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BKT or Brazilian Keratin Treatment - Formaldehyde-free Alternatives

by Jordana Lorraine
(Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA)

yours truly with Brazilian Blowout

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

Comments for
BKT or Brazilian Keratin Treatment - Formaldehyde-free Alternatives

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Faves vs Global or Coppola
by: Anonymous

Hi- I hear that the Blowout/Form-free does not keep as long. Since you still use the Coppola and Global, would you say that those are still basically the same but insist on an uncomfortable wait as well as possibly fumy process?
Brazilian Blowout Treatment
by: Nina

I thought Brazilian Blowout also contained formaldehyde. Didn't Allure Magazine test it? What is the active ingredient for the seal if not formaldehyde? Do you have a MSDS on it. Alternatively is there a non-toxic weekly or daily treatment that would have similar effect? The reviewers of Liquid Keratin all complain that it turned their hair colour brassy.

I just love the ease of styling after my Coppola treatment. But I am allergic to the formaldehyde so can't do that particular treatment again. Only use Zoya on my nails for that reason too. And have Poggenpohl kitchen as their laminate is formaldehyde free.
re: Anonymous
by: JordanaLorraine

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.

It is true that the products with formaldehyde last longer. But at what cost? I choose not to take the risk, especially as I am he one breathing it in 10+ hours a week.
re: Nina
by: Anonymous

Brazilian Blowout did contain formaldehyde until the fall of 2008, when they began using an alternative bonding agent for the safety of the clients and stylists. I believe it is still in 'hyde' family, but is a milder cousin to which fewer people react.

Since you had a reaction to the organic aldehydes in Coppola's treatment, I would avoid the entire family of 'hyde' ingredients and go with Global Keratin's Formaldehyde-Free formula, which contains no 'hyde' of any kind.

I would be happy to consult with you on it (and show you the label) if you are in the Los Angeles area. Otherwise, you can email info@globalkeratin.com or call (305) 390-0044 to ask about finding a stylist near you.

Best of luck!
PS: I forgot to include my contact info...if you are in LA, check m website for info, email and phone. www.jordanalorraine.com
Something in the formula is questionable
by: Marion

I just tried the Brazilian Blowout after having tried the Coppola Keratin Treatment.

I don't know which bonding agent the Brazilian Blowout uses, but my eyes and those of the stylist were burning and watering. After a while, especially when the lotion was applied close to my face and scalp, the irritation to my eyes got worse and grew to include uncomfortable burning in my nose and throat. A few nearby clients complained as well, but not with the same intensity.

I have no allergies and have never been sensitive to any product which others are. I think my body was telling me something, and I will not do the treatment again.
Is it Formaldehyde - Free??
by: Anonymous

Sorry Jordana, I'm confused about Keratin Complex by Coppola and Global? Doesn't the complex brand have Formol and Aldehyde and Global ethanol? So the question is they do have formaldehyde how do you think they last up to that long.
Not Formaldehyde Free
by: Anonymous

I have heard that all the Brazillian tretament have some sort of aldehyde or ether. Companies do not have to list anything 2% or less. I believe there will be a cumulative effect for hairdressers and clients somewhere down the road?

These chemical even if organic turn dangerous at 450 degrees. Bioionic uses henna keratin and perm solution and the hair is shampoo'd twice before any blow dry or flat ironing is done. The results are a more relaxed curl and or a shiny easier to blow your hair straight. Check Bio Ionic Kera smooth for salons in your area.
What is the bonding agent then?
by: Anonymous

I have heard that this is a marketing strategy by the same company to put a new spin on the same product. Why does it say on there pdf page that they recommend the operators to wear gloves,mask and eye goggles? Why do the sell masks with there kits? They say formaldehyde free but i have been told that if a product contains less then 2% formaldehyde it doesn't have to be on the ingredients. What is the agent that bonds the keratin? Some people have still reported burning scalp, eyes sore throat from this supposedly chemical free version. There are numerous reports out there.
Its not formaldehyde-free!
by: Max

Brazilian Blow-out is not Formaldehyde free. It contains Glutaraldehyde (check it out on wiki) just another type of aldehyde! Don't take my word and ask your salon for ingredient list.
Brazilian Blowout
by: Anonymous

Is everyone aware that the company that owns Brazilian Blowout also owns the Argyle Salon in West Hollywood, CA. The original name of the product was "Mauricio Rubeiro's Brazilian Blowout". Mauricio partnered the these people only later to be fired and his product stolen by them. This company also published FAKE MSDS Sheets stating their product was totally safe to use but in fact contained Formaldehyde over 2,000 times what OSHA and the FDA said was safe to use. They now issue bottles that are unsealed with no ingredients listed at all. WOW! On top of that, they actually charge you a fee to learn how to sell their product.

It makes me wonder why anyone would want to do business with these people.

Before you use any product, do a little research. Protect yourself and protect your clients.
Formaldehyde vs Glutaraldehyde
by: Anonymous

Escova Progressiva, Brazilian Blow-out or Brazilian Keratin Treatment are all the same. ALL of them use one of those products as hair straightening.

KERATIN DOES NOT MAKE YOUR HAIR STRAIGHT. IT IS WILDLY USED IN BRAZIL TO TREAT HAIR THAT HAS UNDERGONE CHEMICAL PROCEDURES WITH THIOGLYCOLIC ACID, HYDROXIDE (SUCH AS GUANIDINE, LITHIUM, SODIUM), HAIR DYING.

In Brazil, Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde are allowed to be used as preservatives, NOT AS HAIR STRAIGHTENING. The Brazilian Governmental branch that is responsible... Read more
RE: Formaldehyde vs Glutaraldehyde
by: Bella Blu

I'd like to pick you up on a couple of things you say about Brazilian Keratin hair straighteners, and in particular, the products which are made and sold from Brazil itself... Read more
RE Allergic Reaction To Global Keratin
by: S Leigh

I had the Global Keratin treatment done about two months ago. I did not feel well within a few hours after. I had a terrible neck and sore throat, along with head pains. My back was killing and I just put it down to flu.

Because the treatment did not work that well, I went back to the salon a few weeks later, and they said they would re-do it for free. Again I had the same symptoms as the first time. My throat was in agony and I could not move with aches and pains. In the evening of the following day I nearly passed out.

Although the treatment did work really well the second time, and my hair looked amazing, I would never have this treatment again. This is supposed to be formaldehyde free, but it must have had something in it to make me react so bad. Just to add I have never been allergic to anything in my life, so I can't imagine what was in this treatment.
BKeratin?
by: Anonymous

Does anyone know anything about this particular brand? I am thinking about going to a salon that uses it but I can't find an ingredient list anywhere. I believe it's by Izaadi.
Simply smooth brazilian keratin treatment
by: Tiffany

Have you tried the simply smooth Brazilian keratin treatment? I just had it done on my hair, havn't washed it yet. But if I like it, I plan on adding it as a service to offer my clients.. There are so many different ones it's hard to figure which is best.
Formaladyde free but may contain ether
by: Anonymous

This whole Brazilian thing sounds toxic and probably will have cumulative effects on hairstylist and clients in the long run.

I was told by a rep. that if it contains less then 2 % formaldehyde it doesn't have to be listed. Why are alot of these companies claiming that they can't show the msd data because it's patent pending?
The consumers and the stylist deserve to know the truth. Soemone is making big bucks at the risk of someone else's health possibly. We should know what we are dealing with and then decide if we still want it done. Toxic gas that you are breathing in doesn't sound good at any price
What Price Straight Hair?
by: Liz

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.

I noticed that by the 4th time, the BKT's effects were definitely diminishing. My wave and curl were more apparent, no more swinging, shiny hair. I was following the same rules (no shampoo, no moisture, etc.), but the BKT was just not what it had been when I first had it.

I sometimes wonder if the treatment was "watered down" to stretch the product. It does seem strange that the Global BKT noticeably diminished by the 4th time it was applied. I blamed the hot, humid weather. ???
Rejuvenol.com
by: Ron P Express Color

I am amazed how educated people are about this treatment. I sell rejuvenol brazilian keratin treatment to salons in dallas. Rejuvenol brand is the only brand i know that carries a zero % form,a 1.8%, a 4%, a 1 hour, a 24 hour as well. keratin relaxes curl and the formaldehyde preserves it. zero % bout 2 months 4% bout 4-5
25 years salon experience
by: Enrique

Keratin does not straighten hair . The keratin treatments make the hair easy to deal with, however, They Have Formaldehyde usually now under a different ingredient name. It is about the most toxic thing you can inhale. Your local state agencies require a Double Filter Gas Mask if you are handling it. Those goggles and cloth masks worn in salons will not protect you.

Sorry, its terrible for you, I know it works to change hair. The FIMA workers in Louisiana aren't allowed in the temporary housing they issued because the wood used contains formaldehyde. Its a killer! Stylist, please don't be so ignorant.
Brazilian Blowout, etc.
by: Susana Hill

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.

Keep in mind that chemicals react when they are combined, exposed to air, and water... explanations you read about on a resource site may mention these considerations. Chemicals effect people uniquely, depending on heredity, prescription drug use, or even previous exposures to chemicals. Even doing our best with mother nature does not provide guarantees ... If we choose chemical assistance, it pays to know the risks. And ladies... please don't ask the manufacturer of the product for reassurance... find an objective source for information who has nothing to gain by winning our confidence. There are thousands of new chemicals introduced into our lives that have not received FDA approvals, on a regular basis. Research research research. The results of the Brazilian are beautiful... but I want to know the exact ingredients. Thanks!
NIOSH's take on Glutaraldehyde
by: Anonymous

National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety says...

Glutaraldehyde is used for a number of applications...Including as preservative in cosmetics.

Workers can be exposed to glutaraldehyde through inhalation or skin contact. Health effects that may occur as a result of exposure to glutaraldehyde include but are not limited to the following:

Throat and lung irritation, Asthma and difficulty breathing, Contact and/or allergic dermatitis, Nasal irritation, Sneezing, Wheezing, Burning eyes and conjunctivitis.

Reference: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/glutaraldehyde/
Brazilian blow out information
by: Vanity box salon

If the Brazilian blow out is safe to use then why do you have a special room you do the process in?

FDA does not regulate how much of an ingred (safe or not) can be put into a product. They just state what amount is safe!

Also any type of "Hyde" ingred is unsafe in the future or long use of it! It is only in stable condition to a certain temp. Once it is heated up to 450 deg it becomes unstable, which is done in the Brazilian blow out process.

Call the Brazilian blow out company and ask them for the list of ingred in the solution! I did and they could not tell me specific names because it is patent pending! They could not tell me the chemical break down of what this product is doing to the hair! If you ask any hairdresser how a perm or chem straighteners work they can tell you what solution is doing to the hair!
I use CDR which is great ! All ingred I have checked out and are safe! Do your REASEARCH!
Comment from EHS person
by: Anonymous

I had it done. I won't do it anymore. Hair looks good (they used Global product with formaldehyde in it).

1. As a professional, I look at formaldehyde content at ppm level in consumer products. It is carcinogenic and is heavily regulated in the indoor environments. 2% is a required to be listed in MSDS, no doubt about it. If it is not, you can sue the company that doesn't. It is an outrageous amount.
The young girl who did my hair wore a non-woven fused fiber face mask. I told her that she could at least save herself from discomfort because this is a PARTICULATE matter mask and won't protect from gases and odors. If you have to use it, set a strong vertical draft vent directly above the client's chair. Also, have gentle fan blowing the fumes away from you and the client, at approximately 45 degrees against the face. Have windows and doors opened. It is very-very important to have adequate ventilation.
Gas mask is the best for you to wear but it has to be the one with replaceable organic-absorbent cartridges. It will look way too funny to wear it in a styling salon. In industrial it would be an imperative; I would never allow a worker exposed to such fumes to work without a mask.

2. Spoken by chemist. Keratin is a building block of hair molecule. Makes hair healthy and shiny. Too bad you can't just rinse it on. To make keratin stay, it's molecules are incorporated into a laquer system. Formaldehyde is a typical curing agent in many resin systems, and so it is in the brazilian system. Obviously, the system is thermo-set, i.e. it means that you have to apply heat for the laquer to cure. As you do that, formaldehyde partly evaporates and so do byproducts of the curing reacton.
Curing time varies from resin to resin. Some will cure immediately, some will take time (72 hrs). At the end each hair is covered by a hard cured coat. How well the coat stick to the hair and how flexible it is depends on how well the laquer is formulated. Typically, those with long curing time are the most elastic, won't fracture (on microscopic scale)...hence will last longer.
Just a fad that coats the hair
by: Anonymous

I don't believe the Brazilan Blow Outs are doing anything but coating the hair that's why they have to be repeated.
The hair looks good because its being coated. It's temporary and the hair will probably get more damaged each time you coat it, not to mention the accumulative affects of the gases you are subjecting yourself and your immune system to.

With texture being brought back into the spot light, get a good boar bristle brush, a good deep conditioner and learn to blow your hair out.

Save the money help the environment and flat iron once in awhile if you want that straight straight look.
Formulin
by: Annie

"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.

Studies have shown that it's actually the heated aldehyde that straightens the hair, not the keratin at all!

I don't think that treatment with formaldehyde is necessarily harmful to health. I do think that any salon offering any of these treatments should do so with proper ventilation and protection for both the client and the stylist.
information
by: Tammy

I am currently using the keratin complex but I get quite a few calls on wanting the Brazilian blowout. my understanding is the reason they are wanting the Brazilian is due to the washing of the hair immediately..confused isn't it true that the sooner you wash hair the sooner the product will wash out?
Very Sick from Brazilian Blowout and Marcia
by: Becky

To ALL Stylists out there that have come in contact with Brazilian Blowout and are sick please contact me ASAP...I have been in and out of the ER and Hospitals on antibiotics and dealing with my health due to products that say they are FORMALDEHYDE FREE and they are NOT!! My symptoms..throat feels like it is closing, hard time breathing, tearing of eyes, running nose and tired. Please email me if you want to take legal action..We need to make a stand and can't let these companies get away with this...
lala4853333@aol.com
Formaldehyde Free
by: Anonymous

Brazilian Blowout claim contains not formaldehyde but actually is the worst of all treatments, the nose and throat irritation it's horrible, Glutaraldehyde is the same or worst than formaldehyde so there's no reason to believe it is safe.
THE TRUTH CHEMICALLY SPEAKING
by: CHEMIST

I am a chemist and i have worked with formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde donors,bkt, etc.
The truth is that Glutaraldehyde is as bad as Formaldehyde, however, what is important is the amount it goes into the air (breathing it in is what is bad for you) which depends in the concentration they use in the formula,therefore it's important to have a good ventilation as well as using a mask when concentrations in the final product are above 1 % of these chemicals.

The maximum level allowed by FDA in topical applied products is 0.20 % this will release 0.5 ppm on the air(which is also the limit established by OSHA on work places). When you use more than this and use an adequate ventilation, you will reduce the concentration in the air to a safe amount.

Other formaldehyde releasers like Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin are safe because they only release a small amount of formaldehyde in the air (almost nothing), however, you won't get the straightening results as the ones that have more than 1.5% formaldehyde or more, but the frizz will be reduced. The key is, if is irritating it's because contains high amounts of formaldehyde so protect yourself, always ask for an ingredients list, if they don't provide it on the bottles is because they are hiding something, in the USA it's not require to list the ingredients for professional use products, but that doesn't mean you don't have the right to ask.

And for the hairdressers, do not believe what the sales person tells you 100 % and do not believe what another haidresser tells you 100%.
sunpure straight bkt
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am a hairdresser and I have been using Sunpure Straight. I've done a dozen or so treatments.I think this is a safe service. I checked the ingredients ... Read more
Formaldehyde
by: john

have your formula tested by Columbia analytical services in Rochester New York. Then you will find that there is no formula on the market yet that is formaldehyde free.

The range is from 1.6% to over 12% depending on which formula is being tested. For $95.00 you can have a formula tested and find out the truth.

Safety data sheets do not have to disclose formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is not regulated in the beauty industry. Formaldehyde is toxic and causes cancer. No one cares about you like you. Be informed.
interested in product
by: vanessa

Im interested in the Brazilian blow out and global which do you think are better and i would like to see both the labels of ingredients. Is there any order in the air do you have to wear a mask for any of them
Form Free Keratin
by: Anonymous

You are all kidding yourselves if you think Brazilian Blowout or any others BKT's are formaldehyde free. They all have 2-10% formaldehyde or aldehyde. Research it yourself.
New Product Coming Soon
by: Hector

Hi I am a hair care manufacturer from Europe that will be unveiling in 2011 a formaldehyde-free alternative to the currently known products. Our chemists have been testing our new product for two years+ with great success.
We expect to have the line available in the US shortly after our release.

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