Hair-smoothing Products Could Harm Your Health

Researchers have issued a health hazard warning over usage of hair smoothing and straightening products in hair salons. Chemical treatments may deliver smooth hair, but eventually show their ugly side through serious side effects, which include balding, scarring, and formaldehyde exposure.

At salons everywhere, women swear by the "Brazilian keratins" - treatments that deliver a drop-dead gorgeous "do," reports CBS news.

But some of the hair-smoothing products contain formaldehyde - a chemical the Environmental Protection Agency considers a carcinogen.

This week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recommended stylists stop using products with formaldehyde, which goes by a number of different names.

Regulators found the toxin even in some products labeled formaldehyde-free.

The Trio Salon in Chicago is now switching brands. OSHA's been in twice to measure formaldehyde levels in the store's air.

"Most of these treatments contain a small amount of formaldehyde, and it's important that OSHA finds it safe," said Trio Salon owner Alex Ioannou. It's the second warning this week to women about the price of so-called perfect hair.

Source-ANI