The Associated Press reported yesterday that Federal safety regulators found that the Brazilian Blowout releases unsafe levels of the chemical formaldehyde, which can risk the health of salon workers and their customers. In addition, the Federal Regulators also said that they have found the chemical in a variety of hair products that are labeled “formaldehyde free”. The federal safety advisory issued late Monday follows similar announcements from state health authorities in California, Connecticut, and Oregon.
The Federal Regulators began investigating after a stylist complained of nosebleeds, eye irritation and trouble breathing while using Brazilian Blowout. The Brazilian Blowout, originated in Brazil around 2005, and its popularity as a hair straightening procedure quickly spread to North America and Europe. People with curly, wave-y, kinky, and hard-to-tame hair were flocking to the Brazilian Blowout as a means of controlling their hair, especially when combined with high humidity.
What is interesting to note, is that as far back as 1987, the U.S. EPA classified it as a probable human carcinogen. The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classified it as a probable human carcinogen in 1995. The IARC, based on further information and evaluation of all known data, reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. Formaldehyde can irritate the eyes, skin and lungs and cause breathing problems and skin rashes. It has been associated with nasal sinus cancer, and recent studies have also shown a positive correlation between exposure to formaldehyde and the development of leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia.
What exactly is formaldehyde used for? There are some good uses….it is a disinfectant. It kills most bacteria, fungi and is often used topically to treat warts. It is also used as a tissue fixative (remember all those specimen jars in biology class?) and as an embalming agent. I would like to share information on formaldehyde from Peter Lamas, the Founder and Chairman of Lamas Beauty International, one of the fastest growing and respected natural beauty products manufacturers in the US, found in his book, Dying to be Beautiful-The Real Facts about Potentially Harmful Cosmetic Ingredients.
“Formaldehyde is used in nail polish and hardeners, shampoos, soaps, and skin creams. This potentially irritating disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, and preservative can be absorbed into the skin and cause allergic reactions, inflammation, headaches, and even asthma. It is often referred to as formalin or DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantoin. It is very toxic when inhaled and a suspected carcinogen that is linked to cancer. Its use in cosmetics is banned in Japan and Sweden.”
Peter also notes that the government regulatory requirements regarding the sale of cosmetics are not as stringent as those that apply to other products that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neither cosmetic products, nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the FDA before they are sold to the public. This means that, with the exception of color additives and a few prohibited substances, manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material. Any product containing levels that might trigger an adverse reaction ARE required to carry a caution, however, as seen in the “formaldehyde free” labeled products, this was not the case.
Everyday most of us use an array of skin, hair, body and beauty products without ever asking if they are safe or not. We incorrectly assume that the FDA has tight regulations on these products. They don’t! Unknowingly you may be applying several ingredients that contain potential systemic toxins that are easily absorbed and can remain in your body for a very long time. When you consider that some of these products get applied day after day for decades, the potential for problems is very real. Read labels CAREFULLY!!!
For more on Peter Lamas, see www.peterlamas.com and for more on formaldehyde, see wikipedia for starters…
