If your hair isn't naturally straight and you've always dreamed of it always looking like it's been styled with a blow dryer, you've probably researched or heard of Brazilian blowouts. So, what exactly is a Brazilian blowout?
Brazilian blowout can be described as a semi-permanent protein treatment that helps reduce frizz and smooth the hair cuticle for shinier, silkier hair. This process does not permanently alter the hair's texture and requires no downtime. The terms "Brazilian blowout" and "keratin treatment" are often used interchangeably, but there is an important difference: Brazilian blowout is actually a specific brand of liquid keratin treatment, which is often – incorrectly – used as an umbrella term for all keratin treatments. Therefore, a true Brazilian blowout can only be performed in a salon by a stylist specifically certified in this area. However, with proper precautions, you can achieve similar effects to a Brazilian blowout with a keratin treatment at home.
How to do a Brazilian blowout, and how to create a Brazilian blowout effect at home; keep reading to learn more.
What is Brazilian Blowout? How to Do a Brazilian Blowout at Home? - Part 1 - Hair Care and Beauty
What is a Brazilian blowout?
We've already explained what a Brazilian blowout is above. In other words, a Brazilian blowout is a branded salon treatment performed with its own proprietary product line that smooths the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and seal the cuticle.
How to do a Brazilian blowout.
Brazilian blowouts are performed by applying a liquid protein solution to the hair. This process coats the cuticles, adding a protective layer around your hair strands, making them appear fuller, smoother, and shinier. The effects of a Brazilian blowout typically last up to three months, depending on your hair type; there's no hair type that won't benefit from the treatment. Even if your hair is finer, more fragile, or has been chemically treated in any way, the power of the Brazilian blowout adapts to your hair, resulting in smoother hair. One advantage of this treatment is that you don't need to avoid washing your hair for days afterward. With proper care, the effect can last up to three months.
How to do a Brazilian blowout at home?
As mentioned above, Brazilian blowouts are actually a specialized brand of in-salon liquid keratin treatments, so you can't get a true Brazilian blowout without a certified stylist. However, it's possible to achieve a similar result with a keratin treatment at home. Before explaining how to do a blowout , let's talk about the materials.
We always recommend consulting a professional, especially for treatments involving harsh chemicals like formaldehyde (as in Brazilian blowouts). However, let's answer your questions about a keratin treatment you can use to achieve a similar effect. Here are the materials you'll need to do a Brazilian blowout at home.
Brazilian blow-dry supplies:
Colored brush and bowl
Wear protective gloves. (Our skin absorbs chemicals, and they enter our bloodstream. Therefore, try to keep the product as far away from your skin as possible.)
Clips for separating hair into sections.
A cape or towel for added protection.
Comb
A good hair dryer
Hair straightener with large titanium plates adjustable up to 450 degrees.
A small flat iron (or bobby pin, etc.) for detailing the hairline.
A barrier cream you can apply around your hairline (This can help prevent irritation along the edges of your face.)
Most importantly, a well-ventilated area.
Let's reiterate: Trying to do this at home is probably the biggest risk you can take. Because the product that allows you to do a Brazilian blowout at home contains harsh chemicals. Especially without proper ventilation, it can cause eye irritation. If possible, do this treatment outdoors for maximum airflow.
What is Brazilian Blowout? How to Do a Brazilian Blowout at Home? - Part 3 - Hair Care and Beauty
Choose the formula
Because the products used for the original Brazilian blowout treatment contain harsh chemicals and are sold for professional use only, you cannot buy them from any local beauty store. You may find such products online, but we strongly advise against purchasing them if they have a "professional use" label. Instead, you can opt for a formaldehyde-free formula, especially for at-home use. While the effects may not be as potent as a professional formula, it will reduce your risk of serious health complications from improper use. Ultimately, nothing is worth sacrificing your health for.
Perform a patch test.
We recommend performing a patch test at least 48 hours before applying anything to your scalp. A patch test is primarily to address any potential reactions to the treatment, whereas a hair strand test is done to measure the results on the hair itself. A patch test can tell you if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to perform the patch test and try applying it to the inside of your wrist in case of a reaction. If you experience any burning or irritation on your skin, consult your doctor immediately.
Wash your hair three times.
To begin, you'll need to wash your hair. And not just once, but three times. Brazilian blowouts at home work best on porous hair. Shampooing three times opens the cuticle, allowing the product to be absorbed.
Prepare the hair strands and the environment.
After washing your hair thoroughly, follow these three simple steps:
Gently dry your hair with a towel.
Divide your hair into four sections: two in the front (from behind your ears forward), and two in the back.
Take precautions: Put on your gloves, cover your shoulders with a towel or cape, and settle in a well-ventilated area. Wear a face mask if possible.
What is Brazilian Blowout? How to Do a Brazilian Blowout at Home? - Part 5 - Hair Care and Beauty
Apply the treatment from root to tip.
Now it's time to apply the treatment. Begin with the back sections. Use the pointed end of your colored brush, like a tail comb you use to braid small under-hair sections. Start by taking thin, crisscrossed strands from the top and, after coloring them with the solution as you would when dyeing your hair, gently spread them to the other side.
First, apply to the roots and work your way down to the ends. Then, take your comb and comb down the strands to distribute the remaining product throughout the hair. The ends don't require as much product as the roots.
At the end of the process, you need to bring your hair to a saturation point where it feels like it's wet again. The longer the product stays in your hair, the straighter your hair strands will become, but if left on for too long, no other problems will arise.
Throughout this process, remember the seriousness of the chemicals you are dealing with. If you experience any scalp irritation, intense dizziness, any feeling of warmth around the product application, or anything that resembles an allergic reaction, stop immediately and consult a doctor.
Dry the product with a hairdryer.
Once your hair is saturated with the product and the solution is evenly distributed, grab your hairdryer. This is the part that might cause dizziness, as the heat releases the potent chemicals in the product into the air. Please keep this in mind and be prepared to stop if necessary.
The treatment essentially involves depositing a layer of keratin onto your hair shaft. By combining this keratin with heat and blow-drying, the aim is to help the heat penetrate the hair's cortex. You can think of it almost like concrete filling the holes in your hair structure.
Straighten your hair.
Now that the hair is dry, it's time to set the treatment. Since heat is what changes the condition of the hair, you'll need to do this one more time. Before this process, if you have damaged or treated fine hair, heat your hair straightener to 400-425 degrees. For thicker hair, raise it to 450 degrees. The best types of straighteners for this process are a wide-plate straightener with titanium plates and a smaller, thinner-plate straightener for difficult sections.
While at-home Brazilian blowouts work well for all hair types, the results can be disastrous if your hair is over-processed or damaged, and you're not careful with the heat setting. Be sure to discuss this with your stylist.
What is Brazilian Blowout? How to Do a Brazilian Blowout at Home? - Part 7 - Hair Care and Beauty
Perform the final rinse.
After straightening, it's time for the final rinse. We know what you're thinking; why rinse now when your hair looks straight and smooth? Simply put, the solution is still in the hair strands.
When it comes to aftercare for a Brazilian blowout, one of the best ways to give your blowout the care it deserves is to use a sulfate-free shampoo. A sulfate-free shampoo is more beneficial for the longevity of a Brazilian blowout.
After rinsing your hair thoroughly, it's time for a deep conditioning treatment. Apply your rinse-off mask and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. A sulfate-free, protein-based, restructuring treatment is recommended due to the chemicals and high heat your hair is exposed to during a Brazilian blowout.
One last blow-dry.
This final blow-drying process doesn't have to be so meticulous anymore. You can even blow-dry your hair vigorously to see the results. If you prefer air drying, that's fine too. Your hair has already been through a lot. What you'll get after a Brazilian blowout is straight hair that looks shinier and healthier.
Things to know before getting a Brazilian blowout
We've already explained in detail above what you need to know before getting a Brazilian blowout. The most important point is that you should be aware of the many dangers and potential risks involved before attempting a Brazilian blowout at home. Do not make any effort to do this on your own without the approval, assistance, and detailed guidance of a certified professional, and if you do attempt it at home, make sure you use alternative formaldehyde-free keratin products.
What is Brazilian Blowout? How to Do a Brazilian Blowout at Home? - Part 9 - Hair Care and Beauty
Is Brazilian blow-drying harmful?
Does Brazilian blow-drying damage hair? During a Brazilian blow-dry, hair is exposed to many chemicals and high heat. Therefore, there are still differing opinions regarding the safety of the treatment for overall health. Some argue that the potential risks are eliminated if the treatment is performed under the right conditions, while others believe that all these procedures are harmful to the hair and, in particular, to overall health.
Therefore, in light of all this information, it is entirely up to you to make a decision by evaluating the potential risks.
How long does a Brazilian blowout last?
With proper care, the effects of a Brazilian blowout last approximately 3 months. Of course, this duration can vary between 3-6 months depending on your hair type and care habits. While the effect of the treatment lasts, styling your hair will be out of the question, and you'll have perfectly straight hair even after showering.
How often should a Brazilian blowout be done?
Most experts say that to enjoy the effects of a Brazilian blowout year-round, you should have it done at least once a year. However, since every hair type is unique, we recommend consulting your stylist for the right answer.
How to care for a Brazilian blowout after using a hairdryer.
To ensure the Brazilian blowout lasts, it's recommended to use a sulfate-free shampoo afterward. Keeping the hair moisturized is very important, so be sure to use the hair care products your stylist recommended.