52/100

Personal Care

Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatments

Moderate burden — Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatments adds a moderate, reducible exposure.

Salon smoothing systems that release formaldehyde when heated.

The breakdown

Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)

Chemical hazard
7
Everyday exposure
3
Persistence
2

Evidence strength: strong · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.

What this means for you

A Detox Score of 52 places keratin hair smoothing treatments in the Moderate band. The chemical-hazard rating is what drives the score down. Occupational safety regulators issued hazard alerts after air testing found formaldehyde released during these treatments, including from products labelled formaldehyde-free. Salon workers carry the heaviest exposure because it is repeated daily.

Cleaner swap → Formaldehyde-free smoothing systems, or skip the treatment.
See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

Frequently asked questions

Is keratin hair smoothing treatments a toxic exposure?

Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatments has a Detox Score of 52 out of 100 (Moderate burden), which means it adds a moderate, reducible exposure. Occupational safety regulators issued hazard alerts after air testing found formaldehyde released during these treatments, including from products labelled formaldehyde-free. Salon workers carry the heaviest exposure because it is repeated daily.

What is a safer alternative to keratin hair smoothing treatments?

A lower-exposure swap for keratin hair smoothing treatments is: Formaldehyde-free smoothing systems, or skip the treatment. Occupational safety regulators issued hazard alerts after air testing found formaldehyde released during these treatments, including from products labelled formaldehyde-free. Salon workers carry the heaviest exposure because it is repeated daily.

Lower-exposure choices

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Fragrance-Free Basic SkincareMinimal · Personal Care

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