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    The "Other" Brazilian

    Go ahead strangers: Rub, touch and smell her hair; she'll do just about anythingto get rid of the frizzies

    Heather Staible
    Jul 4, 2010 | 6:19 pm
    • A model (not Heather Stabile) with frizzy hair
    • After treatment: No frizz
    • In other photos, all provided by BKT manufacturer, a model is show with wavyhair
    • After
    • After
    • Before
    • Step 2
    • After
    • Before
    • After

    Some little girls dream of being a supermodel. The clothes, the glamour, the impossibly long legs .... who could resist?

    Me? I briefly entertained the idea of being a Las Vegas showgirl after seeing an episode of the Phil Donahue show years ago. There was a 5-foot-10 height requirement and I easily met that as a teenager. But I like carbs and have two kids, so my dreams of dancing in a headdress Cher and Lady Gaga would fight over have long since slipped away.

    So I was elated recently when asked to be a model — a hair model. This was a gig I could definitely do. No crazy lemon juice and cayenne pepper crash diet required.

    Dakota Clay, a stylist at Craft Salon, was teaching a Brazilian Keratin Treatment class and needed a model with shorter, naturally wavy to curly hair to receive the treatment while other stylists watched, took notes, asked questions and fondled my head. The BKT is a treatment that infuses keratin into the hair, forcing it to lie straighter and frizz less. Since my hair poofs out, falls flat and flips out on one side in humidity, I was the perfect candidate. And since my hair is chin-length, the process would take considerably less time.

    I settled into the chair while 30 stylists sat in front of me, looking curiously at my hair. The thing about being a model is people look at you … a lot. And while it’s a no-no to grapple models on the runway, my hair modeling experience was quite different.

    A BKT is done in several steps, so Clay first washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo, stripping it of oils and product. This, of course, meant head touching, which oddly enough, was relaxing, like I was at the spa, but with wacky hair and people staring.

    She blew my hair dry and began to apply the keratin, covering each strand. Human hair is 88-percent keratin, so the additional keratin encourages it to lie straighter. There was another round of intense blow-drying, followed by flat-ironing at 450 degrees. There was also intermittent rubbing, touching and smelling of my hair by complete strangers, but I didn’t mind. The promise of frizz-free hair was just moments away.

    The whole process took two-and-a-half hours and ended with stylists enjoying one last look and feel of my hair.

    For me though, the BKT adventure wasn’t over.

    There’s no washing, clipping, ponytailing or sweating for four days post-BKT. Did I mention I live in Houston? Where sweating is our summer pastime?

    You can however, flat iron, blow dry and brush during the four days of hair hell. But, by the end of my BKT boot camp, the non-sulfate free shampoo was the best experience ever and the end result is, well, model-worthy. My highlights look even more vibrant, my hair dries within minutes and best of all, no frizz.

    A BKT isn’t a straightener and quite frankly, not everyone knows how to apply it, so Clay says to ask questions before signing up for the treatment.

    “You will know very quickly if the person knows what they are doing by how they answer your questions. If they aren’t certified or if they can’t tell you how something works and why, don’t have them do your BKT,” Clay says.

    BKTs are expensive, starting at $300 and can take two to fours hours to do, depending on hair length. There is some question and controversy about formalin, methylene glycol and other forms of formaldehyde, a key ingredient in most BKT formulas. Many BKT formulas contain a small amount in the product to bind and preserve the keratin on the hair.

    The Marcia Teixeira BKT used during my treatment contains 1.98 percent of methylene glycol and I didn’t experience any reaction, unpleasant odors or fumes. It’s a personal decision for sure, but the reality is, in order for a BKT to work and last there is some kind of formalin in most products. The ones that are formalin-free often contain other chemicals and won’t last as long. Again, talk to your stylist and take the time to research the brands.

    As for me, I’m hooked. I know I have four months to enjoy this heavenly hair and who knows? It may be just the encouragement I need to make all of me runway ready.

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    LAUNDRY LOWDOWN

    Houston dermatologist's guide to doing laundry for healthier summer skin

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Jun 17, 2026 | 10:31 am
    Laundry
    Photo by Averie Woodard
    Houston's heat and humidity can increase sweat buildup on clothing, towels, bedding, and accessories. A dermatologist shares how often to wash common summer essentials to help prevent skin irritation, breakouts, and other seasonal skin concerns.

    Houstonians are familiar with Texas's unofficial fifth season – sweaty season. Rising temperatures, humidity, sunscreen, and the occasional visit to the pool or the beach create the perfect storm for skin irritation. A few extra loads of laundry might not be anyone's idea of summer fun, but healthier skin could make it worth the effort.

    Most people know to toss sweaty workout clothes straight into the laundry hamper, but many everyday items don't get the attention they deserve. According to Dr. Radhika Shah of Westlake Dermatology, skipping laundry day could quickly show up on a person's skin.

    "Sweat can mix with bacteria and other debris from the skin when it accumulates on clothing, which can lead to odors, skin irritation, and sometimes, infection," Shah tells CultureMap.

    The combination of sweat, heat, and moisture can create an environment where several common skin conditions thrive. Shah says she frequently sees issues including acne, folliculitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and yeast-related rashes such as intertrigo and tinea versicolor.

    Not all fabrics handle summer heat equally

    "People should look for cotton and linen (natural fabrics) over polyester and nylon (synthetic fabrics), as natural fabrics breathe better and tend to release sweat and odors more easily," Shah says.

    Many might think that warm weather causes clothing fibers to trap moisture and bacteria more quickly, but Shah explains that how a fabric reacts is heavily dependent on the fabric itself. That means material can make a noticeable difference during Houston's long stretch of heat and humidity.

    Laundry routines are important

    Summer laundry habits can affect skin health just as much as skincare products. Shah recommends avoiding heavily fragranced detergents whenever possible and skipping fabric softeners altogether.

    "Detergents with fragrance can irritate the skin further, especially in those with sensitive skin or eczema," she says. "In addition, I would try to avoid fabric softeners, which can coat fabrics and trap sweat and other skin debris."

    While everyone knows to wash underwear and gym clothes on repeat, Shah says there are two commonly overlooked items that deserve more attention.

    "Change your pillowcase and your hat," she says. Her recommendation is to wash pillowcases every two to four days and hats after every three to four wears.

    The summer washing guide for healthy skin

    Not sure how often to wash your favorite warm-weather essentials? Shah offers these guidelines for summer's hottest months.

    • Swimwear: After every wear. Chlorine, saltwater, sweat, and sunscreen residue can all linger in fabric and irritate skin.
    • Workout clothes: After every wear. This is non-negotiable during hot summers.
    • Bras: Every two to three wears.
    • Sleepwear: Every two to three wears.
    • Shorts and pants: Every two to three wears.
    • Dresses: Every two to three wears.
    • Jeans: Every three to four wears.
    • Bath towels: After three to four uses.
    • Beach towels: After every use.
    • Sheets: Weekly.
    • Pillowcases: Every two to four days.

    Don't forget your beauty tools

    Regular maintenance of beauty tools is also important for healthy skin, especially during the summer when sweat and sunscreen use increase. Makeup brushes, especially those used for foundation, concealer, and cream products, can accumulate oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and product buildup. Dermatologists recommend washing foundation and concealer brushes weekly, while powder brushes can typically be cleaned every 1 to 2 weeks.

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