Expert Warnings Follow Virgínia Fonseca’s Dubai Salon Ordeal Over Suspected Chemical Straightening

Overview

• Fonseca said she requested only hydration but suspects a fast straightening was done after eye burning, a strong odor and a later headache.
• She reported paying about 3,000 dirhams (roughly R$4,385) at a luxury hotel salon in Dubai while relying on a phone translator to explain the service.
• O Globo’s experts said genuine hydrations do not cause eye irritation and that rapid smoothing typically involves acids or other aggressive chemicals.
• Medical and hair specialists warned of possible hair weakening, scalp inflammation and respiratory irritation, with some effects emerging days after exposure.
• Experts advised halting any procedure that triggers intense symptoms, seeking a ventilated space and avoiding new chemicals for months, and no statement from the salon has been reported.