Progressive Brush – The Absolutely Complete Guide

Currently, the theme “progressive brush” generates many doubts, due to the wide variety of names that came up with practically the same purpose: straightening the wires.

Smart, chocolate, Moroccan, milk brush are some of the many variations. Precisely for this reason, it is common for questions to arise such as: what are the differences between them? What type of progressive brush to turn to?

Tatiana Rocha, hairdresser at Nilcéia Rocha Coiffeur, reinforces that there are several types of progressive brushes. “There’s also strawberry, chocolate, honey, Moroccan, milk, fruit and doubts about the real difference between them and how to choose the most appropriate one”, she highlights. Another recurring doubt concerns the use of formaldehyde in the progressive brush and the problems it can offer to health.

With all that in mind, below you can find important guidelines on how to choose the best brush option for your hair:

What is a progressive brush?

Sonia Nesi, hairstylist and owner of Sonia Nesi Beauty Studio, explains that the progressive acts as a chemical reaction that changes the structure of the wires, leaving them smoother.

Hairdresser Tatiana Rocha highlights that the progressive brush, in addition to making the hair smoother, helps to reduce the volume of the strands. “In addition, it offers longer-lasting practicality than other treatments with the same purpose,” she says.

According to Tatiana, the method lasts up to four months on the wires. “After that time, the hair has grown enough for the root volume to start bothering again”, explains the hairdresser.

It is worth mentioning that the technique was baptized with this name because the effect tends to improve with each application.

The use of formaldehyde in the progressive brush

The major concern around the subject of “progressive brushing” concerns the use of formaldehyde. Hairdresser Tatiana Rocha explains that this is the main chemical element of most progressives and that it is supervised by the Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

“In excess in formulas, it causes hair loss, intoxication, scalp burns and can even damage the person’s breathing. Therefore, caution is necessary to choose the best type of progressive for the hair”, highlights hairdresser Tatiana.

Sonia Nesi reinforces that formaldehyde is bad for the scalp, it’s bad for the skin, it can harm breathing… “The person’s hair can fall out or even worse things can happen. We have already seen several cases in the media of how bad it is for health”, she highlights.

Hairstylist Sonia points out, however, that there are already progressive brushes that do not use formaldehyde. “Thioglycolate and hydroxide, for example, do not contain formaldehyde. These are the ones I use and recommend to my clients,” she explains.

How to choose the best type of progressive brush?

As already mentioned, there are different types of progressive brush and there is not always a consensus on the real difference between each one of them – which makes it very difficult to choose the woman who wants to straighten her hair.

Regarding the use of formaldehyde, it is clear that today most progressive brushes no longer contain this component in their composition.

According to Tatiana Rocha, the best way to choose which brush is most suitable for your hair type is to talk to a professional who knows your hair.

Sonia Nesi highlights that it is important that women, before opting for a certain type of brush, learn about legal products for hair and do not fall into the conversation of “fake hairdressers”. “Then, she should talk to a good professional, who understands about straightening. The hair has to undergo a precise evaluation: see if it has coloring, bleaching… If you have already had another chemical treatment, you must inform the professional. All this is very important. Then, after this analysis, he will indicate the best one for you”, explains the hairstylist.

Progressive brush with formaldehyde x progressive brush without formaldehyde

But does the progressive brush without formaldehyde actually offer the same results offered by the progressive brush with formaldehyde?

In the opinion of professional Sonia Nesi, the progressive brush without formaldehyde has no disadvantage compared to the progressive brush that uses formaldehyde. “On the contrary, it is not bad for your health and moisturizes your hair,” she says.

Talita Novaes, 27, says that she has done both types of progressive brushes, with and without formaldehyde. “Just when the progressive brush started to be successful, I made one that had formaldehyde. My hair, which was already straight, however, was a little ‘rebellious’, dry, it was completely straight, ‘flat’ even, without volume and without frizz”, she says.

Talita says that the completely straight hair remained for more than four months. “However, I noticed after a while that the amount of hair I had decreased a lot, my hair was also more fragile due to the progressive brush with formaldehyde”, she reports.

Not long ago, Talita decided to make a progressive brush without formaldehyde. “My hair wasn’t completely flat, like the first time, but just use the dryer and it’s perfect, super smooth, with a natural look. I think it has gained more shine and is much more hydrated. In general, I even liked the results of this second brush, without formaldehyde”, she says.

Jessica Messias, 23 years old, also recently bet on the progressive brush without formaldehyde. “My hair is very wavy and has a lot of frizz. With the brush I feel that it has improved a lot. I wash my hair, just use the dryer and it is smooth, besides being very beautiful”, she reports.

Below you can find some considerations about the two types of progressive brush so you can make your own comparisons:

Progressive brush with formaldehyde

• Leaves hair looking smooth and natural;
• Lowers the volume of hair;
• In general, the hair does not even need the use of the dryer (to be smooth and beautiful after washing);
• Use of formaldehyde is very harmful to health;
• Formaldehyde promotes hair loss;
• Formaldehyde can promote scalp scaling;
• Formaldehyde damages the hair shaft internally.

Progressive brush without formaldehyde

• Leaves hair looking smooth and natural;
• Lowers the volume of hair;
• Moisturizes and gives shine to the hair;
• Some women report that, after washing, they only need to use the dryer so that it is completely smooth;
• As it does not contain formaldehyde, it is not harmful to health and does not cause allergies;
• Does not irritate the scalp;
• It does not cause hair loss.

Is progressive brushing at home safe?

Another question that many women have is: “can I do the progressive brush myself at home?”. This issue is further strengthened by the fact that it is possible to buy today, over the internet, several products for this purpose.

However, it is worth mentioning that doing the progressive brush at home without the guidance of a professional is not recommended. According to Sonia Nesi, the biggest risk is the chemistry causing all the hair to fall out. So here’s the tip: progressive brushing is a serious procedure, which must be done by a professional qualified for it!

Below are some products to make the progressive brush that are easily sold on the internet. However, it is worth mentioning that the best option is always to look for a good professional and do the procedure in a reliable beauty salon.

How to make the progressive brush last longer?

For the progressive effect to last longer, Sonia Nesi advises women to always use a good shampoo, conditioner and leave in. “For those who do hair chemistry, this is essential. Preferably use the products that the professional indicates. Because in the salon your hair looks wonderful, but at home it doesn’t always keep the same result. This is due to not using the appropriate cosmetics that the hairdresser has indicated. Using ‘weak’ products, the hair cuticle that was closed in the salon is opened”, explains the hairstylist.

Hairdresser Tatiana Rocha reinforces that it is important to avoid detox treatments or scalp exfoliations. “Avoid using anti-residue shampoo and avoid doing treatments that do not match the progressive one”, she highlights.

So, now write down the tips for your progressive last longer:

• Use a good shampoo, a conditioner and a leave in;
• Preferably the products that your hairdresser recommends;
• Do not do detox treatment or scalp scrubs;
• Avoid using anti-residue shampoo;
• Don’t do treatments that don’t match progressive (so always talk to a professional before making any decision).

Progressive brush contraindications

Another common question is: can all women do progressive brushing on the wires or are there contraindications? Tatiana Rocha highlights that pregnant women cannot do a progressive brush.

In addition to this condition, everything will depend on the woman’s hair, as explained by hairstylist Sonia Nesi. “If a woman’s hair is too destroyed, lacking nutrients, elastic and lacking strength, she certainly won’t be able to do the progressive. First she will have to do a reconstruction and bet on a lot of hydration”, she highlights.

As for side effects, Tatiana Rocha points out that if the progressive brush has formaldehyde, hair loss, respiratory problems and allergies can occur.

“However, if the toothbrush is legalized, as is the case with thioglycolate, there will be no negative effect”, concludes Sonia Nesi.

Now you know that, among so many options for progressive brushes, the best way is always to talk to a professional you trust, find out about the products he will use, choosing that alternative that, in addition to not containing formaldehyde, combines more with your hair type and can give you the results you want!