Cosmetologists Chicago® Offers Safety Guidelines for Brazilian-Style Straightening Systems
CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Even in these economically difficult times, women (and many men) with curly, unmanageable and often frizzy hair have turned to their hairstylist for a service that straightens the hair and leaves it healthy-looking, silky and manageable for up to four months. Unlike other straightening systems, this Brazilian-born treatment infuses keratin protein between the cuticle and the cortex of the hair shaft that is then sealed in with the use of a high-heat flat iron.
A by-product of this service is the escape of formaldehyde vapors into the air during the blow-drying and flat-iron process. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance detected in everything from fruits and vegetables to cosmetics and building materials.
Some available products claim to be free of formaldehyde; others maintain the formaldehyde levels in the products and the vapors released during the service easily meet OSHA's toughest safety standard. Yet salon exposures seem to be well within the zone where eye, nose and throat irritation become possible. This is best addressed and prevented by using proper ventilation that is adequate to prevent such irritations.
Cosmetologists Chicago, representing more than 7,000 salon professional members and owner of America's Beauty Show, the salon industry's pre-eminent annual event for more than 50,000, has been diligent in protecting professionals and consumers for more than 90 years. The association has issued guidelines for the safety of professionals and consumers interested in keratin-based straightening treatments.
"We believe it is vital to disclose client protection practices being observed in the salon that are proven to be safe for salon use," says CEO Paul Dykstra. "We urge salon teams to utilize proper ventilation and to incorporate safety procedures into their daily and weekly schedules, especially when it comes to chemical services."
Among Cosmetologists Chicago's salon safety procedures is a recommendation for advanced education, product knowledge and manufacturer certification. Products should be used and applied according to manufacturer's directions. Finally, salons should never provide chemical services to clients with seriously damaged hair or an unhealthy scalp.
Any service that uses professional salon products requires precautions, including proper ventilation, and all salons should ensure this type of basic protection for cosmetologists and consumers.
Visit www.AmericasBeautyShow.com for more information.
Media contacts: Kate Cicela & Vi Nelson |
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Vi Nelson & Associates, Inc. |
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P: 312-944-1262 |
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SOURCE Cosmetologists Chicago
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