While Tasha prepares to jet to sunnier climes shortly to attend a destination wedding, Cassie and me get to stay on in good old Blighty and enjoy the delights of grey skies and rain. Is it just me or is February 2011 seem really long? It is only 28 days, but it feels like 100!

Anyway,  on the one sunny and mildly warm day so far this month, I took myself off to have a consultation for a Brazilian blowdry to find out what this new treatment is all about.

Beforehand I had researched on the internet what the treatment entailed, because I was interested to know whether it worked on Afro hair.  My hair is now about 80% natural with about 2-3 inches of relaxed hair at the front which I am growing out.

In speaking to the stylist, she informed me that the treatment would not straighten my natural hair completely – my wave pattern would still be there – but I would notice more longevity  in the treatment especially after the second or third application. Also I was informed that the treatment the salon used – Beox –  did contain formaldehyde (0.03%) which was not a harmful level. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen. Beox’s website states that Beox Professional is registered in the UK and has undergone health and safety assessments to ensure it meets UK and European Cosmetic Regulation.

The Brazilian Blow Dry Process

With that in mind, I decided to go ahead with the treatment.  My hair was washed with a clarifying shampoo to open the cuticles of the hair shaft, and then blowdried to dry off the excess water. The stylist coated my hair with Beox Chocolate which is the strongest version of the treatment as my hair is thick, in the same manner as a relaxer would be applied, coating all the strands. The Brazilian blow dry solution is the same texture as shampoo, and had a chocolate smell.  The fumes from the treatment however, caused my eyes to sting and water halfway through.  The stylist paused and turned me to face a fan to ease my discomfort. After application, the treatment was left for 15 minutes and then tonged through to seal in the treatment. The stylist had given me a towel to cover my face because of the fumes which given off by the steam are acrid, smell of burning plastic and irritate your eyes and nose.

After a cut,  my hair is tonged into shape and with a spritz of hair sheen I am good to go! My hair is softer and it doesn’t frizz especially in humid conditions. I can still see my natural hair wave pattern, but I don’t mind. My relaxed ends are just sitting there quietly straight as a bone – definitely a treatment that works first time on relaxed or dyed hair.

You are not meant to wash your hair for 24 hours after the treatment or tie it up but after the first night, my hair kinked the other way, so I went back to wrapping it and tying it with a scarf the following night without any ill effects.

Would I get a Brazilian blow dry again? I really don’t know. I guess I will be able to answer that question in about 4 months when the treatment wears off. So, should you get a Brazilian blow dry for your wedding day? I lay out the pros and cons below, but in the end it is a decision that only you can make.

Pros of the Brazilian Blow Dry

1. Lasts up to 4 months
2. No fizzy hair!
3. Smoother hair to the touch
4. Suitable for any chemically treated hair as well as natural. (If you need to dye or relax your hair, either do this a week before the treatment or 2 weeks after.)

Cons of the Brazilian Blow Dry

1. It is expensive!
2. It takes about 2-3 hours in the salon depending on the length of your hair, whether you are cutting your hair as well – so go when the salon is not busy (i.e. Saturday)!
3. You may experience irritation to your eyes and nose during the treatment.
4. To lengthen the effectiveness of the treatment, you will need to wash your hair with a sodium chloride/sulfate free shampoo and conditioner (so that crosses out going swimming in the sea!)
5. Possible significant hair loss.
6. You can’t tie your hair up or use styling products after the treatment at least till your first wash. (So if you want an updo for your wedding you will need to do this treatment in advance, though I wrapped my hair at night and moisturised my hair with Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer immediately when I got home from the salon, no probs.)
7. Not suitable for pregnant or breast feeding women.
8. Possible health risks due to the formaldehyde (see below video).