Keratin & Hair Straightening Treatments

Hair for the People does not offer Brazilian Blowout or any keratin smoothing treatments that release formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.

Brazilian Blowout and similar hair-straightening systems have been the subject of regulatory and scientific scrutiny due to their reliance on ingredients that release formaldehyde when heated. Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen by major health authorities.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/hair-smoothing-products-release-formaldehyde-when-heated

Independent testing has shown that some products marketed as “formaldehyde-free” can still emit formaldehyde at levels that exceed occupational safety limits during salon use.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Brazilian Blowout investigation
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2020/10/timeline-fdas-failure-regulate-brazilian-blowout-hair-treatments

Large-scale epidemiological research has also identified associations between frequent use of chemical hair straightening products and an increased risk of certain cancers, including uterine cancer.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hair-straightening-chemicals-associated-higher-uterine-cancer-risk

Because of these well-documented concerns, we choose not to perform Brazilian Blowouts or similar keratin treatments. This decision reflects our commitment to long-term health, hair integrity, and workplace safety for both clients and professionals.

We instead focus on conditioning, repair-led treatments and cutting and colouring techniques that improve manageability without compromising wellbeing.