OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) issued a hazard alert in June to salons about the potential formaldehyde exposure from working with Brazilian Blowout and other hair smoothing products. These products claim to be “formaldehyde free” yet average 8.8% formaldehyde when tested.

What is formaldehyde and how can it affect my health?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong smelling gas that presents a health hazard. You can be exposed if you breathe it into your lungs, if it gets into your eyes, or if it is contained in a product that gets onto your skin.

Formaldehyde is a "sensitizer," which means that it can cause allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and lungs such as asthma-like breathing problems and skin rashes and itching. When formaldehyde is in a product that gets sprayed into the eyes, it can damage the eyes and cause blindness. It is also a cancer hazard that is linked to nose and lung cancer.

Just a reminder, your health and safety come FIRST!