This smoothing treatment originated in Brazil and is a liquid keratin formula that bonds to your hair to create a protective layer around each strand. It essentially eliminates frizz by sealing the cuticle, and thus protects the hair from external damage. After the treatment, your hair will be smoother, shiny hydrated, resistant to frizz, and more resilient to heat styling. The term Brazilian Blowout has become synonymous with hair with a glossy, mirror-like shine. The process is labor-intensive, so it’s not cheap, but is it worth it for you?
There are a few treatments available that are similar to the Brazilian Blowout, so it’s important to understand the service before committing to it. The Brazilian Blowout involves a milder formula than some others, and this formula can be customized to your hair type. This means that your hair will be left less delicate after the treatment. After you get a Brazilian Blowout, you can style, put up your hair, or wash it as desired. Keratin treatments are similar, but hair must be treated carefully after the service, meaning no ponytails, clips, styling, or washing for three or four days. However, Brazilian Blowouts are not as long-lasting as some other treatments.
Does a Brazilian Blowout make hair completely straight?
Your hair will be completely straight if you want it to be. Chance will seal in the treatment by passing a 450-degree flat iron over your hair to the level of straightness you prefer. If you have naturally curly hair, however, your hair will likely not air-dry to a very straight texture. You may need to blow-dry it, but it will require significantly less time to straighten and smooth out.
How long does a Brazilian Blowout process take?
Your hair will be thoroughly shampooed to remove dirt, oil, and the residue of any products you have used. This creates a clean base for which the treatment to adhere. Working section by section, the Brazilian blowout formula will be applied from root to tip. After applying the Brazilian Blowout formula, the hair is blow-dried and then straightened with a flat iron heated to 450 degrees to seal it. The heat causes the chemicals to activate and bond to the shaft. The hair will then be rinsed and blow-dried smooth a second time. The process generally takes an hour to an hour and a half but can vary according to how much hair you have and its thickness.
How Long Does The Brazilian Blowout Last?
Your Brazilian Blowout should last three to four months if you avoid using shampoos that contain sulfates and chorine. It may last possibly longer if you wash your hair less frequently. Once the treatment wears off, your hair will return to its natural curl pattern. When you see your hair beginning to wave or curl around your hairline, that is your signal that it’s time to schedule your next appointment. However, if you do not get the treatment immediately, there will be no noticeable or harsh line of demarcation between your previously-treated hair and the new hair growth.
What Should I Do After Getting the Brazilian Blowout Treatment?
Unlike the restrictions required after a keratin treatment, there aren’t any restrictions as to what you can and can’t do in terms of activity. You can resume your day, work out, put your hair in a ponytail, or do whatever you need to do. You can wash your hair immediately after if you like, although since you just “got your hair done,” you probably won’t want to!
Can you get a Brazilian Blowout if you color your hair?
Yes, the Brazilian blowout is safe for color-treated hair. In fact, because the product seals off the hair shaft, your color may fade much more slowly. Some clients prefer to get their color done and follow with a Brazilian blowout on the same day. This can be beneficial timing because the hair cuticle is already open from the color.
Is The Brazilian Blowout Safe?
While the Brazilian Blowout is safe for most hair types, clients with textured hair should discuss the treatment with Chance prior to scheduling and take any precautions he recommends in order to avoid unnecessary damage. It is important to exercise care with the heat you apply to textured strands because there is a risk of hair responding in unpredictable ways due to undetectable damage done by the first treatment.
There has been significant buzz over the past few years regarding the presence of formaldehyde in most Brazilian Blowout formulas. Formaldehyde gas can be severely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and long-term exposure to formaldehyde in the workplace has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Formaldehyde is released during the heating process used in the application of the Brazilian Blowout. Brazilian Blowout and several other brands of hair straightening formulas have been found to contain high levels of formaldehyde (6-11% of the product) even when labeled “formaldehyde-free.”
However, the levels of formaldehyde in the Brazilian Blowout were lower than the OSHA Action Limit. This means that the levels of formaldehyde found in the air during a Brazilian Blowout treatment are not high enough to be considered illegal for a workplace. When the OSHA Action limit is exceeded in a workplace, considerable protective measures including special ventilation measures, protective clothing, medical surveillance, and training must be implemented by law in order to reduce levels and protect the exposed employees. While the levels of the Brazilian Blowout are below the Action Limit, it should not be assumed that the amount of formaldehyde found in the air in salons are necessarily safe or healthy for staff to be breathing. Formaldehyde is a human carcinogen. As such, chronic exposure at any level could potentially lead to cancer and should be avoided by salon staff members.
If you are interested in finding out if the Brazilian blowout is a good choice for your hair, schedule a consultation with Chance Charles. Shiny, frizz-free, smooth, effortlessly manageable hair with plenty of body and bounce can be achieved through a variety of methods using custom formulations.
