Is A Brazilian Blowout Worth It? Here’s What You Need To Know!

is a Brazilian blowout worth it

Whether you’re fond of styling or not, there’s a high chance that you’ve already heard about Brazilian blowouts at least once. This is a popular salon treatment, which earned a cult following because of its transformative benefits. It seems like the Holy Grail for many who are struggling with frizzy and dull hair. But the question is this: is a Brazilian blowout worth it? In this post, we will answer this question to help you decide.

What is a Brazilian blowout?

is a Brazilian blowout worth it

A Brazilian blowout is a popular salon treatment that uses a liquid keratin product. It bonds to the hair and serves as a protective layer on every strand. The result is minimal to no frizz while protecting the hair from external damage.

After applying the keratin product, the stylist will blow-dry and straighten the hair. Next, the hair will be rinsed properly then blow-dried for the second time.

The heat from the blow dryer will allow the product to activate and adhere to the hair shafts.

But why is it called ‘Brazilian blowout’? Well, this treatment originated from Brazil and first used organic ingredients like acai berry, annatto seed, and more. These herbs help reduce frizz while locking in moisture to your hair.

But as beauty brands produce commercially formulated hair treatments, Brazilian blowouts started to reach other countries.

Take note that a Brazilian blowout isn’t just a typical keratin treatment. Unlike most keratin treatments, you can style, tie, and rinse it like normal. There are no restrictions or special styling needs after the treatment has been finished.

The best thing about this treatment is you can have it customized based on your needs. You can choose how straight you want your hair to be. Make sure that you tell the stylist what you want with your Brazilian blowout, so they can adjust accordingly.

Is a Brazilian blowout worth it?

The answer to this depends on your hair type. If you already have smooth and straight hair, you won’t really enjoy many benefits from this treatment. But if you’re curious, the following are some of the benefits of Brazilian blowouts that make it worth the money:

Speeding up drying time

A Brazilian blowout can help speed up the drying time of your hair, which is one benefit those with straight hair will reap. This is a convenient perk, especially if you have thick hair that takes forever to dry fully.

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It works for all hair types

Whether you have curly, wavy, or straight hair, all types are equal in Brazilian blowouts. The best thing is you can control how curly or straight you want your hair to be.

Brazilian blowouts are versatile treatments. This makes it safe for damaged hair as long as it’s done properly. Also, Brazilian blowouts won’t change your curl pattern.

Boosts hair strength

Since Brazilian blowouts use keratin, it will help a lot in restoring the health of your hair. It smoothens the hair while acting as a layer of protection.

While it uses heat, the keratin will help eliminate frizz to make your hair more manageable. Over time, a Brazilian blowout will even protect your locks from heat damage.

Long-lasting effect

Unlike other keratin treatments, a Brazilian blowout can last for up to 12 weeks. You’ll enjoy frizz-free hair that you can wash and style right after leaving the salon. There’s no need to wait for days just to touch your hair.

Also, this treatment will make your hair super shiny. If you’re always too busy for styling, a Brazilian blowout will save the day.

Zero downtimes

As mentioned, Brazilian blowouts can be rinsed and styled right away. This is far from other treatments where you’ll have to wait for 3 to 5 days. Basically, you can go on with your life right after the treatment. You can go to the gym, take a bath, and put your hair in a ponytail. Trust me, you’re not going to ruin your Brazilian blowout.

Easily available

Every salon I’ve been to offers Brazilian blowout treatments. It’s very accessible to anyone who wants to enjoy manageable hair. However, not all salons are made equal, so you have to be very picky about where you’re going to get your hair done.

Below, I listed a few tips to help you find the best salon that offers Brazilian blowouts.

Potential risks of the Brazilian blowout treatment

As with any hair treatment, Brazilian blowouts have their own share of potential risks. The following are some of the possible hazards you should keep in mind:

Formaldehyde poisoning

Is A Brazilian Blowout Worth It? Here’s What You Need To Know! 1

One of the leading concerns about Brazilian blowouts is the risk of formaldehyde poisoning. The thing is that this risk isn’t directly high toward the salon clients. Studies and tests show that salon workers and stylists are at a higher risk of formaldehyde poisoning since they are the ones handling the product.

Aside from that, formaldehyde can linger in the air. While it off-gasses quickly, the lack of ventilation and air movement inside salons can make the process much slower.

This is why it’s very crucial to choose a keratin product without the hazardous formaldehyde chemical. The tricky part here is that some manufacturers use ‘synonyms’ to hide formaldehyde on their ingredients list. Some of the substitute names they use are ‘formalin’, ‘formic aldehyde’, ‘methylene glycol’, and ‘methanal’, among others.

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I suggest checking with the FDA and other governing agencies to know if the product is safe to use. Also, take time to read and research the ingredients you’re not familiar with.

Heat damage

Another thing you should keep in mind that Brazilian blowout treatments use high heat tools. This is especially true if you want to straighten a 4C type of hair. The higher the heat, the more damages your hair may get.

Aside from that, getting Brazilian blowouts too often will compound this potential risk. It’s very important to let your hair rest and recover from the treatment before you go for another.

How to make your Brazilian blowout last longer

If you’ve just gotten a Brazilian blowout treatment, there’s something you can do to make it last. Here are some hacks straight from stylists:

Avoid getting it wet.

While washing a Brazilian blowout-treated hair from time to time won’t ruin it right away, you should still avoid getting it wet too often. You can tuck your hair with a towel if you’re going to take a shower. This should make the treatment last longer.

Shampoo twice

If you’re going to wash your hair, shampooing twice is a good move. It may sound counterintuitive since it seems like it’s going to wash away the Brazilian blowout. But according to stylists, this isn’t the case.

Shampooing twice is important to remove dirt and pollution from your scalp and hair. After that, you should condition the ear-length hair to enjoy your Brazilian blowout much longer.

Dry shampoo comes in handy.

On days when you’re not going to wash your hair, dry shampoo is your bosom buddy. Dry shampoo will absorb root oil that will help extend the life of your blowout. Just make sure that the dry shampoo you’re using has a conditioning factor.

Aside from that, you should only use dry shampoo 2 to 3 times in a row. After that, you need to shampoo and wash your hair to prevent matting and stiffening.

Use rollers for volume

If you don’t want your Brazilian blowout to get weighed down over time, you can use rollers to maintain its volume. You can also put it in a ponytail while you sleep, so the wavy and voluminous look of your hair will last long.

Stop touching it!

Many of us are guilty about not keeping our hands off our hair after a treatment. Running your fingers through your hair or retouching it too often is a guaranteed way to ruin the blowout.

Don’t overdo serums

Serums and oils are excellent products to treat hair damage. However, you need to cut back on these if you want to extend the life of your Brazilian blowout. If you wish to use a serum for your blowout, choose a light formula, so it won’t make your hair too greasy or weighed down.

Stay away from saltwater or chlorinated water.

One of the challenges of maintaining a Brazilian blowout is when you’re planning to hit the beach or pool. The salinity of seawater can affect the blowout, which is the same as the pool’s chlorinated water.

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It’s important to rinse your hair right after soaking in salt water or the pool. This way, the salt, and chlorine won’t cling to your hair and undo the treatment.

How to find the right salon for Brazilian blowouts

If you’re looking for a salon to get a Brazilian blowout, make sure that you consider the following:

  • Expertise. Make sure that the salon has done Brazilian blowouts hundreds of times. This will give you peace of mind that they are experts in this treatment.
  • Per hair type. Another thing you should ask a salon is whether they have worked on your hair type before. This is very crucial for those with curly or 4C hair as not all salons are experts in handling such type.
  • Choice of product. Before you sign up for a treatment, inquire first about the keratin product they are going to use. Ask if they ensure that their products are formaldehyde-free.
  • Go local. I always choose local salons for hair treatments for one good reason: in case your hair gets damaged, you can easily reach them. This is better than going out of state, which can be a big hassle.
  • Price. The cost of Brazilian blowout treatments varies widely, depending on the location and reputation of the salon. I suggest that you compare prices to find the best value for money. Just avoid dirt-cheap treatments because the salon is likely using substandard products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do Brazilian blowouts last?

A: A Brazilian blowout will last for about three to five months. Some experience the benefits longer, depending on how well it’s maintained. Also, your choice of shampoo and the natural texture of your hair will impact how long Brazilian blowouts will last.

Q: Do Brazilian blowouts ruin your hair?

A: Brazilian blowouts don’t usually cause major hair problems. However, some people with extremely sensitive scalp and damaged hair may suffer from irritations. Make sure that the product used for the treatment doesn’t contain formaldehyde, a notorious substance that can cause cancer. Also, you should ask the stylist to match the heat setting on how damaged your hair is.

Q: Can Brazilian blowouts straighten hair?

A: Yes, Brazilian blowouts can straighten your hair. Just make sure that you mention it to the stylist, so they will know what to do. Also, expect that straightening will use higher heat, especially if you have thick and curly hair.

Q: Can you wash your hair with a Brazilian blowout?

A: Yes, you can wash your hair with a Brazilian blowout. However, some salons will advise you to wait for 24 to 48 hours, but most will let you wash your hair right after you walk out of the salon. To make your treatment last, you should wash with the right shampoo.

Q: Why is my hair greasy after a Brazilian blowout?

A: If your hair becomes too greasy after a Brazilian blowout, you might be using shampoo products reeking with sulfates. This substance can overwork your scalp, which will lead to excessive sebum production. A quick solution here is to swap your old shampoo to one with gentler ingredients.

Final words

Is a Brazilian blowout worth it? If you want healthier and better-looking hair, this treatment might be right for you. It’s suitable for any hair type as long as you find the right salon to trust. Above all, you should continue taking care of your hair to make the benefits last.

Have you tried a Brazilian blowout before? How’s your experience? Share your thoughts below!

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