Dear JustJoan717
What experience have you had with what company? What about the fumes from the formaldeheyde? I am just not looking into more info about this, since BTC did the piece on it on it's main page. Actually, I am curious to information about anyone using this new service. What types of results are you receiving on color treated hair? How does the haircolor react when it is time to refresh? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cindy Farr Hester Asst Moderator
Thanks for sharing your advice.
I'm so glad this has peaked some interests. As far as doing this on colored hair, it comes out great. The worst condition the hair is in the better is adheres because the cuticle layer is open. I have not done a touch up over it yet.
As far as dealing with the company...there is no company. There's only the girls cell phone number.
I wear a particle mask but should get a chemical one. I have to say I personally didn't find the fumes terrible but that doesn't mean I want to inhale it all day.
In response to RussNYC, there is .02% formaldehyde in it. The application is not the worst of it, it's when it's heated up from the blower and iron. The information you provided was very helpful.
This product has been around for 5 years and I would like to know why it's just become popular now. Where are our major companies on this? None of this was even mentioned at any of the trade shows. It's disheartening. I thought I was to be one of the first to offer this and all the salons in the area have signs up stating it's offered there.
The results so far have been great, although a real good test is someone who I'm still waiting for the 4 day "no wash" period to end.
To be continued....
What brand of BKS are you using? How much does the kit to do the service cost? Are you ordering your product direct online? Thanks in advance.
The 32 oz. bottle is $250. It's the only thing you need to do the process. I'm afraid to buy it online due to you don't know what you're getting.
I was not pleased with my last one. She had very thick curly hair and after the 4 day not washing period I had to do it again and it's still not good.
So where are you buying this product if you are not getting it online? Does any of your local distributors carry it? Which brand are you using? Thanks.
Hi Everyone,
I have been doing this process since March. I do it several times a week. If anyone has any questions about the procedure, product, safety etc, I would be happy to answer them.
I do all types of Relaxers and straighteners. I consider it my specialty.
Denise Kingsley/ Denver Colorado
I have spoken to the powers that be at Mark Garrisons salon. I passed along the following information to them, as well as Frederic Fekkai salons. I also have given this information to salons all over the country.
I use a fume extractor. It is placed next to the head and the fumes are pulled into the extractor and filtered through a very expensive filtration system designed for formaldehyde.
I have been using this for a month and it works beautifully.
My clients no longer wear masks. I no longer wear a mask. The whole process is quite uneventful, except for the fact that the client has nice straight silky hair.
I would not do the process without the fume extractor. It cost me a lot of money but it is worth every penny.
In the beginning I was not concerned, but since the demand for the service increased, the fumes did as well. Although I was never concerned for the safety of the client, I was concerned for myself and my fellow stylists. I began a quest to solve the problem and I believe that I did.
I have worked closely with the fume extractor company in the past month, to make sure the unit performs the way I need it to in the salon environment. It works beautifully for me. They plan on publishing their findings on extensive testing of the unit using the Brazilian Keratin Treatment that I provided.
I will post that report.
I highly suggest that anyone using this treatment, or any other treatment with chemicals, use this unit.
If anyone is interested in checking this out, I will be happy to pass along the information.
Denise Kingsley/Denver Colorado
I really would love to speak with you. Any ideas on why the one I did twice on tight, thick curly hair didn't work well? Where are you getting your product. I'm waiting for a client to come in today and get it washed for the first time. If it didn't perform correctly, I don't know what else to do. PLEASE HELP!
Thanks in advance
Dear Denise Kingsley
Welcome to the BTC Talk Back Boards! Please take a few moments to read over the board rules in the green box above. Thanks so much for sharing the information you have.
Jerri, I am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune.
There are BKT's without formaldehyde that don't last as long but work great. I've just purchased wonderful masks from icanbreathe.com . They are perfect for both the stylist and the client. Not at all bulky. Anyone doing the BkT should certainly invest in them.
I tried the Rejuvenol product and it left the hair with a film that I didn't get with Lasio. Do any of you get a film where the hair feels dirty when using?
I am still interested in knowing what product xlpinkkittylxwas using. Please reply! Thanks.
I agree that all stylists should be aware of all hazards in our environment (the salon).
I believe the Brazilian Keratin Treatment and the Coppola Keratin Complex Hair Therapy to be upfront and honest in their list of ingredients and their proper usage.
If a manufacturer or distributor did not procure the information I needed about a product, I would gladly post the name of the product, company and distributor. I would also contact the company directly.
I am a hair texture specialist and I work all of the time to investigate all these products as well as any defrizzing/ straightening/perming, Fusion, Relaxer,etc, chemical.
As a professional I wouldn't dream of using anything on a client without complete knowledge of the product.
There is a lot of misinformation out there. We are constantly lied to and manipulated by manufacturers. They want us to spend our hard earned dollars on their company and their company only.
Just because we are licensed does not mean we stop learning. We also have to take everything we hear with a huge grain of salt, and investigate everything.
If a stylist or salon does not want to offer a service, send them to a texture specialist who is knowledgeable and experienced and prepared to safely perform the needed service.
As a specialist I have many many clients who come to me for their texture services yet have a regular stylist and or colorist. I will work with their stylist as well. We are a team for the client.
I am an owner of a salon that has just become certified in the coppolla treatment method...
I researched the Brazilian and was uncomfortable with the reported side effects and was thrilled when I heard about a newer, safer, option. I invested a bit of money in the irons and keratin and we really took off running... people were eager to do the treatments.
Our salon is quite small in sq ft. and we have been doing at least one treatment a day for the last two weeks. I feel like my nose is going to burst into flame. I have bloody sores on the insides of both nostrils. I also have a tightness in my throat and chest that seem related. I sound hoarse. My staff has also complained of respitory symptoms and I am so so SAD if this is related to the treatments. We love the results ... and in a difficult economy this is really some awesome revenue...
Has anyone else had similar problems? Any advice? Is there a truly safe method? Or is it when ever you vaporize anything it becomes caustic. Help!!! I am pulling the treatment after tomorrow until I can find more info and feel like I am not harming myself or staff.
Jenna
For anyone doing ANY keratin treatment...formaldehyde, aldehyde or ether..., use a fume extractor. You will need to move it around a bit but once you get a routine it will solve the vapor issues.
I have been working with Jeff at Modern solutions on a design that is relatively easy to use for this process.
Contact him and tell him I sent you for special pricing.
1-800-288-2023 Modern Solutions
This discussion board is just great. At the IBS NY, I came across someone using these "I CAN BREATHE! MASKS" It's a small, convenient carbon mask that has made a big difference in my salon. I no longer get that itchy, dry throat. I wear mine throughout the entire process and give one to the client during the time I am blow drying the product into the hair. That seems to be the only time the client is bothered by it. I bought a mask holder for my self so it stays on me but the client only holds hers in place. I use my many times before getting rid of it.
Read my post. I wear the mask the whole time and it made a big difference. What product are you using?
I'm telling you those masks are great. I had the same problems before using them. (Read one of my previous blogs)
I also believe that if it's not formaldehyde, they are putting something else in it.
I hope you're okay. I look forward to hearing about what the said says. Thanks for the info.
These treatment are incredible for some heads of hair. HOWEVER, you must take precautions when using them. As Joan say, a mask is great, but it does not help the other people in the salon. You need to use a Source Capture System. I have been using one for 2 years.
I would assume that you are sensitive to the ingredients. Surprisingly there is much more formaldehyde in second hand smoke. I hope you will be fine.
To anyone doing any of these treatments Please contact Jeff at Modern Solutions Inc. and purchase a Source Capture System.
Just call him ant talk to him. He has all of the information and scientific data about the air and the chemicals. It is worth your time and money. I do not work for him! I am just a hard working stylist who loves to have the option of using these treatments, yet I want to use them in a safe environment. AND, I want others to be safe as well.
Modern Solutions
800-288-2023
608-358-6065
I called Coppola asking for an MSDS and they asked me, quite defensively, " what do you need that for and are you a salon owner?" So they were supposed to e-mail it to me and never did. I called back a few times but to no avail. Eventually I got someone on the phone they told me that it contained cinnamaldehyde and that it was a fragrance aldehyde. I have had reactions to this product as well. Headaches,burning nose, and coughing.
I don't know about Pa, but there is nothing in the State Board regulations of Colorado about Hair straightening, other than relaxers. The regulations are out of touch with our fast pace business.
It has always been my belief that these treatments are no worse than other things we have subjected ourselves to over many decades.
What must be considered is the safe use of all chemicals, whether they are absorbed into our skin or inhaled.
These treatments are amazing for the hair and must continue to be available. It is important for each stylist and salon to do their due diligence when applying these to the hair. Create a safe, healthy, clean salon environment. This applies to everything we do including nails, skin, hair. Keep the air filtered and fresh. Follow proper procudure for salon sanitation.
When applying a keratin treatment, whether it has formaldehyde, aldehyde, ether or polymers, etc... use a source capture system and prevent the vapors from entering the salon air, AT THE SOURCE!
If a treatment is thio based. It cannot be compared to the keratin straighteners.We have different classes of smoothers/straighteners.
We have "relaxers" which are generally sodium hydroxide based, these destroy bonds.
We have "chemical straighteners" that are thio or cysteamine based. These swell the hair and break bonds.
We have keratin straighteners, these coat the hair.
I use keratin straighteners on certain hair types. These hair types are not healthy enough to use any other product.
In my opinion there is a need for all of these. Use them safely. That is the key. I sound like a broken record, but... I use a source capture system that eliminates the vapors as they come off of the head. Buy one. It is well worth the money!
I am sure that posting the name is alright. What is the product? If it uses thio, it still is not considered a keratin treatment as we are referring to them.
It may be a nice product, but it would still be in the chemical class of straighteners that penetrait the cuticle.
I work for Lasio. The bottom line is that there are many different kinds of products in the market to fit many different needs. As far as the Brazilian goes the fact is that they contain formaldehyde or an aldehyde of some sort. We always suggest a mask and gloves be worn while doing this process and we always suggest proper ventilation. Not only because of the formaldehyde but because most products when blown into the hair will fume. The OSHA limit for formaldehyde in the air in ppm is 70 ppm. The CIR limit for formaldehyde use in a cosmetic product designed for skin contact is 2%. The normal side effects of using this product is slight tingling of the eyes, nose and throat. The effects are similar to that of using hair bleach or chopping an onion. Some people might be more sensitive than others and this is true for many things. Just keep in mind that improper use of anything has the potential for harm. Also keep in mind that formaldehyde in much higher concentrations has been used in other professions for years and formaldehyde is found daily in many things we come into contact with. All that I am saying is to keep it all in perspective, find unbiased information, and make an educated decision.
I too have tried to find information on other companies and I can relate to some frustrations here. Sometimes it is difficult to find actual information as far as formaldehyde/aldehyde levels and so forth. The content in Lasio is .02%. It is a very low level. I offer as much support to our clients as I can. If you have any questions I will answer them to the best of my ability. If I don't have an answer I will try to find it for you.
Lasio is a spray on treatment that does not leave the hair filmy or heavy. We also have a 24 hour formula that can be washed 24 hrs after the service is done. It lasts 3-4 months. 212-477-2099
Today was a TERRIBLE day at the salon I worked for: I got fired for reporting it to the Florida's DBPR (Dpt. of Business Regulation) because their infrastructure was inadequate for performing the Brazilian Keratin Treatment.
After many of us presented symptoms, from runny noses, itchy eyes, to full-blown rashes, burning, hives and/or bronchitis, as well as headaches, nausea and migraines, among others, I approached the salon's owner to ask her if she could put in an extractor to aid in the purification of the highly contaminated air after performing about 20 treatments per week. She had the nerve to blow me off and said to my face that she didn't care we were all dieing a slow death in the salon, as long as most customers were happy. Some customers have complained, while a few have chosen not to return to the salon for services because of their reactions to the BKT fumes. However, most clients rave about the benefits the treatment has brought to their hair, and continue to get the service periodically.
The exposure is inevitable, even for those who do not perform the BKT service, as there are large common areas with many stations, and all of us got to breathe in the toxic gases emitted while blow-drying and flat-ironing the hair at 450 degrees.
The Master Colorist and the receptionist quit over the Holidays, because they couldn't bare the fumes.
I'm a free-lance make-up artist and cosmetology student, that worked also as an assistant for one of the stylists who rents chairs at the salon, so, I didn't work FOR the salon itself. However, after two visits from the DBPR's inspector, the owner coerced my boss into having me fired and banished me from the building.
In addition, I know for a fact that many of the employees are unlicensed, including the head hairstylist, who is the only one working with a commission-based agreement, as opposed to the rest of the professsionals, who only rent stations. This stylist was the first promoter of the BKT at the salon, and the other stylists caught on, fearing they would be left out of the hearty profits to be made by this toxic service. The stylist in question also re-exports this BKT product to a third country in Latin America under her name, which would explain why she has coerced the salon owner to get rid of me on many occasions.
My question is: is there any legal action I can take against the salon? Can I sue the manufacturers/importers of this product? Is anyone else willing to join me in a possible class-action suit? What does the FDA have to say about this matter?
I'm really confused as to where to go from here and would appreciate your advice.
Thank you and God Bless!
I would suggest you contact OSHA in your state. The salon where you work is legally responsible to create a safe working environment for their employees. If you are an independent contractor, it is your responsibility.I strongly suggest you look into a source capture system. As I am constantly saying, I use one along with a really effective air purifier.
The manufacturer as well as the distributor are held liable. I recently received copies of Keratin Complex MSDS sheets and they are very vague. This is one area where hairstylists should unite and demand full disclosure of ingredients of all cosmetics.
The product is not the problem. Actually Coppola is a very good product. It is how it is being used.
If a stylist is unhappy with what is happening in their salon as far as the fumes from any of these treatments, please contact me at DeniseKingsley1@aol.com. I am compiling information. I promise ALL information will be confidential.
If you are an IC, someone owns the salon and they are still responsible to provide a safe environment. So, ICs can contact me as well.
This salon list is growing.
I have been trying to get information about Zerran. I would like to see their list of ingredients and their MSDS sheet. Do you have this information? If you say it is "safe" you must know the ingredients.
I have been using this product for the last year:
http://www.braziliankeratin.com/
I prefer the chocolate treatment. It has low odor and I've had great results. I get the product from Professional Salon Services in Jacksonville, FL: http://www.pssprostore.com/
You can order online and they offer a 4oz. size for $40 so you don't have to buy a huge bottle. Chris Ricketson is the owner and a great guy- tell him Island Sanctuary sent you!
Hi Susan, sorry it took me this long to reply to you but I couldn't remember the name of the mask. It's from ICanBreathe.com. It's a carbon mask and I double it up. I just went to their web site and saw they have honeycomb masks now as well. I don't know the difference, do you? I'll try and find out.
I'm also finding out that I'm not crazy about the Global Keratin Product. The results aren't consistent at all. The non-formaldehyde did nothing for the hair and worse than that, it looked worse after the shampoo. The highest % one didn't do the job at all on a client of mine. I'm so disappointed. They make it so costly to try different keratin treatments. It annoys me to no end.
Lasio is still my favorite! It's consistent and leaves no film at all.
I would love a copy of this. Thank you so much for your efforts.
Joan
717 Soma Ave
Bellmore, ny 11710
Greetings. many of my clients have been asking if I will start doing the Keratin treatments. I have been hesitant
1. becuase I don't really know anything about the products & what to use.
2. what the long term effects are good/bad.
3. the cost involved for me as a stylist & the client. So I started searching for info. my distributor sells the Coopola brand. I just read this forum & wow I am really in shock. sounds like it's just a way for the company to make money.
So what's the truth? are there really products that are natural that will not harm me or my client & will actually work. Honestly is this worth getting into? this seems like a waste of money? I want to hear good & bad comments. what's the risk of doing these on colored hair?
Really I didn't think Keratin actually straightens the hair. honestly the Chi Keratin spray is amazing & really hair that is not overprocessed & and best shampoos and styling products used already contribute to less frizz and create silky hair.
These treatments are safe, as long as you do them correctly and have a way to keep yourself safe from the fumes. All of these keratin treatments create a vapor that should not be inhaled.
They have deceptive, incomplete MSDS and many of them just plain lie. It amazes me that this can be tolerated. I have contacted OSHA and they don't care.
I have done these for about 5 years and I use a source capture system and a really big air purifier. I will sometimes wear a mask.
I am absolutely convinced that hairstylists that do not take the proper precautions will develop serious health issues.
The problem is that the process works great and clients love it. AND you can make pretty good money doing them. That is why I will spend whatever money I need to in order to keep my air clean.
You are doing research that I did 6 years ago. If you read my post you would see tthat I use a source capture system and an air purifier. This solves all the problems stated in your post.
The only time there is a problem is when the product is being heat fused to the hair. With proper extraction this is not an issue. I absolutely advocate the use of these two items.
Once the product is fused to the hair there are no issues. The product is not applied to the scalp so there is no absorption issues.
I have spent a great deal of my time and my money on these concerns. Honestly I am quite frustrated when someone tells me I am wrong about this issue. Especially whe they do not post their name and who they are.
In the past few years I have found that people who constantly tout the dangers of the BKT and ignore the information as to how it can be accomplished safely, are from manufacturers of straightening products. They also market their products in a manner that is equally deceptive. Hairstylists drink" their" kool aid and perform these services with disasterous results.
Please, all stylists, educate yourselves on all these products, bkt, permanent etc. There are product lines out there that are constantly blowing the aiir up our skirts with their claims. This also goes for all the marketing buzz words, ammonia free, vegan, all natural, organic, and on and on. Read the fine print, read the MSDS. Check things out for yourself.
The words to live by are, believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.
You are 100% right. I will agree that it is about the dollar and that manufacturers do not care. The majority of them are deceptive and others are big fat liars!
Every single one of MY clients know exactly what I am putting on their hair. I do not have a "chamber" I use a source capture system. This device is placed right next to the clients head and the vapors are pulled in immediately. There may be trace ammounts that do not get pulled in, hence the use of an additional air purification system.
We should all wear masks, everyday, whether we are using hair color, bleach, hair spray etc. Our exposure levels are off the charts and we should be wearing gloves all day long including when we shampoo.
The problem here is that we DO have to make a living. The keratin treatments work beautifully for those porous heads of hair.
Companies outright LIE. Our reps are ignorant. OSHA does not care. The FDA does not care. I have been in contact with these agencies. I have also been in contact with State representatives.
Many professions have hazardous aspects to them. Coal miners, pest control, construction, food processing, grounds maintenance, flight attendant, house cleaners, health care workers. I can go on and on.
The fact is that this is a way for us to make money to pay our bills. YES, it does have consequences. That is why I spend a great deal of time promoting the use of air purification and extraction.
It is obvious to me that you care a great deal and I commend you for that. You are right when you state that we must continue to seek alternatives. There are companies and chemists working everyday to create better, safer products for us. Until then, it is our job to keep ourselves safe as we work. If one chooses not to do these treatments, there will be someone down the street who does.
As I read your post another thought came to mind.
It seems that one problem is that there are stylists in salons all over doing these. They do not protect themselves nor do they do anything to protect their clients or others in the salon.
If a stylist will not create the proper environment necessary to perform these treatment in a manner which is "safe" for everyone, they should not do them. Other stylists should protest their use in the salon.
I am in a private suite salon. I recently saw signs for "brazilian blowout" pop up on windows in our building. I made it a point to speak with these stylists to inform them. For the most part, my intrusion was not well met. One stylist waved me off by saying she spoke with the chemist and the product is" completely safe" and formaldehyde free. She implied that I was trying to dissuade her because I did not want competition. They had listened to the reps bag of tricks. They had no clue what they were using. Soon afterwards I passed by one room and a stylist was using this product on a 5 year old girl. The room was filled with fumes. It was horrific. This stylist has a suite mate and she told me she was sick all night. I warned them. I suppose they did learn. I am just sorry it had to be at the expense of the 5 year old girls lungs.
I will only work with products that are upfront and honest with their MSDS and list of ingredients, PERIOD.
That product is at least honest in their list of ingredients. The bonding agent is formalin. Liquid formaldehyde, so to speak.
Formaldehyde is technically a gas, so none of these products have formaldehyde in them since they are a liquid. they have very clever name alterations for derivitives on formalin. They all have aldehydes. The aldehydes do not need to be listed if there is under 1% in the solution. Therefore they can have many different aldehydes in quantities less than 1% and never mention them. NEVER LIST THEM. These aldehydes do not cause a problem until they are heated. The reaction is to form a formaldehyde type vapor. Aldehydes are also hidden in the list of ingredients in the word "fragrance"
Unfortunately, an aldehyde is needed to crosslink the polymer solutions to the hair. This is done by the application of heat.
No bonds are altered or interferred with in a BKT. If the hair is too weak for the 450 degree iron, bonds can be destroyed and the hair can burn. If this happens, the hair will feel hard and dry, at best.
Until something drastically changes, you should just assume that there is no completely safe Brazilian keratin treatment. Do not believe the deceptive marketing claims.
I started doing BKT treatments a few months ago using Marcias complex. They told me that the fumes would not be vary noticeable. Once I started doing a few treatments a week people in the salon began complaining. I purchased a mask for myself and clients. That didn't help anyone else and the mask was uncomfortable! We turned down the AC, let a fan run none of it seemed to help. I found a company that sells air purification equipment specially made for the market and that has helped a lot. There are some downsides to it with having to move the hose and it gets in the way, but I'm making good money on the treatments and I don't have anyone in the salon getting upset. Here is a link to the unit I bought: http://bktformaldehyde.com/
I think you can sue anybody, anytime. The problem is with the product labeling and the MSDS. If it is like the typical MSDS it will tell you not to heat the product over a certain temperature, which you did.
As far as your salon owner, it is their responsibility to provide a safe working environment. I would suggest contacting OSHA in your state and filing a complaint.
It is incredibly foolish to do these treatments without using extreme measures to clean the air.
Your salon owner should consider purchasing a source capture system from Aerovex. Along with their air purification system called " the one that works". Each stylist should be trained how to use it properly and it must be kept clean and the filters changed. It is by far the best "fume extractor" out there. I do not sell it nor do I make any money on the sale of these systems,
I am so sorry you are experiencing these problems. Some people are just more sensitive than others, I know I am. Smokers are not sensitive at all but then again they are always intentionally filling their lungs with toxins.
Yours is a story we will begin to hear over and over again until something changes. I do my best to try to find a solution whereas stylists can still offer this treatment to their clients, but they won't have to die doing it.
We must all insist on complete ingredient lists and MSDS!!!!!
http://www.aerovexsystems.com/chemical-source-capture-system-hair-salons/
http://www.aerovexsystems.com/8imptfacts.pdf
is anyone familliar with the product CADIVEU? It claims to be formaldehyde free. The ingredients list cyclomethicone. I think this is what is used in place. Has simillar toxicity warning but is coming up with limited information.
I did my first model with this product on Saturday. The results were impressive, but it did give off fumes that required my model to close her eyes throughout the pressing stage, and my fingers have felt like prunes ever since; I know I should wear gloves, but it's hard to feel where the hair is properly coated in gloves. It claims to be formaldehyde free, but who knows....Marcia did the same thing to my fingers but gave off much worse fumes and left a nasty residue in the hair which the clients have to deal with for days, but with this product, I can rinse and style it out immediately after the service, which is a HUGE plus.
http://recalledproducts.org/recall/view/marcia-teixeira-hair-lotion-brazilian-keratin-treatment
There has always been confusion as to the percentages of formaldehyde releasing preservative agents allowed in cosmetics.
When a product is applied TO THE SKIN/SCALP, the percentage limit is .2percent. ( point 2 )
The keratin treatments are not to be applied to the skin. There is no absorption if it is not applied to the skin. Therefore if it contains "2 percent", it does not pose a problem.
Of course with keratin treatments my concern is air quality and inhilation, not absorption.
Link:
After hearing about Katrina victims health issues from FIMA mobile homes having high levels of formaldehyde, I learned that there is air quality check kits available for purchase online.
There are several companies and price points. Also in my research I learned about air cleaners from this thread.
I hear that if there is formaldehyde in the air good ventalation reduces the number to make it less harmful. I am ordering a kit, I will check air quality now, during a treatment, then after a air cleaner to compare .
I'll keep you posted