The health risks associated with hair-smoothing keratin
treatments are still the source of suspicion. Though the formulas used in
salons today typically are less dangerous than the notorious Brazilian original
keratin hair treatment, they still are not hazard-proof.

Keratin is a protein that is naturally found in the
structure of a hair strand. The purpose of a keratin hair treatment is to make
hair smoother, sleeker, straighter and easier to style. The treatment involves
the application of a combination of keratin and formaldehyde (a strong
preservative) to the hair, which fills in the gaps in each hair shat, after
which the stylist “seals” the mixture into the hair, lock by lock, using a very
hot flat iron. At this high temperature, the liquid formaldehyde converts to
gas vapors.

Whether inhaled or absorbed through the skin, formaldehyde
is associated with a myriad of health problems. It can cause irritation of the
skin, eyes, nose and lungs, as well as dizziness or lightheadedness. Even
short-term exposure can cause asthma-like symptoms, while long-term exposure
can cause permanent central nervous system damage and ongoing pulmonary
problems. Moreover, the risk for cancer from long-term exposure to formaldehyde
remains controversial, but there is good data to support a link between
formaldehyde and the development of leukemia (blood cancer).

And you need to be aware of the following:

·        
Many of the hair products
that claim they are formaldehyde-free contain ingredients that convert
into formaldehyde when they break down during the heat application part of
the salon treatment! Ingredients that are synonyms for or that break down into
formaldehyde include formalin, formic aldehyde, methanal, methylene glycol,
methylene oxide, oxomethane and oxymethylene.

·        
Other products that
claim to be formaldehyde-free were found, when tested by the US Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to contain significant levels of
formaldehyde.

·        
The truly
formaldehyde-free products are not effective in smoothing out the hair shafts.

·        
The low-formaldehyde
products, which not as toxic as the formulas with high formaldehyde content,
still carry health risks.

·        
Some salons still use
high-formaldehyde products.

So bottom line, there is currently
no effective salon-performed, keratin-based hair-smoothing product that can be declared
as 100% safe. Even if no negative effects have appeared after a number of uses,
cumulative exposure only increases the health risks associated with
formaldehyde.