Hair smoothing treatments have become increasingly popular in the present day. Why? In many ways, it is considered an easy and quick fix to unruly, frizzy hair. It also made its way into the beauty regime of various people looking to achieve the desired texture and feel for their hair. However, have you ever stopped and actually looked at what’s in them? All these smoothing treatments may work in your favor with respect to a transformation, but at what cost? And is it for keeps?
Did you know that these hair smoothing products release unsafe amounts of the toxic chemical formaldehyde into the air, putting both consumers and stylists at a health risk?
According to an article on the governmental website of the FDA, “Most hair smoothing or straightening products release formaldehyde gas, a known human carcinogen as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, into the air during the hair straightening or smoothing process. Formaldehyde exposure can cause both short-and long-term effects that may impact your health.”
Formaldehyde is a flammable gas that is often colorless and has a distinct smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. In its liquid form, it is called methylene glycol or formalin.
During a hair smoothing treatment, products containing harmful chemicals that may release formaldehyde are applied to the hair and then sealed in with a heating tool. When this formulation is exposed to heat, formaldehyde gets released into the air causing potential health risks. Some of the side effects can include eye irritation, headaches and dizziness, respiratory issues, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and sometimes even cancer with long-term exposure.
So, how can you be better informed of such things? The answer is to take it one step at a time. First, educate and learn. Always read every product label and understand what the ingredients that are being used in a particular treatment are. Furthermore, research the ingredients listed on the labels and ensure all ingredients are not causing any potentially harmful side effects. Another recommendation would be to stick to only buying products that are transparent with their ingredient list.
All in all, hair smoothing treatments do contain ingredients that can cause serious damage to your health. So your best bet would be investing in long-term hair care rather than opting for quick and easy fixes like these.
Check out our official website for luxury haircare with naturally-derived ingredients that are sourced in a cruelty-free manner. With science-backed formulations, these products are vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for use.