Straighteners, Straighteners and more Straighteners

I am sure that anyone who has any curl, wave or a relaxer in their hair has heard of or may even have a Brazilian Straightener or a Keratin Treatment in their hair. The initial hype was that there was finally a straightener for all hair types, that can be used on top of a relaxer and keeps the integrity of the hair shaft. The service seemed heaven sent to women who battled the excessive styling time from wet to dry and for relaxer hair, making the hair dry straighter without the puffy new growth. The problem still remains that this product contains formaldehyde.

Product companies have heard the concerns of consumers and stylist and formulated a product that they claim has no formaldehyde. Some of these companies advertise the  main ingredients as chocolate, vanilla etc. Some  even let you decide how much of the formaldehyde that want you want to add to the solution calling it a ‘SHOT’.

Companies who are promoting a ‘formaldehyde free’ produce  are labeling the formaldehyde has methylene glycol or formalin. The debate continues  because some argue that methylene glycol does not have the same chemical structure as formaldehyde because formaldehyde is a gas and when place with H2o it changes into a completely different structure, methylene glycol. Both have the same chemical formula of CH₂O. Other countries have banned the chemical in products sold and manufacturer on their soil.

Some claim that the chemical does not cause nasal cancer as higher level of formaldehyde and that products have been missed labeled for years because the INCI Dictionary  (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) classified formalin as formaldehyde and not methylene glycol. They claim that the traces of formaldehyde present in the product is the same low percentage of the gas  naturally found in grown pears, apples, and tomatoes.

All straighteners are basically  applied to the hair with the same technique; solution applied then flat ironed. The flat irons that are used with the service sometimes exceed 450 degrees. The heat intensifies the  product producing smoke and when the smoke clears fumes are still present. The fumes that the service produces has been known to burn eyes, cause excessive fatigue, cause jawline pain, numbness in stylist hands and pregnant women to faint.

Has this ever happened just being in the same room as a naturally grown pear, apple, and tomato?

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