Do you have frizzy and damaged hair? If so, you must try the Brazilian blowout.
This high-performance, semi-permanent treatment will change every facet of your hair care. Read on to learn all about it.
What Is a Brazilian Blowout?
Brazilian blowout is a popular hair smoothing treatment. The liquid keratin formula fills in the empty spaces in hair strands to create a protective layer, which eliminates frizz, makes your hair shiny and soft to the touch, and protects it against external damage.
It’s effective and safe for most hair types, but those with textured hair may have to be more mindful of the treatment. Uneven heat application on textured hair may lead to breakage and, at worst, significant hair damage.
As always, consult a professional to learn about the best options for your hair type.
How to Do a Brazilian Blowout
Are you a DIY-er? Use this step-by-step guide to get gorgeous locks without stepping foot inside a salon:
- Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to cut through stubborn dirt, dust, and product buildup.
- Use a clean towel to remove excess water from your hair.
- Divide your hair into four sections.
- Apply the Brazilian blowout treatment to each section. Keep the treatment away from your scalp. If you’ve oversaturated your hair, use a fine comb to remove excess product.
- Leave the treatment on for 45 minutes.
- Blow dry your hair and use a brush to keep your hair as straight as possible. Hold the blow dryer less than 2 inches away from your strands to minimize steam.
- Seal in the keratin with a flat iron until your hair is completely straight. Don’t overdo the ironing, as it can cause heat damage.
- Rinse the treatment out with warm water.
- Apply a nourishing deep conditioning mask to repair the damage caused by the heat-based tools, then rinse it off with cool water.
- Air dry your hair to reduce frizz, and style your locks as you please.
When Can You Wash Your Hair After a Brazilian Blowout?
Brazilian blowout takes your hair to the next level with its smoothness and straightness. This is why some are wary of washing off the treatment, thinking that doing so puts its many benefits down the drain.
This, my friends, is a misconception.
The liquid keratin is absorbed immediately into the strands during a Brazilian blowout treatment. So, you don’t need to change your regular wash routine, unlike keratin treatments - whose success depends on you not washing your hair for three days post-treatment.
What Happens if You Don’t Rinse Out a Brazilian Blowout?
Brazilian blowout experts recommend rinsing the treatment out to eliminate excess proteins. However, some believe that keeping the formula on for longer can lead to smoother, straighter hair.
Is there any truth in this? There’s no doubt that if you leave the treatment on, your hair will continue absorbing protein. So, not rinsing out the Brazilian blowout seems like a good idea on the surface.
But while leaving the treatment on may not seem like a big deal, it can be one. Brazilian blowout treatment formulas contain formaldehyde, which is a cancer-causing agent. Some treatments also contain other chemicals that will negatively affect your hair and cause allergic reactions.
Hence, it would be best to err on the side of caution and follow the manufacturer’s directions printed on the package to avoid hair and scalp damage. Rinse the treatment off as indicated, and not later.
Dos and Don’ts of Brazilian Blowouts
Want to extend the duration of your Brazilian Blowout treatment’s effects? Follow these dos and don’ts:
Dos
- Get your Brazilian blowout done in a salon for a safe and effective procedure
- Sleep with a silk pillowcase, bonnets and scarves work as well
- Use dry shampoo to stretch out your wash days and make the treatment last
- Use rollers to make your hair voluminous
- Wash off the treatment immediately if you experience an adverse reaction
Don’ts
- Apply the treatment in a poorly ventilated room
- Color, bleach, or relax your hair for a minimum of two weeks pre- and post-treatment to avoid further damage
- Go swimming or go to the gym for a heavy workout - keep your hair dry for as long as possible
- Use hair products that contain sulfates, chlorine, and parabens—they strip healthy proteins in your hair
- Use heat tools like flat irons and hair dryers for the three weeks after the treatment, as they can melt away the keratin in your hair.
- Use heavy oils and creams, which will weigh down your hair and make it look greasy
The Takeaway
As you can now tell, not rinsing out a Brazilian blowout is no biggie. But, if you want to keep your health in its prime, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions on the package down to a T. It will give you the locks of your dreams while helping you prevent a potential Brazilian blowout disaster.
