Introduction
Women are very meticulous when it comes to the look of their hair. They will do anything to beautify their hair. Regardless of the type of hair that a woman has, she will always want to treat and straighten the hair to a manageable state. However, very few women take their time to analyze the ingredients of hair products. The bitter truth is that some hair care products have high chemical contents that are very harmful to the human body.
Products that leave the hair silky for several months may have adverse health effects on the users (Winfrey 12). Although various researchers have warned women and hairdressers of the dangers of using keratin products, their demand is still high, and producers and suppliers are employing all efforts to avail the products. In fact, manufacturers have taken advantage of ignorant consumers to make deceptive advertisements that depict the products as safe to use. This paper will give a stringent analysis of the hair care products, their contents, their side effects, and precautionary measures that the state ought to take.
The formaldehyde component
Formaldehyde is a colorless and volatile substance that is usually present in most keratin hair smoothening treatments. Under excessive heat, keratin treatments release formaldehyde gas that is quite dangerous to the human body when inhaled. As the hairdresser’s blow-dry or flatiron hair that is saturated with a keratin hair treatment, high formaldehyde concentrate fumes are produced. Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that can have long-term side effects on the human body. It can cause nasal cancer, leukemia, neurological, and immunological conditions. In fact, continuous exposure to formaldehyde can cause acute reproductive and developmental conditions (Weathersby and McMichael, 145).
How hair products work
Most women want their hair to be frizz-free for several months after visiting the salon. Therefore, most hairdressers use formulas rich is formalin, keratin, methylene glycol, and amino acids. They apply the formulas into the hair until it is saturated with the solution. They blow-dry and flat iron the hair, and thereafter, the hair can remain smooth for several months before regaining its natural texture. The heating facilitates the production of formaldehyde gas that bonds the hair with the conditioner. The entire process exposes customers to the risk of inhaling the formaldehyde gas that has negative effects on the body. The customers carry risky products in their hair for several months, and they inhale contaminated air for as long as the style lasts on their heads.
Side effects of the hair products
It is noteworthy that most people who are affected in one way or another are ignorant. The keratin treatments that ought to be formaldehyde-free unveil their effects almost immediately after use. Any time the product is exposed to heat, and irritating fume is produced. The fume is so strong such that people in the salon are likely to cough when they inhale the fumes. In a few minutes, the affected people’s eyes become watery, and the skin itches when the product dries on it. In some cases, some clients and salon workers experience some discomforts on their upper respiratory tracks (Stewart et al..104). The condition may become severe, and it may cause some nose bleeding, chest pain, wheezing, and breathing problems if the patient’s immune system is low. Most hairstylists ignore these immediate side effects, and the clients have learned to persevere.
Salon workers who attend to several customers in a day are prone to continuous exposure to formaldehyde fumes. It is worth noting that during summer, most salons use the indoor air conditioners. The indoor temperature is considerably cool, but most salons do not have exhaust ventilation. Therefore, the salon workers inhale contaminated air for the entire day. Likewise, the customers will inhale the contaminated air during their stay in the salon. Although some stylists are careful enough to use respirators while working, some are ignorant as they perform their daily duties without protecting themselves.
Customers who have frizz-freed hair may experience some skin, eye, and respiratory tract infection if they use keratin products repeatedly. Adverse incidences have occurred where the products make the users’ hair to fall out after some time. The visible negative effects are finite, but the hair products absorbed into the body through the hair fiber may have other infinite side effects on the human body.
The egocentric manufacturers and hair stylists
In the contemporary world, everyone struggles to earn profits in all ways and means. Official regulations have illegalized the use of formaldehyde containing products, but manufacturers have found yet another tactic. They will include the illegal formaldehyde substance into keratin hair treatments and omit it in the ingredient list. Further, manufacturers will invest heavily in marketing their product and assuring the targeted customers that the products are formaldehyde-free, and they are safe for use. In fact, research indicates that most hair treatments labeled “formaldehyde-free” contain high levels of formaldehyde than the required standard measures (Oregon OSHA 24).
The international agency for research forbids the use of products containing formaldehyde, but users are ignorant. Researches indicate that some hairdressers prefer treatments containing formaldehyde as they produce the best results in straightening the hair (Busby 43). They care less about the side effects of the formaldehyde fumes as long as they are able to meet the demands of the customers. The same thing applies to some customers who are ignorant of the short-term and long-term side effects. The entire issue is controversial, as the people who are directly affected are less concerned. Women take too long to realize the negative side effects, and advising the young generation is almost impossible. So far, a few salons are considerate of the negative effects of formaldehyde and some keratin treatments. Clive and Co. is an award-winning hair salon in Dallas that is very meticulous about hair treatments.
With a clear knowledge of the adverse effects of some keratin treatments and formaldehyde, Clive does not offer the keratin treatment services in his salon (Lamb). He minds about the health of his customers and their hair, and he cautions other hairdressers of their greediness to reap massive profits without minding about the healthiness of their customers and their hair. Probably, the government and the local states should take the rightful measures to ban illegal products into the markets before they cripple significant people in the country.
Precautionary measures
No one should compromise anything that harms human life in any way. The bureau of standards should take the initiative to make a thorough checkup of the contents of hair products sold in all retail outlets. The best measure would be taking products from the shelves randomly and measuring their chemical content in the laboratories. Any company found guilty of mislabeling its products to deceive customers should face unsympathetic charges. Any consumable products containing formaldehyde ought to be banned from the market immediately. The beauty products should be aerosolized, and if need be, they should have at most 0.2% formaldehyde.
The state and local authorities should be very strict on the exhaust ventilation or any other type of ventilation for all buildings. Any investor who intends to construct commercial buildings should meet the set standards, and ensure that rooms are ventilated in an exceptional manner.
Public education about the cancerous products ought to be availed in all media outlets and in all major women conferences across the nation. Women ought to be educated that their health is more important than their hair. Consumer and user information is crucial, and the information should be present in every hair product to warn consumers of the risks regarding the use of keratin treatments.
Conclusion
From the discussions, it is evident that some women are more concerned with their appearance than their health. In spite of the fact that they are cautioned about the hair treatment products, women with curly hair always desire to have it straightened through all ways and means. Women should learn to prioritize their health before personal beauty. The cosmetic product companies should also have the courtesy of taking responsibility for their actions. The companies should invest in research and discover other products that work like formaldehyde, but with little or no negative effect on the human body. For the time being, the government should work together with the bureau of standards to ensure that manufacturers produce safe products.
Works Cited
Busby, Aretha M. “Get It Straight.” Essence (Time Inc.) 44.11 (2014): 43. Print.
Lamb, Clive. Stylist Magazine: Keratin Treatments. 2012. Web.
Oregon OSHA 2010. Keratin-Based Hair Smoothing Products and the Presence of Formaldehyde. Web.
Stewart, Michelle, Trevor Bausman, Kazuklyo Kumagai, and Mark Nicas. “Case Study.” Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene 10.8 (2013): 104-110. Print.
Weathersby, Courtney, and Amy McMichael. “Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment: A Review.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 12.2 (2013): 144-148. Print.
Winfrey, Oprah. “The Straight Truth about Keratin and Other Hair Smoothing Treatments.” The Oprah Magazine. 2006: 11-14. Print.