BKT or Brazilian Keratin Treatment - Formaldehyde-free Alternatives
by Jordana Lorraine
(Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA)
yours truly with Brazilian Blowout
If the Brazilian Keratin Treatment you've read about online sound dangerous, but the results are intriguing, read on...
I am a Brazilian Blowout (TM) Specialist in Santa Monica, CA. This product contains no formaldehyde, does not require a mask and has no waiting period before you can wash your hair.
My website contains info, testimonials, photos and FAQ about 3 formaldehyde-free keratin treatments. Brazilian Blowout is my favorite (have it done every 3 months), but I also use Keratin Complex and Global Keratin's formaldehyde-free formula for certain hair types/results.
This is a response to another about Brazilian Keratin Treatment. That other article referenced the BKT containing formaldehyde and being dangerous to use or have used on your hair.
Unfortunately, there are many products with similar names and they are often confused even though they have different chemical make-up, safety concerns, and results.
My keratin treatments are formaldehyde-free and safe. I use Brazilian Blowout (my personal fave), Keratin Complex by Coppola and Global Keratin's formadehyde-free treatment.
www.jordanalorraine.com
Jordana, I hate to tell you this, but all of the information I posted and have always posted regarding Keratin treatments, is correct. I am presently and have been a Importer/Distributor of keratin treatments since 2008. I have never had to adjust my facts or my story. I have submitted several statements to this and other blogs over the years as stories constantly changed to fit whatever new spin Brazilian Blowout's Ad Agency would come up with to dilute the TRUTH. I commend the willingness to throw reason out the window and manifest whatever facts were needed to maintain your self assigned authority regarding Keratin Treatments in the industry. Unfortunately, the reality is that you are a stylist with a blog that wants so bad to believe the propaganda these companies put out. It only takes a minimal amount of effort to find the TRUTH but the TRUTH has to be something you are willing to see.
Very interesting point of view. Too bad all of your information about Brazilian Blowout is incorrect. 
I find it very interesting that everyone is up in arms still about Brazilian and other Keratin treatments. First, there is a risk to everything and if it was as dangerous as everyone says, clearly it would not be sold still and would not be the number one selling smoothing system.. In the world. Also, for anyone who is getting all these symptoms and reactions, go take a class. BBO got a $600 million fine for not writing on the bottle "use as directed" on the bottle. Hairdressers like to cut corners and maybe don't get trained properly on how to use these products. Get trained and don't fall into all this negativity. No matter how much anyone wants to complain about formaldehyde, know boiling broccoli, rotten bananas, new car smell, new rugs all contain more formaldehyde than BBO. And if your not doing it to your client that wants one, your prob gonna lose clients.
I have read literature provided on this and also the specification. they state it is absolutely formaldehyde, aldehyde free. John Frieda is endorsing this progress
We are now using The Keraliss Technique system by Alcantara Cosmetica in our salon and we are very happy with the results. No runny eyes, no toxic fumes and best of all results results results. This system is the best I have used ever. The active ingredient is a keratin emulsified Thio base that is so gentle that we apply it golvesless and our customers are happier than ever. We have received numerous referrals from clients and our keratin business is up by 37%.
Are you still proclaiming to yourself and your clients that BKT treatments are formaldehyde free?
For those of you who still want to believe, wake up! Aside from lying about Formaldehyde in their professional products, they also had it in their Home Care Shampoo and Conditioner.
In a press release published on October 15, 2010, Coppola states that its formula contains
So how do we ever trust these companies again? 
I am a hairdresser and recently attended a workshop promoting a new formaldehyde FREE permanent and progressive Keratin Straignener from one of Europes most prestigious hair care manufacture that is scheduled to arrive in the US for distribution in March 2011. 
Concerned that you say Keratin complex has no formaldehyde it has just been voluntarily recalled in Australia and if you read the ingredients of Brazilian Blowout it does have some formaldehyde in it. They have put it in a different form which can not be detected. I have been speaking to chemists and I have just gotten off the phone from the FDA and they said there is a small percentage in it. 
Brazilian blowout has been pulled of the shelves in Canada for having formaldehyde in it, and not be labeled as such. 
There are products that give similar results without harsh chemicals. You just have to look for them. Zerran is one that works but requires more time for the application. Well worth it though in my opinion. 
After 30+ years doing hair, I know I've been exposed to many toxic chemicals, but that is part of doing business for me. I'm aware of formaldehyde in the keratin products and wouldn't do them if it weren't for the fabulous results my clients have had. I always have good ventilation and don't work in a cookie cutter salon where all the stylists are just doing the keratin blowouts all day. Use common sense, keep yourself and clients informed.
Your assertion that the products you use are "formaldehyde free" is rather dubious, to say the least. How do you know? Have you personally paid to have these products independently tested in a lab? The fact that you make your living using products such as this makes your contention highly subjective and problematic: Your testimony is biased, as you provide a service (at great profit to yourself) using these highly contentious substances.
If you like the facts, all you have to do is make few search on Google for "reaction to keratin treatment" or "keratin hair treatment hair loss" or even on this blog. Read the news and reports from Irish or Canadian health authorities. You also right that there are cases of hair loss not related to Keratin treatment and some exaggerations by possible competitors but certainly not to this extend. 
Regardless of what anyone decides, I think it's great that you are providing information and a forum to discuss the pros and cons. Nothing is perfect, this isn't perfect. We put up with far worse when perming our hair, even coloring our hair.
OSHA in Oregon just tested the Brazillian Blowout and found it did contain almost 5% formaldehyde, even though it is not labeled to contain any. They have issued a health alert on 9/16. Any of the "hyde" checmicals are dangerous to be breathing, (CARCINOGENIC), including glutaraldehyde which is in the Global Keratin product. I felt it in my lungs, throat and eyes getting that treatment. Now that I know the truth, I will no longer expose myself to the unnecessary health risk.
"formaldehyde-free" is a marketing ploy. Literally all of the keratin straighteners contain some kind of aldehyde, typically, it is "formulin" which is merely the name of formaldehye that is used in cosmetic products (it's often used in makeup, for example). *IF* the company will provide ingredient lists, and they often will not claiming that they are proprietary, then the reader will read "formulin" or the name of another aldehyde, and will assume that the claim of "formaldehyde free" is reasonable. 
National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety says...
Currently, cosmetics manufacturers are not required to disclose the exact ingredients in their products. When it comes to beauty products of any type, we owe it to ourselves to carefully examine ingredients and request real answers. Get the actual chemical name. How difficult is it to look it up on wiki? No excuse not to. If the ingredients are not carcinogenic, the manufacturer would willingly tell us exactly what they are with NO VAGUE ANSWERS.
I had my first Global BKT done about 18 months ago. For the first time, my hair had movement instead of being crimped and clinging to my head. However, the sting of the product, having a fan on me to direct fumes away, wearing a moist cloth over my nose to keep from breathing in the sharp fumes, my hairdresser crying -not tears of joy- was just not right.
Escova Progressiva, Brazilian Blow-out or Brazilian Keratin Treatment are all the same. ALL of them use one of those products as hair straightening.
All three formulas that I use are formaldehyde-free. Still, all have some fumes/steam to deal with as you are blow-drying a cream into the hair. The main differences between Coppola and Brazilian Blowout are: the 3 day waiting period (Coppola), and that Brazilian Blowout goes back to the natural curl much more nicely if the client wants to go back. The Coppola lingers in a state where it is not straight, but not back to its natural curl yet...this state can last a month or two. So if someone is rehabbing from a Japanese treatment, for example, that one might be best for them since their ends would be stick-straight. But if someone is just trying it out, or might want to get smooth, go back to curly, maybe do it again in a different season, etc., the Brazilian Blowout would be better for them.