How far are you willing to go for silky smooth strands? If you’re opting to uncurl using the Brazilian Blowout or a similar product, listen up: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently received a number of complaints from salon owners and customers about these products. The hair straighteners are under investigation for whether their products are causing health problems, according to a notice on FDA.gov.

The suspect ingredient in these blowout products is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde exposure can trigger eye, skin, nose and upper respiratory tract irritation in addition to coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and wheezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But the Brazilian Blowout company claimed that its hair-straightening products are non-damaging, contain no harsh chemicals and are formaldehyde-free.

Still, after fielding salon reports of eye irritation, breathing problems and headaches, some state agencies notified the FDA.

Now the FDA is working with the local state agencies and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to investigate these products’ safety in response to lab test results.

One analysis of two products, Brazilian Blowout Solution and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, conducted by the Oregon Health and Science University’s Center for Research on Occupational Environmental Toxicology (OHSU) found they contained formaldehyde in amounts well above the limits considered safe, according to LemonDrop.com, an online lifestyle website.

While the FDA doesn’t regulate salons, it does work with OSHA to ensure that beauty professionals are not put at risk in their work environments.

When it got this bad hair day news, the Brazilian Blowout company posted numerous statements on its website refuting OHSU’s lab test results.

In the meantime, if you’ve had a problem after using a blowout product, then log on to FDA.gov to register your complaint.

No doubt about it, consumers question the whether straighteners and relaxers are hazardous to their health. To learn more about the way these chemical products work on hair, click here.