Everything You Need to Know About a Brazilian Blowout (Including Before & After Pics)

From relaxers to perms, there are many different hair treatments out there that it's tough to find the right one for you. One of the most popular options is the Brazilian blowout, a semi-permanent smoothing treatment that minimizes frizz and adds shine for three months. Enticing, right? Before you lock in your salon appointment, I chatted with PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint about her own experience getting the treatment and consulted with a board-certified dermatologist about the safety of the buzzy blowout.

Dr. Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist based in California and founder of Ava MD. She specializes in body contouring, injectables, lasers, medical dermatology (like hair loss treatments) and microneedling. She's currently a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the American Academy of Dermatology.

A Brazilian blowout is a specific brand of keratin treatment that originated in Brazil. The semi-permanent technique uses a special liquid formula to smooth out your hair, thereby minimizing frizz, improving volume and adding shine to strands.

For Quint, she decided to do the treatment after seeing a friend’s impressive results. “My friend went from frizzy and puffy to perfectly sleek…without ever having to dry her hair. After discussing my frizzy woes with my stylist, we decided a Brazilian blowout would be a great way to get me through the humid summer months,” she shared.  

How Is a Brazilian Blowout Different from Other Keratin Treatments? 

Though all keratin treatments offer pretty much the same results (i.e, smoother hair and less frizz), you’ll get more flexibility with a Brazilian blowout. For starters, you won’t have to wait as long to wash your hair (just two to three days, as compared to the four to seven required of other treatments) and you can rock any hairstyle you like without causing dents in your newly smoothed ‘do.

Here’s another bonus: It’s a smoothing treatment, not a straightening one like many of the others. So if you like to rock curls or waves but just want to reduce frizz, this is the treatment for you. It’s not going to change your hair texture, but it will provide the shine, volume and frizz-free finish you want.

A Brazilian blowout is great for all hair types, especially those who experience excessive frizziness or dullness. “The main selling point for me is that it reduces frizz and puffiness, giving me the look of a professional blowout even if I air dry,” says Quint. It’s also beneficial for people with dyed hair because it can boost the vibrancy of your color and prevent premature fading. However, if you have thin, damaged or over-processed locks, you’ll want to consult with a stylist first, as the service can do more harm than good on already weak strands. 

Is the Brazilian Blowout Safe? 

"Brazilian blowouts contain toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, which is a necessary component of Brazilian blowout treatments," explains Dr. Shamban. "Formaldehyde itself doesn’t damage the hair shaft. However, the solution containing formaldehyde may irritate the scalp and long-term exposure to any formaldehyde gas given off during the heating process can be a health hazard."

OK, now let's address the elephant in the room: formaldehyde. According to the International Journey of Trichology, Brazil was one of the first countries to start using formaldehyde in hair treatments when they introduced the blowout in the early 2000s. Since then, the chemical has been linked to cancer and long-term side effects like skin irritation, heavy breathing and headaches.

More studies are still being conducted to identify the potential health issues caused by formaldehyde. In one 2016 study, seven patients experienced eczema-like symptoms after getting a Brazilian blowout. Others found the treatment increased brittleness, dryness and hair loss based on the amount of heat styling. "Depending on the tools and techniques used when attempting a Brazilian blowout, as well as your stylist's skills and familiarity with the necessary steps, attempting to perform the heat treatment could cause hair damage, scalp irritation and chemical exposure," adds Dr. Shamban.

If you are pregnant or you're planning to get pregnant or breastfeed, hold off on getting a Brazilian blowout. As one 2013 study conducted in Brazil found, formaldehyde and other chemicals used in the treatment make these groups more vulnerable to health issues.

These six steps are crucial to getting a smoother look, which I'll walk you through below.

1. Use shampoo to cleanse your hair and scalp from any existing products. This first step helps clear and prep your hair for the treatment.
2. Apply the formula from roots to ends. According to Quint, her stylist applied the keratin solution section by section. Then, comb it through damp hair to make sure all the product is evenly distributed. She adds, “The only downside is that you’re very aware of the chemicals—it smells and can burn your scalp or eyes if you’re sensitive.” 
3. Use a blow dryer to activate chemicals. Heat will activate the formula and form a seal around your strands. The stylist will blow dry each section for a few minutes to give the formula time to bond and form that protective layer around your hair. 
4. Grab a flat iron to seal the treatment in even more. At 380 to 450 degrees (depending on your hair type), they will begin to straighten each section. However, if you prefer to keep your curl pattern, you can ask to skip this step entirely.
5. Rinse out your hair. Your stylist will use a sulfate-free shampoo and a deep conditioner (that will sit in your hair for about ten minutes) to make sure the treatment is completely washed out.
6. Finally, blow dry your hair again. Once your protective styling products are applied (aka leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, etc.), your hair will be dried one last time, so you can leave the salon with a voluminous, frizz-free look. FYI: There’s also the option to go the air-dry route (or opt for a diffuser) to maintain your curl pattern. 

How Long Does a Brazilian Blowout Take?

From start to finish, the Brazilian blowout typically takes about an hour and a half (or up to three hours, depending on your hair length and/or thickness).