In an article for the New York Times, reporter Elizabeth Hayt shares a solution for women whose hair has been ruined by years of highlighting, bleaching, and chemical straightening: Brazilian Keratin Treatment.
Meet Deborah Epstein, 32, a law student from Forest Hills, Queens. Her hair was so fragile a ponytail holder could snap it off. Then she tried the Brazilian Keratin Treatment. She cried after seeing the amazing transformation of her hair.
Mark Garrison, a New York stylist who offers the treatment, remarked in the article: “For a woman who had a thorn bush for hair and now it’s like silk, well, we’re talking revolution.”
This treatment is known as a progressive blow-dry, or “escova progressive” in Brazil where it originates. In the US, it has been available for less than a year.
The treatment lasts anywhere from six weeks to several months, and can cost from $150 to $600. The solution is made of keratin, which is a protein similar to that found in human hair. Finally, the formula is sealed onto the hair shaft using a hot iron, where it traps in moisture and adds a glossy finish.
Aside from the hot iron (450 degrees!), another potential risk is that the formula contains formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen that can irritate eyes and lungs. However, a spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration reported that there are no restrictions on the use of formaldehyde in cosmetics.
Salons can be located online; go to www.braziliankeratin.com or www.brazilianhairstraightening.com.