Brazilian Blowout maintains product safety
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Following independent testing conducted Oct. 9 by "one of California's leading environmental safety companies," Brazilian Blowout says formaldehyde exposure levels at an unnamed salon performing Brazilian Blowout straightening treatments were found to be six times lower than the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's "most stringent and conservative standard for air quality safety." Health Canada had issued an advisory Oct. 7 urging stylists to stop using Brazilian Blowout products based on consumer complaints and testing that identified formaldehyde concentrations at higher-than-accepted levels (1"The Rose Sheet" Oct. 11, 2010, In Brief). In an Oct. 11 release, Brazilian Blowout distributor Cavideu USA suggests discrepancy between test results highlights need for updated testing standards. "Industry experts have for years expressed concerns that standardized government testing methods for formaldehyde in water-based cosmetic products are inaccurate and do not measure the actual formaldehyde levels.
You may also be interested in...
Formaldehyde found in Brazilian Blowout products
After receiving complaints from consumers, Oregon's Occupational Safety & Health Division and Canadian regulatory body Health Canada tested and determined products from California-based Brazilian Blowout contain high levels of formaldehyde. Using four different testing methods, Oregon OSHA found product samples to have formaldehyde levels between 4.85% and 10.6%, while Health Canada found samples with 12% formaldehyde. In its Oct. 5 release, Brazilian Blowout - marketer of a hair-smoothing treatment administered by salons - says its own testing shows trace formaldehyde levels of less than 0.002%, which is considered safe and "allows for use of the term 'formaldehyde-free.'" Health Canada received complaints of "burning eyes, nose and throat, breathing difficulties," it says, as well as one report of hair loss from use of Brazilian Blowout products. It issued an advisory Oct. 7 urging stylists to stop using Brazilian Blowout treatments and directing consumers to seek medical attention if they are exhibiting reactions. Brazilian Blowout maintains the level of formaldehyde is 10,000 times less than the 40 parts-per-million concentration limit set by California's Proposition 65. As the firm continues its investigation into the claims, "we are confident that all misinformation and inaccurate data will soon be dispelled," it says. FDA weighs in with a notice on its website Oct. 8, stating it has not received any official adverse event reports on Brazilian Blowout but is working with state and local organizations "to determine whether the products or ingredients would be likely to cause health problems under the intended conditions of use.
Hanmi-OCI Merger Hits Wall As Brothers Win Shareholder Vote, Board Seats
The planned merger of Korea's Hanmi Pharm Group with OCI Group hits a major speed bump as the two sons of Hanmi's founder and other candidates recommended by them secture board seats. But it remains to be seen how the Lim brothers will fulfil their ambitious promises.
Beauty Firms Using AI-Based Tools Could Be Subject To Health Privacy Laws In US States
Using AI-based programs to collect and store consumer information risks running afoul of new health privacy laws cropping up in US states. Lack of federal regulation or guidance on the issue is one of the biggest challenges for beauty firms deploying AI, according to Stacy Marcus, partner at Reed Smith LLP.