Fashion & Beauty

The best blowout alternatives

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Salon owners use the protein keratin, the main structural component of hair, to revitalize locks. Used in combination with formaldehyde as part of Brazilian Blowout-type treatments, keratin stays on the shaft longer. Anticipating a ban on the mixture because of safety concerns, cosmetic manufacturers and salon owners are developing new straightening methods, which generally take about 90 minutes and last two to four months. Some may include the use of keratin — but without formaldehyde.

* Amino Acid Treatment at Ishi (70 E. 55th St.; 212-888-4744) — This Japanese salon has always been ahead of the curve on straightening procedures. One of the first to introduce “stick straight,” Ishi never pushed the keratin process. The salon now offers four methods, including gentler versions of the classic Japanese process, and a new amino-acid therapy, which delivers protein to the hair shaft. The process eliminates frizz and leaves body — even on coarse, thick hair. $450.

* Liqwd Hair Straightener at Paul Labrecque (171 E. 65th St.; 212-988-7816) — The salon owner was one of the first to take extra precautions, using ventilation and masks after he became ill from performing the keratin process on clients, and he was one of the earliest to look for a good alternative. His three salons now offer five types of tamers, which include an old-fashioned relaxer, Japanese straightening and the latest, Liqwd, which uses quinoa protein in place of formaldehyde. $500.

* Frizz Control with Bio Mimicry from Warren Tricomi (1 W. 58th St.; 262-8899) — The formula developed by Warren Tricomi Salons includes aloe vera, green walnut oil, sunflower seed oil and chlorophyll proteins, which are infused into the hair. $300, which includes a set of home maintenance products.

* Cashmere Luminance from Simadi Salon (154 E. 64th St.; 212-751-5739) — “Up until now, my clients were still demanding the keratin treatments, but after the latest reports, we’ve decided not to offer it anymore,” says salon owner Adi Aloni, who has picked an alternative process developed by Liscio straightening products. The technique uses lanolin, along with sodium sulfite, a gentle agent traditionally used to preserve wine and dried fruit, cellulous gum to smooth the surface and extract of silk protein for softness and shine. “The Luminance makes it 75 percent quicker for our clients to dry their own hair at home,” he says. $225

* Organic Olive Oil Treatment from Alma G (38 E. 21st St.; 212-353-0600) — The treatment, similar to a classic relaxer without caustic lye, combines organic olive oil, silk protein and egg yolk to keep hair soft, shiny and healthy-looking. “It’s the most gentle thing on the market now,” swears Alma Qeraxhiu, the salon’s owner. “I want to have children, and I picked it because it can even be used on pregnant women.” $150.