Brazilian Blowout Zero: New Formaldehyde-Free Formula

by Deborah Dunham (Subscribe to Deborah Dunham's posts)
Posted Mar 4th 2011 at 11:10AM

In the wake of mounting accusations over the safety of its popular $400 hair-straightening treatment, Brazilian Blowout, the company is now openly addressing the controversy of its formula while rolling out a new -- and formaldehyde-free -- line.

Brazilian Blowout Zero appears to be the company's solution for the slew of negative publicity and saftey concerns over its original product. Their other solution lies in directly addressing consumer's concerns.

On its web site, the North Hollywood-based manufacturer states "adversity is a fact of life. It can't be controlled." It goes on to state that they have reacted to the concerns that its original product contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, by creating a brand new line.

Brazilian Blowout Zero reportedly contains the same hair-straightening capability, but without formaldehyde in its formula. Instead, it is said to include a different active ingredient, glycolic acid, along with a new scent. According to Brazilian Blowout CEO, Mike Brady, the new product "lets salons know there's zero difference in the way they do it, zero difference with the end result, zero controversy, zero media calamity and zero formaldehyde emissions."

The controversy over the origninal Brazilian Blowout began last fall when the company faced a backlash from two Portland salons who reported eye and nose irritation after using the product. Since then, the FDA has launched an investigation and the California state attorney general's office has filed a lawsuit over false packaging claims.

Brady also told WWD.com that he's not as concerned about the media frenzy as one might think. In fact, he claims it has resulted in significant growth in the brand's overall awareness.

"For better or worse, before the media storm maybe 10 million people knew who we were. Now, about 200 million [people] know us."

Brazilian Blowout Zero. Photo: BrazilianBlowout.com

And even with all of the accusations, he said clients are still loyal. "Despite the media craziness, what remains constant is a woman thinks her hair looks wonderful with it. It's an internal conflict they have."

Brady continues to stand by his original product saying it isn't going anywhere. Instead, the company will now carry both lines. And he's leaving it up to the salons to market them.

"No disrespect, but I am not engaging with the news media. We sell to licensed salons and we are allowing them to spread the word. This is what they do for a living," he said.

Leave a comment telling us whether you will give the Brazilian Blowout Zero line a try.

Read about one user's experience with the Brazilian Blowout.

Read All Comments

Filed under: Hair Care, Hair, News
Tags: brazilian blowout, brazilian blowout zero, hair care products, hair straightening treatment, keratin hair treatment, mike brady, straight hair, video

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READER COMMENTS

(15)Add A Comment

Tony Miller, 3-05-2011, 3:30PM

Just tried the new Brazilian Blowout Zero on my daughter. Worked great. The original formula does too. It's too bad about the false reports from OSHA, Ore. It reminds me of The Salem Witch trials.Sloppy science and false reports brings about hysteria and innocent people destroyed.
The bright side is that demand for the BB is higher than ever among intelligent people and filters out the hate and fear mongers.A much more fun clientele.

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Tony Miller, 3-04-2011, 1:11PM

There is no test I am aware of that shows Brazilian Blowout exceeds any safety level. OSHA confirmed that actual salon monitoring for formaldehyde averaged .079 which is only trace amounts. If you flat iron virgin hair you will get .060. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring organic compound that is everywhere.You are breathing trace amounts right now. OSHA's limit of .5 was never exceeded by the BB.
The false report of OSHA was the methylene glycol is formaldehyde. IT IS NOT!! Let me repeat methylene glycol is NOT formaldehyde. Methylene glycol is a LIQUID. Formaldehyde is a GAS. Methylene glycol is made by combining formaldehyde with water..BUT..once converted to methylene glycol it ceases to be even related to formaldehyde, it moves over to the glycol group. Methylene glycol is more related to alcohol than to formaldehyde. A comparison is that water is composed of two parts of a VERY explosive GAS, Hydrogen...yes...like the bomb. Are you afraid of water?
OHSA and various news organizations are creating REAL diseases by fear mongering and should be held responsible( see THE Nocebo effect ; harvardmagazine.com/2005/05/the-nocebo-effect.html

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David Allice, 3-04-2011, 11:31PM

It may not contain Formaldehdye but Sodium Hydroxide is another name for Lye.

Wendi, 3-06-2011, 3:12PM

I had a Brazilian blowout treatment in August and my hair still looks great! Ever since I can remember, I hated my fuzzy, curly unmangeable hair. I am out of the product, but have now switched to Morrocan Oil shampoo, conditioner, and leave in oil because the brazilian blow out products are too expensive. Anyone in ATL know where I can purchase them and get a 2nd treatment for a reasonable price?

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Lydia, 3-15-2011, 8:22PM

Right now visavis on Buckhead Avenue in Atlanta has a special through 3/31/2011. Brazilian Blowout Zero is $200 as opposed to $300. Mention the special when you schedule the appointment. They do ask for deposit. I love VisAVis. They offer car wash services as well.

Bella Blu, 3-06-2011, 7:00PM

Bizarre comments all round.
Tony you sound like a rep for BB.
Truth is they lied and now they're coming back with a new 'clean' product.

Who knows what they've done this time, and whether anyone will ever trust their products again, esepcially when there are so many Formaldehyde products now available direct from Brazil, where the treatment is known as Escova Progressiva.

My guess is that smart stylists and at home users will look for safer products from companies with a proven track record and a little more respect for human life...

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Noelle, 3-07-2011, 6:48AM

Wasn't the first formula supposed to be Formaldehyde free? Why should I trust the new one? I'll wait until Aveda comes out with it's own this summer that is 75% organic. Thanks for the lies.

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RB, 3-08-2011, 8:50PM

Aveda rocks.Thats all I use.

mara, 5-22-2011, 12:29AM

I don't like breathing formaldehyde. Smells like money to stylists. They will face the health consequences. The manufacturer needs to get a good lawyer.

Chris Alan, 6-03-2011, 12:12AM

AVEDAs Retexurizing treatment in not the same thing. It is a permanent hair retexturizer, not temporary like keratin Treatments. AVEDA's treatment is a thioglycolate base. Similar to a relaxer, but its a little bit different. Its packed with essential oils to nourish, protect, and condition the hair as it is put to work.
Im a stylist @ an AVEDA Lifestyle salon and I personally like all the options we have. I also perform Brazilian Blowout original Solution, as well as the new Zero. I prefer the original solution over the Zero because most of my clients receiving the treatment have a coarser hair texture. The Zero really is only suitable for finer hair textures. Keep in mind, ppl searching for these kinds of treatments typically have more unmanageable hair and thats why they are looking for a remedy.
Each client has a different goal in mind. Use whats best to give them that outcome.
PS: For those looking for permanent results...you'll love the condition of the hair After AVEDA's retexturizing system. I like it better than MIZANI :)

britwestt, 3-07-2011, 9:44AM

What?! NOW it's formaldehyde free. The literature said it was formaldehyde free back in July when I had the BBO. Two weeks after the process my hair started falling out in clumps and is still falling out today, 8 months later. I have lost 50% of my hair. Like I'm going to believe ANYTHING this company says!

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John & Pasquale, 3-07-2011, 9:52AM

look for wat they are not saying 100% free is what you need to look for . i just learned about frouk is comming out with evro a 100 % free form. free we all know the chi transformationet now a non deadly way to get straight hair same timming for the envo as braziln 24 hr i cant wait

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alisi, 3-07-2011, 10:28AM

I'm a hairstylist and we use a Brazillian blo-out product that has a very low amount of formalyhyde, however, when these services are being perfomed in the salon, my eyes burn, my throat hurts. You see the fumes in the air, it's horrible to think that we are all breathing this stuff in. I personally do not provide this service for my clients, and when it is being done close to me, I move to another station that is not so close. I'm considering moving to a salon that does not use them at all.

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napy, 4-04-2011, 5:17PM

I am a haistylist and my salon was using Brazilian Blowout for quite awhile. We stopped BB because it was making us all sick. We tried a few other so called formalehyde free products and they were also making us ill. My salon has 30 employees and each one us got sick. We have discontinued using any keratin type straightners. If anyone wants to know the truth about these products you can go to Health Canada. Canada banned not only BB but 10 other keratin type products for unsafe levels of formaldehyde in their formulas. BB has 12% formaldehyde!!!! (legal limit 0.02%, here in the US and Canada). You can check the products and quantities of formaldehyde on Health Canada's web site. Do not beleive anything these companies say. When we attended a class to be certified, 3 different people in the audience asked if there was any formaldehyde in their product and BB lied to us and said no. I will not work in an environmemt that causes cancer not only to me but my clients as well. Pregnant women, people with health problems and health conscious individuals, should stay clear of any place that uses these products because they do linger in the air for a few days.

caroline, 5-06-2011, 5:59PM

I had the BBO last fall and loved it until two months later I got a cyst above my eye that became infected and inflamed until removal. Then I found out about the bad early this year. The FDA doesn't do their job anymore apprently~! I had never had a cyst or any problem prior to this nor anyone in my family. I refuse to use the product again even though I have wished for something like it all my life. Until a company I trust comes out with something similar I won't be trying it again. Eitherway they lied about what was in their product so they cannot be trusted.

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