Brazilian Keratin in London - Massive Hair Loss

I am from the U.K. and want to tell you of my experience. I had the Brazilian Keratin Straightening done at a highly reputable salon in London. I have been going there a number of years and had a number of ionic straightening treatments done without any problem whatsoever.

In December 2008 the stylist told me about a new Brazilian straightening product that was "chemical free" and would actually be really good for my hair as it was made up of keratin. She said that when the product was first launched in U.S.A and it contained formaldehyde but now in the U.K. they had the formaldehyde free version. I think she used the Global Keratin one.

I noticed a change in my hair almost immediately. When I washed my hair it was still frizzy. I still had to spend loads of time styling it. The day after washing my hair, it was really greasy and totally flat. I never had greasy hair before.

I absolutely hated it but just thought that once the product was washed out of my hair in 3-4 months that my hair would be O.K. By March 2009 I noticed that my hair was becoming curly again but it was not the same curl as before. I used to have really thick curls but now they were much thinner (a totally different texture) but I was just glad the product was finally coming out of my hair.

By May 2009 I noticed that my fringe hair was totally flat and had grown back straighter than before. Where as before it always had height and volume this no longer was the case. I also noticed that my hair was losing volume all over although at this stage I did not realise the reason why.

I bought all sorts of hair volumizers but nothing worked. I got loads of my hair cut off but months passed and the problems remained. I finally went to a trichologist this year because I was still losing volume from my hair and I knew there was something seriously wrong with it.

I have been diagnosed with Chronic Telogen effluvium. She said I have lost over 50% of my hair. It is now nearly 2 years since I had this straightening process and I don't know if my hair will grow back. I am taking vitamin tablets but there is no sign of my hair growing back yet. The other 50% of my hair that hasn't fallen out has completely changed texture.

Basically I don't think my hair will ever come back to the way it was before I had the Brazilian Straightening on it. I am really angry at the fact that in hairdressers all over the U.K. this product is being marketed as a "chemical free" straightener when this quite clearly is not the case. Apparently if it contains less than 2% formaldehyde they do not have to say it contains it.

From what I've read about it since, I believe that the products contain a much higher percentage of chemicals & toxins than what this company are admitting to.

To anyone that's had Brazilian Straightening done without any problems that's great, you've found it works for you and are happy. To anyone who is thinking of having it done, it really is not worth the risk.

Story originally shared on Reaction to keratin treatment