By: Charles Mombo

Since the early 20th century when Annie Turnbo Malone, an African-American woman, developed a chemical Poro line of hair products (a Liberian inspired franchised system of beauty culture) that straightened Black women hair without damage, there have never been a so-called perfect replacement until the Brazilian Blowout. Some historians also credit Malone with developing the pressing iron and comb.

Yes, the Brazilian Blowout has been tested and it does work on every hair types including fine, course, frizzy, and curly. It does improve the health of color-treated and highlighted hair by conditioning the hair while sealing the cuticle for enhanced color. It reduces frizz and radiant shine. If your hair is wavy, the Brazilian Blowout will make your hair appear naturally straight and healthy. If your hair is very curly, it will minimize frizz while enhancing the appearance of the natural wave/curl. If you have straight, frizzy hair, this treatment will eliminate frizz and promote radiant shine.

Very popular in Hollywood, it appears to worth the costs of $200-$500. Additionally pluses of the Brazilian Blowout is that it last for 10-12 weeks if the Acai After-Care Maintenance product line is used. Yes, you can swim in either the pool or the ocean after you receive the Brazilian Blowout treatment, however, according to Brazilian Blowout website, the treatment may be slightly compromised if you swim on a regular basis. They recommend that you apply the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Serum on the hair prior to swimming in order to act as a protective barrier to maintain the smoothest possible result for the longest period of time.

Now, this is where the U.S Government begs to differ with the producer when they state that the Brazilian Blowout contains – NO FORMALDEHYDE!!

According to the U.S Government's Occupational Safely and Health Administration (OSHA) website;

“all contact of the eyes and skin with liquids containing 1 percent or more formaldehyde shall be prevented by the use of chemical protective clothing made of material impervious to formaldehyde and the use of other personal protective equipment, such as goggles and face shields, as appropriate to the operation.”

A series of full-scale test was conducted by OSHA in which they reportd that Brazilian Blowout contains between 8 – 10% of formaldehyde.

Some symptoms of formaldehyde exposure includes headache, dizziness, severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, with a burning sensation of the nose and throat. Other effects include coughing, choking and vomiting. Exposure to 50 ppm or higher may lead to inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis) or to a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Symptoms of pulmonary edema (chest pain and shortness of breath) can be delayed for up to 24 or 48 hours after exposure.

The producers of Brazilian Blowout are disputing OSHA's claims and says that their product smooths the hair through the use of a proprietary polymer system that bonds amino acids to the surface of the hair. This treatment is 100% salon safe. What makes the Brazilian Blowout treatment effective is our use of the Super Nutrient Complex in conjunction with a proprietary polymer system. This combination is what rounds the follicle, smooths the cuticle and repairs any preexisting damage.