland and Canada, the United States Food & Drug administration has officially acknowledged that the Brazilian Blowout, a haircare product, is dangerous. But while the aforementioned countries have banned the pricey mane-straightening treatment from its shores, the FDA is giving the Brazilian Blowout until mid-September to shape up -- or risk being pulled from store shelves.

At the root of the problem is the dangerously high level of liquid formaldehyde in the product, known to cause nervous system disorders, chest pain, vomiting and rashes (to name a few). The FDA confirmed that some Brazilian Blowout samples contained up to 10.7% of the offending chemical. Time notes that the Cosmetics Ingredient Review Expert Panel considers 0.2% to be a safe level.

The FDA also determined that Brazilian Blowouts are "mislabeled" because the bottles incorrectly state "No Formaldehyde" or 'Formaldehyde Free." A report by the Environmental Working Group determined that 68% of top U.S. salons use "formaldehyde-based hair solutions," according to California Watch.

In an August 22 letter addressed to the Mike Brady, the CEO of Brazilian Blowout, FDA acting director Michael W. Roosevelt outlines the chief complaints against the hair smoother and says,

"You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of the violations identified above and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility as a manufacturer to ensure that the products your firm markets are safe and otherwise in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements."

In response, Brady told Today that the whole thing is just a "misunderstanding" and that "we are delighted to be working with the FDA in demonstrating that the Brazilian Blowout complies with both state and federal guidelines."

The effects of a Brazilian Blowout straightening treatment can last up to 12 weeks, according to its site, which means that some women would only need to visit the salon four times a year (a little pain in exchange for beauty isn't unheard of). But for a salon worker, the effects of repeated exposure to the burning chemicals could be devastating.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Jennifer Goeres-Arce, a stylist in Escondido, California, says "I went to the doctor and was put on an inhaler" two months after she started treating her clients with the straightener. Her testimony was entered as evidence in California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris's request for an injunction against Brazilian Blowout, notes WSJ. The case was filed in Alameda County Superior Court on April 6, 2011, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Depending on whether Brazilian Blowout can get its act together before September ends (which is not looking likely, judging by their CEO's utter denial of a problem), you either have a few days left to get your final stateside Brazilian blowout -- or you can sit back and let the carcinogenic product (and unrealistic expectation for stick-straight hair) fade out. Celebrate those curls!

Comments

[HerrMonk]

05:39 PM on 09/13/2011

Get the labels complaint (truthful), then let people do whatever they want with their hair.

[BodyIngenuity]

07:50 PM on 09/12/2011

For those of us working in scientific labs, we've known for decades that formaldehyde is very toxic. Sadly, it only just recently made the government's list of "possible carcinogens" and still continues to be used in every day products. Unfortunately most consumers have no idea what products have it. Having been overexposed to formaldehyde and experiencing the side effects first hand, it's not a chemical to take lightly. It can cause a number of serious health issues.

[HHUA]

02:30 PM on 09/12/2011

"the FDA is giving the Brazilian Blowout until mid-September to shape up -- or risk being pulled from store shelves."

Yeah, that'll help the women whose health has ALREADY been negatively affected (probably thousands)!!!

The moral of the story? If you're a business (ie "corporation") you are ALLOWED to poison people with impunity and given time to "shape-up" (years in many cases before anything is ever done!!). Whereas if you are a "person"... well, try poisoning someone with formaldehyde and see what happens?!!

THIS is just one example of why corporations are NOT PEOPLE (the world according to Republicans)...and why REAL people need to vote out these corporate shills who are "paid off" to look the other way time and time again!!!

[colourful]

01:25 PM on 09/12/2011

"The effects of a Brazilian Blowout straightening treatment can last up to 12 weeks, according to its site, which means that some women would only need to visit the salon four times a year ..."

4 x's a year as opposed to 26 x’s a year? All hair straightening products use harmful chemicals; so I’d prefer to only have the harmful products applied just the 4x’s.

[tnjr]

10:02 PM on 09/12/2011

Wow, I'm glad I'm old and going bald! Those few strains on my forehead are on their own!

[colourful]

11:49 PM on 09/12/2011

Yea, I used to perm my hair, but I don't bother now. Yet, you know we'll paste silicone in our breast if we think it’ll make us feel pretty; so we really don't have any limits :-( ...

[Bonnie Duerst]

11:55 AM on 11/01/2011

Clients have reported adverse affects from the formaldehyde vapor released during these treatments, however, the stylist is really most at risk as they are exposed to the chemicals on a continuous basis.
Most every article on the internet pertaining to the "hair smoothing controversy”, including OSHA warnings and fines, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Report, alert salons about the importance of appropriate work practices and proper salon ventilation. Most salons lack proper ventilation needed to ensure safety for the full range of chemical services offered, including hair smoothing, color, bleach and artificial nail services.
The best advice is to check to see if the salon has proper ventilation (a salon chemical source capture system) to provide this service. Open windows, doors or fans only circulate the vapors throughout the salon instead of pulling them away from the breathing zones of the stylist and client. There are many helpful resources on the web to help stylists & their clients stay informed about the importance of safe air and assist in them in meeting OSHA requirements for safety.
http://cleanairmadesimple.com

[Marisa Stein]

09:22 AM on 09/12/2011

I'll never have that done, I'll stick with my hot comb and frizzy hair

[ETT]

04:03 AM on 09/12/2011

There is formaldehyde in cigarettes and the FDA hasn't banned them, because the industry has a powerful lobby in Washington, DC, not to mention that the Congress persons who represent states that grow tobacco wouldn't allow. Therefore, I am sure the beauty supply business won't allow this product to be banned. Buyer beware!

[HerrMonk]

05:40 PM on 09/13/2011

So your position is that anything considered bad for you should be banned?

[camanokat]

01:23 PM on 09/11/2011

I like my curly hair.

[gen-x mom2]

09:51 PM on 09/13/2011

Me too!!

[robodawa]

11:12 PM on 09/10/2011

The old fashioned hair straightener was lye, raw egg and a shot of turpentine.
The lye burns the scalp but doesn't hurt the nerves like this corpse run off does.

[Madbunny]

10:45 PM on 09/09/2011

I know this is crass, but everything I see the term Brazillian Blowout I think of NSFW stuff.
As for the product, yeah lets not have people breathing high concentrations of formaldehyde if possible.

[onionboy]

01:04 PM on 09/11/2011

Brazilian Blow Out, Boston Steamer, Dutch Hat

[socalcde]

07:45 PM on 09/09/2011

"The FDA also determined that Brazilian Blowouts are "mislabeled" " This "mislabeling" isn't against any laws? Why aren't they being prosecuted?

[onionboy]

01:07 PM on 09/11/2011

They generally give a chance to resolve the issues (if that's even possible) before they prosecute or have it pulled from shelves, etc.

[Bonnie Duerst]

11:57 AM on 11/01/2011

PRESS RELEASE/October 2011: The prestigious CIR’s most recent determination provides an opportunity and challenge to continue to improve product safety, as well as to enhance education programs. It is important to understand that the CIR has ruled that keratin smoothing products CAN be used safely. However, they are not yet convinced that they ARE being used safely in salons. The CIR has requested additional information to demonstrate that these products can be used consistently in a safe manner in professional salon establishments.
The Professional Keratin Smoothing Council (Cadiveu, Keratin Complex, Marcia Teixeira, SalonTech, & Aerovex Systems) recommends that appropriate salon ventilation is being used for keratin hair smoothing treatments. Salons that are not equipped with the appropriate salon ventilation should NOT provide these services until this situation is corrected.
Press Release: http://www.pksc.org/PressRelease_October.2011.pdf