Straight Answers About Keratin Treatments

Washington's wilting humidity is about to descend on the area and that means our hair is about to develop a mind of it's own. Those with especially wavy or frizzy hair feel the pain year round. And that's one of the reasons the Brazillian keratin treatment, also known as the "Brazillian Blowout" has gained such a faithful and satisfied following. The treatment makes unmanageable hair behave by straightening and smoothing the strands for up to 4 months.

Some recent news reports have questioned the safety of keratin treatments because some of the hair-smoothing products contain formaldehyde - a chemical the Environmental Protection Agency considers a carcinogen. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recommended stylists stop using products with formaldehyde, which goes by a number of different names. Because so many women love the treatments and don't want to have to give them up, BeautyInDC.com sought out an area expert who could provide some straight answers on what we need to know about the safety of Keratin.

Jacqui Rodriguez Davis is the the owner of PR Partners www.pratpartners.com at metro center and the energy source for the salon. Jacqui has been in the hair and beauty industry for over twenty years. She is the lead developer of Fresh Look ( a makeover package) as well as one of the creators of Pretty makeup. She has been Nominated five consecutive times by Washingtonian magazine for best in color and for best stylist by City Paper. Her services have long been sought out by Washington women with high expectations. When she is not "behind the chair" you can find her doing fashion shows, photo shoots and most recently on episodes of Ambush Makeovers.

When I asked her whether we should be alarmed or worried about these recent reports Jacqui addressed those concerns and told us what to specifically look for when seeking out keratin treatments:

"The controversy over the keratin treatments you've been hearing so much about in the media is about a specific brand not a specific treatment. As a salon owner, it is imperative that any services rendered are safe for both clients as well as staff. We did a lot of research and testing before we brought in a keratin treatment that was both safe and effective. At PR Partners we use the Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment www.brazilliankeratin.com. Our stylists must attend a seven hour class before they can test out and be certified to do these treatments.

Formaldehyde is a natural occurring substance found in everything from produce to cosmetics. The controversy is not the formaldehyde found in the products but the formaldehyde exhaust that occurs when heat is applied during the service. OSHA has set safety guidelines for this and Marcia falls well below these limits.

Treatments without formaldehyde do straighten and smooth but not to the extent that the others do. Also, the effects are not as long lasting.

I believe that the products in question are to date available in the U.S. but have been banned in Europe. Clients interested in having a keratin treatment should research and ask their salon for an MSDS sheet which lists all the ingredients and their levels. Being informed is the best way to achieve beautiful, silky and healthy hair."

PR at Partners
Metro Center
1001 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-737-0909

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Brazilian Keratin Means No More Frizz!

Nobody likes the frizzies! Between the humidity of Washington summers and the wet snow we're getting plenty of this winter a bottle of smoothing or anti-frizz lotion may not be enough. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment which has only been around for about 3 years is highly endorsed by women who have been waging the frizz battle and I saw a real difference in a friend's hair who gets it done about every 3 months. It's very different from traditional relaxing and straightening treatments I discovered after checking in with local stylist Chanel Mizani of LifeSpa & Salon http://lifetimefitness.mylt.com/community/lifespa-and-salon/ in Rockville, MD.

Q: Can you tell us about your training as a hair stylist? A: I was one of the founding students at Paul Mitchell the School in Tysons Corner VA, where they focused on trendy cuts, vivid colors, and runway style. We were privileged enough to be trained by famous platform artists such as Brennan Claybaugh, Donald Scott, and George Morales. We were trained in all hair types, textures, and conditions and were taught specialty services like keratin fusion extensions and lock extensions. I've worked in 5 previous salons before joining LifeSpa's team and over the past 4 years have taken continuing education classes in Wella/Magma coloring formulations and application techniques, Redken color and application, Gahram Webb cutting, Bumble and Bumble product knowledge, Sebastian products, Kerastase products, Cibu products, Paul Mitchell branding, and have done numerous fashion shows and wedding parties. I was trained and certified in Brazilian Keratin Treatment through Marcia Teixeira, the original developers of this revolutionary technology. Q: We're hearing a lot about the Brazilian Keratin hair treatment what exactly is it? A: It was introduced to the United States in 2006 by Marcia Teixeira who developed the product as a solution to her hair challenges. Relaxers were always too damaging and harsh on her hair, and for years she was seeking a safe alternative. She was inspired by hair treatments she discovered while traveling in Brazil. The concept behind this procedure is that unlike chemical straighteners and relaxers, this process doesn’t involve breaking down the hair and restructuring it. Because the product shares the same pH as the hair itself, it does not compromise the hair's integrity, nor does it swell the hair shaft making it weaken its strength and elasticity. By choosing Brazilian Keratin over a relaxing/straightening procedure, you are are not at risk of breaking or damaging your hair (if applied by a properly trained and certified technician). Q: Who is a good candidate for it--do things like previous straightening treatments or color treated hair make a difference? A: Anyone can have this treatment done! It is a universal product and can be used safely on any hair type, including hair that is dry, over-processed, ethnic, color treated, or frizzy. No previous hair conditions will effect your eligibility to use this treatment for your hair needs, whether you're looking to loosening your curl, smooth frizz, or repair damaged hair texture. Q: How does someone care for their hair after receiving the treatment to get the optimal results? A: There are several Do's and Don'ts recommended by Marcia Teixeira to maintain long lasting results. I suppose for most people, the most difficult of these care instructions is that you cannot wash or bend the hair for 4 days after the application. This may seem unpleasant, but is an imperative step in the success of the treatment. With that being said, any other recommended procedures may seem quite easeful, such as using sulfate free shampoo and conditioner to prevent break down of the keratin. Q: How long do the results last? A: As with anything else, every one's hair takes the treatment differently. In most cases, if maintained properly, the treatment should last around 3 months. Once the treatment begins to wear off, the hair will revert back to it's natural wave pattern. I've had clients that have very unmanageable hair and use the treatment to make their hair easy to style on a daily basis. Initially they thought they wouldn't repeat the service after the product wears off, but soon after their texture returns, they realize they can't wait to get it done again! Q: Are your clients happy with the treatment? Do you think it's better or more effective than other straightening or relaxing treatments? A: It wouldn't be a fair assessment to compare the Brazilian Keratin Treatment to a relaxer or other straightening systems.. Unlike a relaxer, the Brazilian does not use any chemicals to change the hair's structure. It works like a deep conditioning treatment would, where you infuse proteins, keratin, and moisturizers into the hair which causes it to eliminate frizz and smooth the hair out. Because this process doesn't change the hair composition, the hair is only effected by the product remaining on the cuticle. Relaxers and straighteners, aside from damaging and breaking the hair, also leave and indication of new growth (so if you start getting relaxers, you must continue with touch-ups so your hair doesn't grow out with different textures). The keratin treatment eventually wears off and returns your hair back to its original state without any indication of regrowth. If you chose to use the keratin treatment to repair over processed or damaged hair (verses as a smoothing solution) the hair will continue to maintain a rejuvenated feel and texture even after the treatment has worn off. The results I have seen are unbelievable. I personally am very impressed with the success of each treatment. Our clients can't tell us enough how excited they are to not have to worry about styling their unruly hair as they did in the past. I can't wait to have it done myself! Q: What does it cost? A: This treatment must be done very thoroughly and can be a lengthy process. Because of all of the work and time, the cost respectively ranges between $350-$600 in the DC area. To have the service done at LifeSpa will cost our clients $400. The client may also spend up to $50 dollars purchasing products to maintain the effects of the treatment. Although, this may seem like a steep investment, it can be compared to the costs associated with getting relaxers on a regular basis to control regrowth. Life Spa & Salon 1151 Seven Locks Road Rockville, Maryland 20854 Ph. 240-599-2924 www.BeautyInDC.com your local resource for specials on beauty services as well as the latest information on beauty, health and fitness with a local twist.