My hair often has its own agenda. One that pretty much involves forcing me and it to become recluses and live the life of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”
My hair is definitely the Bette Davis character.
Then last summer, I heard about a treatment called Brazilian hair-straightening,and impulsively went to have it done.
After they showed me before and after photos, from dry and frizzy to pin-straight and glossy, I gladly handed over my $200.
The only odd part was they kept emphasizing the fact that it was all-natural. Thee does protest too much.
The treatment involved applying the concoction, then flat ironing it into the hair. It was going well until I looked up to find the woman suddenly dressed in gloves and a mask, like she’d be heading straight to her night job as an asbestos remover.
When I got home I researched the treatment. Yes, I know this paragraph should come before the one about how I went to get it done, but I’m a bit dyslexic that way.
Anyway, I found all these articles online about how formaldehyde is the ingredient that facilitates the straightening. Yes, the very same chemical used to preserve three-headed fetuses at that creepy museum you went to in the 7th grade. Yes, the known cancer-causing carcinogen.
I was pissed that they never thought to mention this to me, and that she kept emphasizing that it was all-natural. Yes, maybe formaldehyde is technically all-natural, but so too is arsenic, but that doesn’t mean I want it flat ironed into my hair.
But I angrily digress. The final result: My hair was pin-straight and shiny.
It lasted 2-3 months as promised, but I would never do it again, knowing now what everyone forget to tell me then.
If you’re looking for a non-formaldehyde straightening option, try the Conair Infiniti blow-dryer, which straightens your hair as you dry. Plus it gives you options, like leaving hair a little wavy, flipping it up at the ends and not poisoning yourself with formaldehyde.
Has anyone else had this treatment done? Anyone think it’s worth the risk?
After they showed me before and after photos, from dry and frizzy to pin-straight and glossy, I gladly handed over my $200.
The only odd part was they kept emphasizing the fact that it was all-natural. Thee does protest too much.
The treatment involved applying the concoction, then flat ironing it into the hair. It was going well until I looked up to find the woman suddenly dressed in gloves and a mask, like she’d be heading straight to her night job as an asbestos remover.
When I got home I researched the treatment. Yes, I know this paragraph should come before the one about how I went to get it done, but I’m a bit dyslexic that way.
Anyway, I found all these articles online about how formaldehyde is the ingredient that facilitates the straightening. Yes, the very same chemical used to preserve three-headed fetuses at that creepy museum you went to in the 7th grade. Yes, the known cancer-causing carcinogen.
I was pissed that they never thought to mention this to me, and that she kept emphasizing that it was all-natural. Yes, maybe formaldehyde is technically all-natural, but so too is arsenic, but that doesn’t mean I want it flat ironed into my hair.
But I angrily digress. The final result: My hair was pin-straight and shiny.
It lasted 2-3 months as promised, but I would never do it again, knowing now what everyone forget to tell me then.
If you’re looking for a non-formaldehyde straightening option, try the Conair Infiniti blow-dryer, which straightens your hair as you dry. Plus it gives you options, like leaving hair a little wavy, flipping it up at the ends and not poisoning yourself with formaldehyde.
Has anyone else had this treatment done? Anyone think it’s worth the risk?
HA!!! But you are, Jenny, you ARE in that chair...or at least you were :). (I just can't think of this movie without that quote). I would have run for the HILLS when I saw her don a mask.
Allure had a really good article about the Brazilian hair straightening about a year ago. The farthest along that path I go are relaxers, and I try to stretch those as far as I can. Wrapping my hair every night in a silk scarf does wonders too.
The things we do for beauty...
Posted by: Alexandria | March 20, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Hey Alexandria,
Hmm a silk scarf. I'm going to have to try that because when I wake up my hair looks like I've just escaped from an insane asylum.
Yes, the things we do (unknowingly) for beauty:)
jenny
Posted by: jenny | March 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I haven't tried the treatment, although my hair could probably use it! I do own the blow dryer which I bought after your review. I love this thing! I have thick, frizzy, curly hair. When I use my "designer" it is smooth and shiny with a slight wave to it. Amazing!
Posted by: Carey | March 20, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Holy shit. Is all I have to say. How come every beauty treatment labeled "Brazilian" is crazy and borderline dangerous?
Posted by: Apocalypstick | March 21, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Hey Apocalypstick,
I read that in Brazil there's a clinic for the poor where they give out free Botox injections. I think that says it all.
jenny
Posted by: jenny | March 21, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Is it bad that I still want to try it anyway? Clearly I have issues.
Posted by: Meredith | March 21, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Hey Meredith,
Maybe you're just a rebel who likes living on the edge. I suppose it's better than say, freebasing or something:)
jenny
Posted by: jenny | March 21, 2009 at 06:49 PM
I got this done when I lived in Argentina actually. It was super cheap there and the after pics looked amazing. (I have curly/frizzy hair naturally). Well this stuff worked for ONE year, I had glistening, glowing, beautiful and perfectly straight hair for one year. Unfortunatly that was 4 years ago, and to this day my hair has never been the same. My hair used to be thick, and now it's thin. It used to be a lot healthier, and now it's much more lifeless and weak. I try all different kinds of shampoos and treatments but I will never get my hair back. I have been to the best hair stylists in NYC who told me I've permanently damaged my hair follicles, so I'll never again get my hair back. In other words, it's not worth it. DON'T do it.
Posted by: Sheryl | November 19, 2009 at 12:03 AM