What Every Professional Stylist & Salon Owner Should Know

As professional stylists and salon owners, you’re in the business of transformation — delivering hair that is sleek, smooth, frizz‑free and on‑trend. However, along with achieving those stunning results comes a vital responsibility: ensuring a safe environment for your clients and your team. One of the most pressing issues in the hair‑smoothing industry today is the presence of formaldehyde (or formaldehyde‑ releasing chemicals) in keratin smoothing and straightening treatments. 

In this article, we’ll break down the science, regulatory landscape (including Food and Drug Administration – FDA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration – OSHA guidance), how to evaluate product safety, and why offering a truly formaldehyde‑free smoothing alternative can both protect your business and set you apart in the market.

Why Formaldehyde in Smoothing Treatments Matters

Formaldehyde (and its related compounds such as methylene glycol) is a highly efficient agent for binding keratin to hair fibers, locking in straightness and shine. But that efficiency comes with trade‑offs. According to the FDA:

“When the [hair‑smoothing] solution is heated, the formaldehyde … is released into the air as a gas. … Formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.” (fda.gov)

Similarly, OSHA’s hazard alert for salons states that some hair‑smoothing products “may release formaldehyde at levels above OSHA’s permissible limits during use, and may be mislabeled.” (osha.gov)

The Key Professional Takeaways:

• • During application, blow‑drying and flat‑ironing phases, high heat can cause conversion of methylene glycol back to formaldehyde gas — meaning that even “formaldehyde‑free” claims may not guarantee safety.
    
    
  • Air tests by OSHA in 2011 showed salons where formaldehyde levels reached as high as 10 ppm during blow‑drying‑flat ironing phases — that’s about five times the OSHA short‑term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm for 15 minutes.
    
    
  • Short‑term exposure (even low levels) can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, skin sensitization; long‑term or repeated exposures *may* increase risk of certain cancers.
    

Regulatory & Industry Context

From a regulatory standpoint, here’s how the industry currently stands:

• • The FDA has issued consumer advisories warning that many hair‑smoothing products release formaldehyde when heated, and has sent warning letters to manufacturers mis‑branding such products as “formaldehyde‑free.”
    
    
  • The FDA is currently proposing a rule that would ban formaldehyde and formaldehyde‑releasing chemicals (e.g., methylene glycol) in hair smoothing/straightening products.
    
    
  • OSHA’s formaldehyde standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) applies when a product contains or releases formaldehyde in the workplace; salons using smoothing treatments should follow the standard if exposure is likely.

What this means for your salon: even though the product may be marketed as “professional use” or “keratin treatment,” if formaldehyde or a releaser is present, you must treat it as a formaldehyde hazard — monitor air concentrations, ensure ventilation, provide PPE, and follow hazard communication rules.

Practical Risk Management for Salons

To protect both your team and your clients, here are practical steps to implement:

1. 1. Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet): For any smoothing treatment you use.
      
      
   2. Inspect labels carefully: Any product that heats, seals, or flat‑irons may have hidden formaldehyde or its precursors.
      
      
   3. Ensure salon ventilation is adequate: Local exhaust or increased general airflow helps reduce inhalation hazard during application and heat phase.
      
      
   4. Use protective gear: For stylists (and consider protective measures for clients): gloves, possibly an N95 respirator when formaldehyde exposure is suspected, eye protection or barrier creams if needed.
      
      
   5. Offer alternative formaldehyde‑free smoothing treatments.
      
      
   6. Educate your team and clients: transparency builds trust.
      

Why Your Salon Should Offer Formaldehyde‑free Smoothing Treatments

Offering a formaldehyde‑free smoothing system isn’t just about safety — it’s also a strategic business move:

• • Clients are increasingly aware of wellness, clean‑beauty, and low‑toxicity trends.
    
  • It protects your team’s long‑term health, reduces liability, and supports staff retention.
    
  • It future‑proofs your service with the FDA’s proposed ban on formaldehyde/releasers.
    
  • It improves salon atmosphere: fewer irritating fumes = more comfort for clients and stylists.
    

Choosing a Premium Formaldehyde‑free Smoothing System

When selecting your formaldehyde‑free smoothing service line, look for:

• • Independent lab testing confirming no measurable formaldehyde release
  • Lower‑heat protocols designed for minimal chemical release
  • A solid professional training Program from the brand to ensure safe and proper use
  • Clear ingredient transparency (no formaldehyde, methylene glycol, or hidden releasers)
  • Proven longevity of results
    

One option to consider is Peter Coppola’s A‑Keratin Smoothing Treatment. This professional‑grade system is marketed as a formaldehyde‑free keratin smoothing service and aligns with the safe‑choice mindset many salons are adopting.

Ready to Make the Switch to Safer Smoothing?  

Sign up for a professional account and access Peter Coppola’s formaldehyde‑free a‑Keratin Smoothing Treatment Here

Explore the full collection of aftercare and treatment options Here