What is Glyoxylic Acid hair treatment?

Glyoxylic acid, also known as oxoacetic acid, is an organic compound that belongs to the group of C2 carboxylic acids along with acetic acid, glycolic acid, and oxalic acid. It is a colorless solid that occurs naturally and has various industrial applications, including its use in hair products.

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In recent years, glyoxylic acid has become a more popular alternative to formaldehyde in keratin treatments. Formaldehyde is a health hazard and has been linked to cancer. It is also highly irritating to the skin, and its fumes are toxic to breathe, causing nose and eye irritation. Many countries have banned the use of formaldehyde in hair products, but some brands still use it and may manipulate the truth about its presence in their formulas.

Glyoxylic acid is a great substitute for formaldehyde in keratin treatments. It works by softening and restructuring the bonds in the hair, which makes the hair smoother. Heat is used during the treatment to further soften and shape the bonds in the hair. After the treatment, it is important to leave the hair unwashed for 24-72 hours to allow the new shape and bonds to set. However, over time, the new bonds can slowly revert to their original shape, and the effect of the treatment may vary depending on individual factors such as hair type and bond strength.

There is a small chance that glyoxylic acid can cause scalp irritation in some individuals, so a patch test is recommended before applying the treatment to a client's hair.

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Keratin treatment VS permanent Straightening!

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Compared to alkaline straightening treatments such as Japanese straightening or rebounding treatments, glyoxylic acid-based treatments are much safer. Alkaline straightening breaks the bonds in the hair completely before attempting to restructure them, which can be dangerous if a mistake is made during the process. This is almost impossible with glyoxylic acid-based treatments.

Acidic products like glyoxylic acid treatments can be healthier for the hair and scalp since their nature is acidic. The pH of the skin and scalp is 4.5-5.5, while the pH of glyoxylic acid treatments should be around 3-3.5 (depending on the brand). In contrast, the pH of hair straightening treatments is about 9.3. (Please note that the pH of hair removal cream is about 9.5.)

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