Some local salons are playing it safe -- and straight -- by discontinuing a popular chemical hair-straightening treatment.
Brazilian Blowout, first used by celebrities to relax hair follicles for up to 12 weeks, raised concerns recently after a salon in the Portland, Ore., area said clients using it had experienced nosebleeds and breathing problems.
Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Division found unsafe levels of formaldehyde in the solution, which is often labeled "formaldehyde free." In addition, a California study found trace amounts of formaldehyde, but well below levels that its safety and health division considers unsafe for the product.
The concerns are enough for some salons.
"Believe me, we'd love to keep doing them, because the money is great, but that's part of being a reputable business," said Matt Swinney, co-owner of Minneapolis' Evolution, which charges about $250 for it.
The upscale Spalon Montage salon in the Twin Cities issued a statement this month saying it has "suspended the use and sale of the product until further notice." And last week, Aveda Corp. sent out a letter to its partner salons expressing concerns with similar products, and urging them to consider whether to offer the service.
Others are taking a wait-and-see approach.
"The minute something conclusive comes out, of course we would pull it but we just haven't found that to be true," said Andy Paulson, owner of Richfield's La Mode salon, which performs about a dozen Brazilian Blowouts a week.
