I have been wanting to write an article for quite sometime educating my readers and clients on the differences between the Brazilian Blowout and Simply Smooth Keratin Treatment. Because of the Good Morning America story that was done October 1, 2010, I feel it is urgent that I write this article. Simply Smooth Keratin Original formula is absolutely 100 % Formalin free, which is where the bad vapors come from. Simply Smooth uses Vanillin extracted from the Vanilla plant, as it is a food grade preservative, it is a donor of formaldehyde, however there are many safe forms of formaldehyde that we come in contact with on a regular basis. Vanillin is in Hershey's Chocolate and many other things we eat every day.
Simply Smooth is an amazing alternative to the Brazilian Blowout. Simply Smooth uses hydrolyzed HUMAN HAIR KERATIN, where as I know Keratin Complex uses Sheep Hair Keratin, this was told to me at my training class for that company. Human Hair Keratin is a much higher quality, because the chemistry of our hair matches exactly. The 4 different forms of Keratin, are Grade A. Human hair, Grade B. Botanical Keratin, from plants, Grade C. Synthetic Keratin, or man made, and Grade D. Animal Keratin, from the hair and hooves of animals. I wanted to find a smoothing, de frizzing system that was safe for myself as the stylist as well as safe for my clients. Simply Smooth, is one of the ONLY Keratin companies who have NOT been kicked out of Canada, which has the strictest quality control. Brazilian Blowout does contain high levels of formaldehyde and according to the government testing lab, it is a high percentage, between 8%-10%! OSHA Recommended Air Quality Levels is maximum 0.75 ppm, Simply Smooth Original and Xpress formula fall below this amount when the heat is put to their less than 0.20% in the liquid form. Every batch of our Keratin is tested and certified with Intertek quality and safety partner.
The original formula of Simply Smooth requires a three day waiting period, but is well worth the wait. The longer you allow the product to cure on the hair before washing, the longer it lasts. They only promise the treatment will last up to 12 weeks, then the client should have that process done again, where as Simply Smooths treatment lasts anywhere from 16 weeks, to 10 months!!!! I say that because my first treatment was with the original formula and it lasted 10 months, my blog is here on this site for you to check out for yourself. I have spoken to others who said it lasted 8 months in their hair.
Simply Smooth did come out with a product that is a little stronger for the really resistant hair clients, that also is allowed to be washed after only 24 hours. Xpress uses less than 0.20 % Formalin as it's preservative and it seems to be just enough power to tame the most course hair. This again falls below the OSHA recommended levels. 0.20% is very minimal when 75 % of the formula is human hair Keratin, and 25% is Collagen.
Simply Smooth also came out with a great product called Color Lock, which again has less than 0.20% vanillin, (a donor) it can be done separately as a Mini Keratin Treatment for only a fraction of the cost, it allows the client to wash after only 24 hours, and it lasts 30 to 45 days.....or more if your hair is like mine :-) It can also be done immediately following a color or highlighting service, to LOCK in the color and resist fading.
Keratin Complex is another BKT out on the market, that some have been claiming is Formaldehyde Free, but it is NOT, it too contains Aldehyde, in fact it tested at 2.0%, which is above the .75 that OSHA recommends. I was not aware of all these statistics at the time and had one done on my hair to test the product myself. I experienced a little burning in my eyes when blow drying, and I was told in the class that it contained Aldehyde, which I was okay with because at the time I needed a product that was strong enough to help my resistant, course, haired clients. HOWEVER, this treatment only lasted 30 days in my hair and then my perm was starting to show up again :-( Major disappointment. Also Simply Smooth Keratin Artists have been told by Ex Keratin Complex clients that their hair was breaking with the second and third treatments. This is because the higher levels of Aldehyde makes the hair brittle, just like with the Brazilian Blowout clients who claim their hair has broken, it is due to the high levels of formaldehyde in their product. To prevent this all together, Simply Smooth recommends if you get the Xpress treatment with the very low amount of aldehyde, that you alternate with the Original Formula, every other treatment.
One other difference is the Brazilian Blowout company reported to Good Morning America that they do not recommend this treatment for clients with high amounts of damage, or African American clients, Simply Smooth actually ENCOURAGES African Americans and extremely damaged hair clients to have this treatment done, because it heals and repairs the hair, leaving it silky soft and super smooth! If you live in the Hershey, Lebanon, Lancaster, or Manheim Pa area, please call 717 664-0808 if you want to know more about the Simply Smooth Treatment, if you live elsewhere in the world, PLEASE do your homework before getting a Brazilian Keratin Treatment done, check reviews and google the pros and cons of each one.