Brazilian Blowout Hair Straightener Is Dangerous says FDA
Reported November 12, 2011
The FDA has warned the Brazilian Blowout hair care company that its hair straightening products contain “dangerously high levels” of formaldehyde. It ordered the firm to reduce levels of the liquid chemical or face removal of the items from the marketplace.
The FDA says in a news release that Brazilian Blowout products are “adulterated” and misbranded, containing misleading labels and advertising that falsely claim the products are formaldehyde-free.
The FDA told the company it has until Sept. 12 to comply with the agency’s directive.
It described Brazilian Blowout as a “notorious hair straightening products company” and said it found levels of the liquid form of formaldehyde ranging from 8.7% to 10.4%.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires an occupational hazard alert at levels higher than 0.1%, the FDA says.
Mike Brady, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles-based company, tells WebMD that its products contain “a separate substance from formaldehyde” and are safe. He says “the hair smoothing category is extremely popular” around the country and that the company’s products meet OSHA standards and can still be used.
But the FDA in its statement disagrees that the company’s products are safe or that anything other than formaldehyde is used.
“Formaldehyde, commonly found in a number of ‘Brazilian style’ keratin-based hair straighteners, is extremely dangerous and a known carcinogen,” the FDA says.
It says salon workers and consumers have reported a number of injuries to the FDA due to use of the products, including eye and nervous system disorders, respiratory tract problems, chest pain, vomiting, and rash.