Women, eternally dissatisfied with their nature, always wanting to change something, do not hold back when it comes to beauty.
Always aware of everything new in the beauty market, be it for any area of the body, they are looking for the best way to remain increasingly beautiful.
And if there’s one thing that transforms us, it’s hair.
That’s why hair is constantly subject to change.
Changes that often end the hair, leaving it dry and lifeless.
In addition to hair color, straightening locks is a desire of many women who would like to have more disciplined, volume-free strands.
It’s understandable, after all, there’s nothing better than getting up early, quickly combing your hair and heading out, as disciplined strands need less time to dedicate.
See Also: Smoother strands without chemicals: how to straighten your hair with homemade recipes
And, it was in this unbridled search for straight hair that the progressive brush emerged.
With the promise of keeping your hair straight for longer, without having to go through all that trouble of brushing and flat ironing your hair, hiding from the rain or a colder wind that shivers and ends with the perfect straightening that had been done.
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The progressive brush
Even providing the desired effect for many interested parties, the progressive brush has caused something to talk about.
This is because to straighten your hair with the so-called progressive brushit contains in its composition a substance called formaldehyde.
For those who don’t know, formaldehyde is used in different ways, such as to kill bacteria (disinfectants) and as a preservative (for dead bodies, for example).
And also used in the manufacture of mirrors, glass, paints and several other chemical products.
Due to its ability to keep hair straight, formaldehyde became part of the progressive brush.
However, its high toxicity and the harm it causes to the body has left progressive brushing under suspicion by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency).
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The problem occurred because Anvisa released only 0.2% of this product for straightening purposes, acting only as a preservative.
In other words, 0.2% formaldehyde does not have the ability to straighten hair.
If it straightens, it is because there is a greater concentration of the product.
However, many hairdressers break this rule, concentrating high concentrations of formaldehyde in their products that exceed 30%.
Ignoring its adverse effects on hair and body health.
See Also: Straightener step by step without damaging your hair
Excess formaldehyde
High concentrations of formaldehyde in the progressive brush, associated with the heat of the dryer, causes the formaldehyde to penetrate even further, causing damage to the hair cuticles…
…leaving the cortex (inner part of the hair) susceptible to drying out and the hair becomes less flexible and brittle.
This is because the purpose of formaldehyde is not to moisturize the hair, just to straighten it.
The shine and softness that is sometimes seen in the hair after a progressive brushing is because some hairdressers combine formaldehyde with other reconstructive and moisturizing products.
This forms a “cover” on the wires, but internally the wires are in a delicate situation.
With washing this “cover” is removed and the thread loses its shiny appearance.
In addition to damaging the hair when in excess, formaldehyde can attack the scalp, causing burns and hair loss.
Respiratory problems, skin irritation, sore throat are also just some of the problems caused by formaldehyde in the body.
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If you do the progressive brush…
Formaldehyde changes the structure of the hair.
But, if you still like the result (whether or not you know how much formaldehyde is present), frequent hydration with potent products is necessary to revitalize your hair.
Fragile and fine hair are the most harmed by progressive brushing.
Well, the wires, and especially the ends, can’t handle it, and they often need to be cut, because they completely burst.
Damaged, dry hair must be treated, as the progressive brushing will worsen the condition.
See Also: Goodbye Damaged Hair: Learn How to Make a Homemade Reconstruction With Egg Whites
However, there are other alternatives that replace formaldehyde when straightening hair and that do not cause harm to health.
It’s not because of the formaldehyde that you’ll stop dreaming of straight hair.
The market has other effective straightening substances, some more powerful, lasting longer and others more temporary.
See Also: Fades Hair: Powerful Homemade Straightening with Tapioca
In any case, remember that formaldehyde in high concentration for straightening hair was banned by Anvisa.
If you want to straighten your hair without formaldehyde, be wary of strong smells in the salon you visit.
Excess formaldehyde irritates the nostrils and throat once exposed, causing coughing and watery eyes in many cases.
