The Brazilian Blowout is a hair relaxing treatment that reduces frizz without completely straightening the hair. However the chemical compound in Brazilian Blowout formula has caused a stir.

Salons of Dallas face a difficult decision to continue the service or discard it completely. Health Canada released a statement in October, claiming the Brazilian Blowout formula tested contained a large amount of formaldehyde. Not only is the client at risk, but the technician applying the treatment for hours at a time is affected.

Some of the health issues clients and technicians experienced were burning eyes, throat and nose, and some breathing difficulties. The treatment lasts from one to three hours, depending on the length of hair.

The Frederic Fekkai salon in Highland Park Village quit carrying the treatment before the bad reports surfaced. Salon employee Jessica Woods said the “official reason” why the company discontinued the service was the results found from the independent research they conducted on the formula.

“The company did extra research and decided it was not the product they wanted to carry,” Woods said.

However, Lauren Langager, a Brazilian Blowout technician at Osgood O’Neil salon on Lovers Lane, has a different view on the formula.

“It is still very safe to use,” she said.

Osgood O’Neil salon recently received a letter from the Brazilian Blowout Co., announcing the original bad report has now been retracted.

“They said it had formaldehyde in it but now they have retracted that statement. We have never had any problems with the formula and we have been doing it for a while now,” Langager said.

Woods was aware of the recent retraction but is not convinced they completely changed the formula to a safe level. She has her own opinion of what actually happened.

“In reality, the company just tweaked the chemical compound in order to the label of formaldehyde,” Woods said.

Neither the Frederic Fekkai nor the Osgood O’Neil salons of Dallas had any problems with the treatment, both with clients and technicians.

Avalon Salon in Snider Plaza also offers the treatment. Technician Michelle Keys swears by the formula and claims her clients are addicted to it. Keys also believes the media blew a bad report out of proportion. She believes there is such a small percentage of formaldehyde that it is “no big deal at all.”

“In fact, there is more formaldehyde in nail polish than in the Brazilian Blowout formula. The amount of ammonia in the formula is more excessive compared to other product like this one.”

But out of all the brands similar to the Brazilian Blowout, Keys found this one to be the best.

“I have clients saving their money so they can come back every three to four months,” said Keys.

Woods said Frederic Fekkai still receives calls to the salon about booking this treatment but not as many since the bad report was released.

“I think most people are aware of the negative effects,” she said.

But Langager has had a different reaction from clients.

“We have had only a few people who have decided to discontinue the treatment process, but we still have bookings for tons of them,” she said.

“Anyone I have ever done has come back for it. The Brazilian Blowout is a great product that is addicting and life changing,” Keys said.