Recently, 4 confirmed cases of kidney failure have been reported in connection with Brazilian blowouts. Over the past few years, the Brazilian blowout has become an essential hair treatment. Straightening, taming, reducing frizz, and making styling easier, it’s a dream for many of us! But behind these attractive promises often lie significant health risks.
As hairdressers, you are the first to be exposed to these risks. What is really going on? Which substances are causing the problem, and why? In this article, we break down the facts to help you understand the dangers behind this treatment and how to protect both your health and your clients’.
As you know, Brazilian blowout is a keratin-based treatment, keratin being the protein naturally present in hair that smooths the hair fiber. It delivers smoother, softer, easier-to-style, frizz-free hair for an average of three months.
To achieve such results, the composition is unfortunately far from healthy. The mixture applied to your clients works on the hair fiber during a processing time of 30 to 60 minutes.
A Brazilian blowout formula usually contains:
Keratin: The key ingredient to replenish the hair fiber, smooth it, and supposedly make it more resistant.
Amino acids: Meant to nourish and restructure the hair.
Formaldehyde: Used to lock keratin into the hair fiber. One of the most controversial ingredients, as it is the reason hair remains smooth for months. The WHO (World Health Organization) has classified it as a carcinogenic substance.
Glyoxylic acid: Marketed as an “alternative” to formaldehyde, allowing temporary modification of the hair structure. However, recent studies link it to cases of kidney failure, making its safety questionable.
Silicones and oils: Often added to give shine and protect the hair from external damage.
Preservatives: To prolong product shelf life, common examples include parabens, sulfates, or synthetic preservatives such as phenoxyethanol.
Strong straightening agents: Some treatments, especially those targeting very curly hair, contain harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide.
Emollients and conditioning agents: Added to soften the hair and make detangling easier, reducing frizz and improving manageability.
Fragrances: Used to mask the strong odor of certain chemicals like glyoxylic acid or formaldehyde, making the treatment more pleasant to apply.
A hair treatment that promises “miracle” results inevitably comes with a long and often controversial ingredient list. The real question is: what are the true dangers of Brazilian blowout?
Formaldehyde has been known for years to be a dangerous component. In 2024, the WHO (World Health Organization) classified it as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). This means that there is sufficient evidence showing that prolonged exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of developing certain cancers, such as cancers of the respiratory tract or leukemia.
According to the INRS (French National Institute for Research and Safety), formaldehyde is flammable, corrosive, and toxic. Additionally, symptoms such as eye and skin irritation, coughing, breathing difficulties, or even allergies may also appear.
As a hairdresser, you have probably already experienced one of these symptoms. You are exposed to these risks daily and are also more likely to develop chronic rhinitis or chronic bronchitis.
Since the beginning of the year, ANSES (French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety) has received four reports of acute kidney failure linked to the use of Brazilian blowout products. Three cases of poisoning occurred between January and August 2024, and a fourth case was reported in October. However, the actual number of affected people may be much higher.
In-depth studies are currently being conducted by ANSES. While these are still ongoing, the agency urges caution and advises against the use of smoothing products containing glyoxylic acid.
If this ingredient sounds familiar to you and you suspect you’ve been exposed to glyoxylic acid, be aware that signs of kidney failure may appear a few hours after exposure. Symptoms include abdominal or lower back pain, nausea, and/or vomiting. It is imperative to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or contact a poison control center, specifying the use of a Brazilian blowout.
Just because you work in the hairdressing industry doesn’t mean you should expose yourself to unnecessary risks. It has become imperative and urgent to take care of yourself and your health. Cases of kidney failure must be taken seriously because, as a hairdresser, you could also find yourself in this situation. Four reported cases in less than a year is significant, and it can be frightening.
You can work completely safely by using professional, healthy, natural products. Be sure to choose products that are TRULY eco-friendly, such as those certified by a trusted ecological label. Hairborist products are certified by Ecogarantie, the strictest label in Europe, a real guarantee of quality.
Say goodbye to Brazilian blowouts, chemical dyes, and harmful hair treatments. Say hello to natural products with transparent compositions, and to plant-based coloring.
At Hairborist, this philosophy has been at the heart of our work from the start. Beyond our ultra-clean products, we have developed a complete eco-friendly and natural concept that you can implement in your own salon. We call this a plant-based hair salon.
In this type of salon, you’ll find certified natural products, gentle hair treatments suitable for everyone, and even a bulk refill concept that truly helps protect the environment. You can also transform your salon into a true well-being sanctuary, becoming a model for a sustainable future. These are the values we stand for at Hairborist.
In our view, this kind of eco-friendly concept represents the future, and conventional hair salons will gradually disappear. You will no longer need to be a Brazilian blowout hairdresser. Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important, and collective awareness is growing. If the Hairborist ecological concept inspires you, we invite you to contact us. Our advisors will be happy to guide you in making a successful eco-friendly transition in your salon.
