Brazilian Blowout or BKT
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...
I don't want this to sound like a bitter rant, so I'll say from the start that I have a blog about Brazilian hair products and also sell them from a couple of websites. I did have an interest in this subject but I'm also very eager for the truth to come out.
Most of these treatments no longer contain Formaldehyde, which used to be added to create an emulsion, with the Keratin. Nowadays, in Brazil it's use is strictly controlled, and alcohol, or alkalines do the same job in hair straightening treatments, allowing the Keratin to be absorbed within the hair cuticles, rather than sitting outside them.
Your article is a little out of date I suspect -
and factually incorrect.
I know that sounds harsh, but check out the bit where Alexandre suggests companies here in Brazil are tricking the Government by sneaking in deadly chemicals after they've had the thumbs up from health authorities.
C'mon, does he really think Brazil works like this... The truth is that all hair products in Brazil are randomly tested by scientists, who buy their samples over the counter, for just that reason. The system here is as strict as in Europe and a lot tougher than in America.
Later, Alexandre claims if they are caught using Formaldehyde, Brazilian hair dressers can be fined up to $1million in US dollars...
So we fine our criminals in American money here, just to make it simple for everyone in the States to understand... What's the figure in Brazilian Reals?
The truth is that in Brazil nobody adds Formaldehyde to keratin products any longer. They haven't done for years, clandestinely or otherwise. Nobody needs to, they work incredibly well already.
It's also suggested that stylists bump up the potency of weak - Formaldehyde Free - Brazilian Blowouts by adding Formaldehyde, which they 'buy from supermarkets and drug stores'.
So we sell undertakers supplies in supermarkets as well? If you want Formaldehyde in Brazil you need to apply to retailers who specialise in medical supplies. It's a lengthy business that now needs a license, it's far from easy and nothing like popping to a supermarket.
Now, my own hype...
I have a blog too.
So for some factually correct advice and the truth about Brazilian Blowout, have a look at http://brazilianfab.wordpress.com/
I really hope you publish my comments. Although I have to say I have some interest in this subject, I also believe that the point of blogs (and I'm speaking as a blog owner who welcomes criticism as much as praise) is for debate and truth.
Keep up the good work and love from the beach - BB
A Response to: Brazilian Blow-out or BKT - Formaldehyde vs Glutaraldehyde
Wow I am impressed with your deductive post! I want to try a Brazilian Keratin product do you recommend one that I can try at home? Thanks for sharing.
Well thanks for the compliment...
I am a certified Brazilian Blowout Stylist at Salon Sessions in Pasadena, CA. This is an amazing treatment to get done. It truly does what it promises cuts blowdry time, removes frizz and adds a tremendous amount of shine! It is true to NOT get this mistaken with any other keratin like treatments.
I understand people's concerns over the possible use of formaldehyde in keratin treatments, however, most of them now state their products are formaldehyde free - they cannot legally do this if it isn't true. I love my keratin hair treatment but would always go for a formaldehyde free product, because if it does the job without it, why would I want to be exposed to the stuff?
Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Copolla is not formaldehyde free. Their own website does not 
I can't believe you are not demanding an MSDS. ALL of these contain an aldehyde or urea, which releases gas when exposed to the hot flat iron. They are chemical cousins, just like cysteamine and thio in perms, ammonia and MEA in color, lye and "no lye" in relaxers(sodium vs guanidine hydroxide). There are chemicals in many salon services but you MUST be educated about what they do and how to minimize exposure--more vital to the stylist who is exposed ALL day than the client. Ventilation! And, know what you can't put over what. And yes, QOD, the biggest mnfr in Brazil does still use formalin, which becomes formaldehyde gas when exposed to heat. Formaldehyde is a gas, so there is NO formaldehyde in a liquid--get it? There is an aldehyde. Keratin does not straighten hair. 
Zene Progress does contain formaldehyde, regardless of what the people selling it say. My cousin is a studying chemistry at Manchester uni, I asked him to test the product, legally bought from ebay. The tests prove the lies, Zene progress contains 8.4% formaldehyde.The safe limit is 0.2%. If it straightens your hair for three months then it most certainly contains formaldehyde. 
Many of these products contain Methyl glycol which is what formaldehyde can convert to in solutions containing water. When heated and the water evaporated the methyl glycol is converted back to formaldehyde. Just because it doesn't contain or they do not add formaldehyde doesn't mean that formaldehyde isn't evolved during the process.
