A Good Comment...

I want to share this comment I received today as well as my response.

Comment:
"Dear Lynn, it's great to know that there are some conscientious professional's in the hair care industry such as your self, willing to take the time, to avoid unseen dangers from carcinogenics in the products were often exposed to.
I also have a great deal of concern regarding manufacturers promoting their hair product's with out any significant and honest data to back their claims. Ultimately leaving the consumer, and operator as well as our environment at risk.

Still though, I can't help but wonder how someone, generally speaking... Of whom may be lacking that degree necessary in chemistry would be able to safeguard them self's from falling prey to using such alternative based product's known of making safe claims? Only to later find that NOW (a year later), a NEW study has deemed them dangerous as well?

There is allot that schepticism envolving how the FDA and other governing bodies regulate what is considered safe for human concumption, and that doesn't end here.
I believe that even being a chemist isn't always enogh to be able to distiguish what some chemicals are, or how they may react under certain conditions.
Take for instance that... There are chemical that when they combine with other factors, will morph into, or mimic particular chemicals that would inadvertently might at some point in time may be deemed unsafe, but since they cannot be categorized the same, they manage to slip under the radar, that is until eventually someone raises a red flag.

One of these so called alternative based chemicals know as Aldehyde [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldehyde[/url] may be just that, and is often found in many of the Keratin based thermal straightening systems.

So when is safe really safe?"



My response:
You raise an interesting question. I am not a chemist, that is true. I only have the information provided to me by the companies I choose to work with, which is one reason I am very selective about that process.

As a hairdresser who works with chemicals every day, I have made a choice to expose myself to certain risks. I inhale fumes from hair color, perms, this procedure and other types of relaxers on a regular basis. Anyone who colors their hair or pursues other chemical means of altering their appearance is making a similar choice. I think the best I can do is be as informed as I can. I have written a lot about my experience with the Keratin Smoothing product/procedure because I think it helps other people make their own choices. I will reiterate: I am not trying to push this product or this service. I only offer it.

In regards to the portion of your question about 'Aldehyde.' Again, I am not a chemist. I have been through many hours of training though. I have explored Keratin Smoothing by Coppola, Thermafuse Ammino Smoothing, Grund and Brazilian Blowout. What I have learned from these training classes in regards to the chemistry is that while the early smoothers used the Formaldehyde molecule as a carrier for depositing the smoothing treatment into the hair shaft, the smell was an issue. The safety concerns were similar to concerns in Nail Salons and not so much for the client. Ventilation was stressed (and again more for the repeat exposure of the operator.) After a lot of bad press about the formulas using Formaldehyde these companies switched out the carrier molecule. However they switched it to another 'Aldehyde' which is a "cousin," if you will, to Formaldehyde. Again - I am not a chemist. I only know what I've been told. My current salon is extremely well ventilated but, even still, products that have a heavy smell of any kind are unpleasant for the other clients as well as myself and my colleagues. The current formulations of the Smoothing Treatments do not have a strong smell. Once the smell was no longer an issue, I was willing to assume the operators risk of fume exposure. I was not willing to assume this risk when these treatments first came out because of the unpleasant formaldehyde smell. Once the smell was no longer an issue I was very interested because I knew there were many people who wanted this service. Again, I do not solicit this service, the clients that want it do their own research and seek it out. It's an added bonus that it’s fun to do because it can make such a dramatic impact on a clients appearance and in their lives! If people do have any concerns about the safety of this or other chemical services, I would suggest they check with their doctor before having them done.

When I perform this service I do a very meticulous job. I don’t cut any corners. I take my work ethic very seriously and it is my personal philosophy that this is what will bring me referrals and keep clients coming back. I do hair because I love to do it and it’s fun. So far as I can tell, this philosophy has served me well. I don’t know if people use the links much on the left side of the page, but you can see all the photos of the before-and-after of some models as well as feedback on their experiences. I hope that this helps people in making their decisions and that the information is useful.