Brazilian Keratin Treatment Class Experience - Irritated

by Marco
(Maryland)

This last Saturday a co-worker of mine booked a BKT (Brazilian Keratin Treatment) class about mid-afternoon. By the way, I am a 32 year veteran in this wonderful profession. Anyway, in the class when we learned the process the models' hair was only some what wavy, but very thick. When the instructor got to the flat ironing part, there was just a small amount of steam coming from the hair. Both the stylist and the model have masks on because of the formaldehyde fumes. The results were wonderful.

Now on this day the client had VERY curly, if not nappy hair. The product was applied correctly and left to sit the correct amount of time. At this point you must flat iron the entire head in 1/4 inch partings, starting at the nape and finishing at the front hair line. As this part of the services commenced the amount of smoke and fumes were overwhelming.

Just from my own common knowledge this is not safe! As a result of the fumes the front door was open (it's 40 outside), the air circulating system was turned on, but it still took hours for the fumes to dissipate.

I would be very happy to see FDA make this product safer, as I have found formaldehyde free formulas out there on the net.

As a matter of fact I come upon this article in a Google search for alternatives to the products we are currently using in the salon for the BKT.

Consumers and stylist beware, and look for a less dangerous product to use.

I would like mention that back in 1985 I bought a beauitful 3 bedroom 2 bath manufactured house close to the beach in Delaware. When I walked into the place upon settlement date, I was some what put out by the fact that each and every cabinet in the home had a paper sign taped to it warning about the fumes for the formaldehyde in the glue used to construct the home. When I would arrive on a hot day, I would turn on the A/C asap and open a few windows, then leave for an hour or so because you could hardly breathe and your eyes would water from the fumes because of the heat outside.

Again I say that FDA or OSHA should take a look at this very dangerous situation. Google "formaldehyde poisoning" and see how serious this could be.

Thanks for listening.