As someone with unruly curls, it is more than a little frustrating to see celebrities sporting natural curls one day and nearly straight, subtle waves the next. When I learned that they were using a new technique to get these trendy hairstyles.
The Brazilian Blowout is a method of relaxing naturally curly hair, like mine, into soft waves or even straightening it completely. Unlike previous methods used to try and achieve these results, it does not require a flat iron or blow dryer.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Brazilian Blowouts
Tired of hair that frizzed every time the weather called for rain, I wanted manageable curls. Before my stylist would do the treatment, he sat down to talk to me about the pro’s and con’s. Here are some of the things he told me.
Ride the Waves – For me, this was a pro, but it’s not necessary to go completely straight and lose the curls completely. I could still keep it wavy to increase the styling options that I could do myself at home.
Non-Permanent – Unlike other treatments that hang on until your hair outgrows them, the Brazilian Blowout will wash out over time. You won’t see a definite line when your new hair grows in, which gives you a safety net if you dislike the results.
Quick Process – My appointment for a Brazilian Blowout took about 90 minutes. When compared to other hair straightening treatments, this is a relatively short amount of time. It’s perfect if you’re busy, like me, and can’t dedicate half a day to it.
The Cost – What you pay for the treatment could be a con, based on your budget. It could cost a few hundred dollars the first time. Adding up what you’d spend over the first year to maintain the look could reach staggering amounts of around $1200.
Chemical Treatment – The Brazilian Blowout uses chemicals, one of which is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer in the past. Even the formaldehyde-free treatments contain other hair-damaging chemicals.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider before you take the leap from curly to straight hair using a Brazilian Blowout. If you’re not sure if this is for you, talk to a stylist you trust about what to expect, and your dermatologist about the product ingredients.
Are Keratin Treatments Safe?
Keratin is found naturally in your hair. Used on your hair, it becomes a restorative treatment that makes your hair stronger and more resilient. You can promote these benefits by avoiding the use of flat irons or hair dryers on very high heat settings.
As with other Brazilian Blowout treatments, ones that promote the use of keratin may still contain formaldehyde. If you suffer from psoriasis or dermatitis of any kind, then it is imperative that you speak with a dermatologist about the risks involved.
A final tip is that after you get some kind of Brazilian hair straightener on your hair, wait a few days before washing. I also found that using shampoo free of sodium and sulfates extended the time between getting the treatment and my unruly curls reappearing.
The Brazilian Blowout is a method of relaxing naturally curly hair, like mine, into soft waves or even straightening it completely. Unlike previous methods used to try and achieve these results, it does not require a flat iron or blow dryer.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Brazilian Blowouts
Tired of hair that frizzed every time the weather called for rain, I wanted manageable curls. Before my stylist would do the treatment, he sat down to talk to me about the pro’s and con’s. Here are some of the things he told me.
Ride the Waves – For me, this was a pro, but it’s not necessary to go completely straight and lose the curls completely. I could still keep it wavy to increase the styling options that I could do myself at home.
Non-Permanent – Unlike other treatments that hang on until your hair outgrows them, the Brazilian Blowout will wash out over time. You won’t see a definite line when your new hair grows in, which gives you a safety net if you dislike the results.
Quick Process – My appointment for a Brazilian Blowout took about 90 minutes. When compared to other hair straightening treatments, this is a relatively short amount of time. It’s perfect if you’re busy, like me, and can’t dedicate half a day to it.
The Cost – What you pay for the treatment could be a con, based on your budget. It could cost a few hundred dollars the first time. Adding up what you’d spend over the first year to maintain the look could reach staggering amounts of around $1200.
Chemical Treatment – The Brazilian Blowout uses chemicals, one of which is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer in the past. Even the formaldehyde-free treatments contain other hair-damaging chemicals.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider before you take the leap from curly to straight hair using a Brazilian Blowout. If you’re not sure if this is for you, talk to a stylist you trust about what to expect, and your dermatologist about the product ingredients.
Are Keratin Treatments Safe?
Keratin is found naturally in your hair. Used on your hair, it becomes a restorative treatment that makes your hair stronger and more resilient. You can promote these benefits by avoiding the use of flat irons or hair dryers on very high heat settings.
As with other Brazilian Blowout treatments, ones that promote the use of keratin may still contain formaldehyde. If you suffer from psoriasis or dermatitis of any kind, then it is imperative that you speak with a dermatologist about the risks involved.
A final tip is that after you get some kind of Brazilian hair straightener on your hair, wait a few days before washing. I also found that using shampoo free of sodium and sulfates extended the time between getting the treatment and my unruly curls reappearing.
