What is a Brazilian blowout?
You’ve likely heard the term before, but maybe you’re unsure of what it means…
I honestly had no idea what the term meant when I originally heard it. But the name alone intrigued me; doesn’t it sound exotic and fun?
Not to mention, it’s a pretty expensive service to have performed… which made me want to figure it out even more.
So after wondering for what felt like forever, I decided to investigate. It turns out that Brazilian blowouts, similar to keratin smoothing treatments, are just a semi-permanent way of straightening your hair.
This treatment works wonders on curly, frizzy hair, but let me warn you… there’s a little bit of controversy surrounding this service.
Controversy about what? Keep reading to discover all the dirty details…
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So What Is A Brazilian Blowout?
A Brazilian blowout is a hair treatment that semi-permanently straightens and removes frizz from your hair.
It works by sealing liquid keratin and a preservative solution into your hair with a hot iron. The iron closes the hair cuticle, which traps the keratin in your hair.
The results last about three months, and unlike traditional chemical relaxers, it can be used on all types of hair, including chemically-treated hair.
However, unlike a traditional chemical relaxer, there’s no guarantee that your hair will be completely straight. In most cases, it only reduces 50-80 percent of the curl.
The most significant benefit of a Brazilian blowout is that it eliminates frizz and smoothes the hair. It even works wonders on damaged hair.
It’s recommended to use a traditional relaxer on ethnic hair, which is kinky-curly and coarse, but the Brazilian blowout would definitely help recondition and smooth the hair after.
How to Perform This Service:
- The first step is to clarify the hair. This removes buildup caused by things like hair products and medications. Clarifying the hair is typically performed before things like perms as well.
- Next, after the hair is towel dried, the keratin treatment must be applied in small subsections, from the root to end.
- While the product is still in the hair, the hair needs to be blow-dried as straight as possible. When the hair is completely dry, it should be flat-ironed to seal it into the cuticle.
- After the hair is completely straight, rinse it out and recondition.
- Finally, blow-dry and flat iron again. Style as desired.
Voila! You have just completed a Brazilian blowout!
It’s also recommended that the customer refrains from washing their hair or using hair ties for four days after the service.
Why Is It So Expensive?
First off, it takes a lot of the hair stylist’s time to apply the solution, blow-dry, and style your hair not once but twice.
Besides that, it’s a pretty costly product for us professionals to purchase. A keratin treatment kit costs anywhere from $100-$400 for the hairstylist to purchase.
Another cost to keep in mind is that you need to use a specific shampoo, conditioner, and styling aids to keep your hair in good condition. The self-titled Brazilian Blowout brand makes the best products for it.
Can I Do It Myself?
Ahhhh, the do-it-at-home type… a hairstylist’s nightmare.
Remember, you get what you pay for. I always recommend consulting with a professional who has been trained to do your hair. If not, you risk messing it up.
Remember that one time you tried to dye your hair dark brown, but it turned green instead? And then remember that you had to pay a professional to fix it, which cost more money in the long run…
But even with the risks involved, there are still the ones who always want to try it.
…and for that reason, I’ll recommend that you check out the Kerazon kit, which you can buy on Amazon. But do keep in mind that it may not turn out as good, may not last as long, and there are some health risks involved, which brings me to my next point…
What So Controversial About This Service?
There is a lot of controversy that goes along with a Brazilian blowout.
Companies that make it claim that it’s completely safe… however, these products usually contain high concentrates of bad chemicals in them. Some countries like Canada and different places in Europe have even banned this service.
The main issue is that these products contain aldehyde chemicals, that when heated to a high enough temperature (like that of a flat-iron), mutate into formaldehyde.
Companies have tried to disguise some of these chemicals as other names like Methylene Glycol to keep their name safe. The FDA has recently ordered companies to reduce the bad chemicals and not claim that their product is formaldehyde-free.
And in case you didn’t know, formaldehyde is a carcinogen, which means that it’s known to cause cancer.
Hairstylists who have performed keratin treatments have reported eye disorders, nervous system disorders, respiratory tract problems, nausea, chest pains, vomiting, and rash.
So, all in all, I do recommend that you use it at your own risk.
FAQ
The liquid keratin bonds to each strand of hair to give it a protective coating, which reduces frizz and protects the hair from damage.
They are not necessarily bad for your hair and can actually improve your hair condition. However, the chemicals used in these products may be bad for your health.
This treatment averages about $400 per session. This can easily add up to $2,000 per year.
Brazilian blowouts are better at reducing frizz without reducing the curl. However, keratin treatments straighten the curl while also reducing frizz.
Final Thoughts
Brazilian blowouts are a great way to tame curls and smooth down frizz without permanently altering the hair.
However, they can be quite expensive to keep up and may cause health issues or allergic reactions. It’s best to have this treatment done at your own risk.
Until next time,
Your Turn: Have you ever had a Brazilian blowout performed on your hair? What was your experience like? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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