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Several Professional Hair Smoothing Solutions Contain Excess Levels of Formaldehyde
- Starting date:
- April 12, 2011
- Posting date:
- April 12, 2011
- Type of communication:
- Information Update
- Subcategory:
- Cosmetics
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Product Safety, Important Safety Information
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-110004967
- Products affected
- What you should do
- Depth of distribution
- Who is affected
- What industry professionals should do
- Background
- Affected products
- Report health or safety concerns
- Media enquiries
- Public enquiries
- What Health Canada is doing
As part of its ongoing work on hair smoothing products, Health Canada is warning Canadians that eleven additional professional hair smoothing solutions have been found to contain levels of formaldehyde above the limit set by Health Canada, as determined by Health Canada testing or information provided by the company.
| Product | Level of Formaldehyde |
|---|---|
| Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Solution by Brazilian Blowout | 8.4% |
| Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Marcia Teixeira | 1.8% |
| Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Marcia Teixeira | 1.7% |
| Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment by Marcia Teixeira | 1.6% |
| Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy Treatment by Copomon (Coppola) | 1.8% |
| Global Keratin Taming System Strawberry by Global Keratin | 3.0% |
| Global Keratin Taming System with Juvexin Strawberry Resistant by Global Keratin | 4.4% |
| Global Keratin Taming System with Juvexin Strawberry Light Wave by Global Keratin | 1.4% |
| Pro-Collagen RX Keratin Treatment | 2.8% |
| IStraight Keratin (Advanced Keratin Treatment) by IBS Beauty | 2.3% |
| Brazilian Thermal Reconstruction by Cadiveu | 7.0% |
| Product | Level of Formaldehyde |
|---|---|
| Keratin Complex Express Blowout by Copomon (Coppola) | 1.70% |
| Brazilian Keratin Treatment (Mint) - Royal Keratin Professional Line by Keratin Connection (This product is also available in Chocolate and Strawberry) | 1.54% |
| Veloce by La Brasiliana | 0.35% |
| Zero(Apple) by La Brasiliana (This product is also available in Clear and Mocha) | 0.76% |
| Moroccan Hair Treatment by Inoar | 2.84% |
These products contain unacceptable levels of formaldehyde based on data submitted to Health Canada. Health Canada has not tested these products, but based on the information submitted, they are not permitted for sale in Canada.
- Original by La Brasiliana (This product is also available in Original Chocolate.)
- Domani by La Brasiliana
- Spruzzi by La Brasiliana
- Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Pro Skin Solutions
- Marcia Teixeira Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment EU by M&M International
- Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment EU by M&M International
Products affected
This advisory is for the products listed in the table above.
Health Canada is aware that the affected products are typically available in salons only.
What you should do
- Consumers who are experiencing adverse reactions to these professional hair smoothing solutions are advised to seek medical attention.
- Consumers should be aware that some products are being marketed or advertised as being "approved" by Health Canada. Health Canada does not approve cosmetic products.
- Consumers who are aware of salons using products mentioned on the advisory can report it to Health Canada using the incident report form on the Health Canada website.
- Adverse reactions to cosmetics can be reported to Health Canada using a form available on Health Canada's website.
Depth of distribution
These products are known to be available at salons across Canada but are not generally available directly to consumers.
Who is affected
Consumers receiving these hair smoothing treatments, and stylists performing the treatment may experience reactions of burning eyes, nose, throat, and breathing troubles. Repeated exposure may lead to sensitization.
What industry professionals should do
Stylists who use these professional hair smoothing solutions should immediately stop using the affected product. Services using the products mentioned on the advisory should not be offered to clients. Health Canada has not tested all professional hair smoothing solutions. It is the responsibility of manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers to ensure that their product is in compliance with the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations.
Background
Formaldehyde is permitted as a preservative in cosmetics at levels of no more than 0.2%.
In addition to today's advisory, an advisory on Brazilian Blowout Solution was issued on October 26, 2010, followed by an updated Advisory listing several other hair smoothing products on December 10, 2010. Formaldehyde is permitted as a preservative in cosmetics at levels of no more than 0.2%. Formaldehyde is a known irritant, sensitizer, and is linked to cancer in humans when inhaled chronically over a long period of time. Health Canada believes that the reactions are being caused by formaldehyde becoming vapourized during the blow drying and flat ironing stages of the treatment. Any procedure using products containing formaldehyde above the allowable limits places clients and stylists at increased risk.
Affected products
Several Professional Hair Smoothing Solutions Contain Excess Levels of Formaldehyde
Hazard identified
Health Canada has received complaints of burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and hair loss associated with use of professional hair smoothing products.
Report health or safety concerns
Health Canada is interested in receiving reports of incidents or injury related to consumer products and cosmetics that have been previously recalled (health and safety related complaints). Incidents or injuries may be about the same hazard or may be about a different hazard related to the same product. An incident report form can be accessed on the Health Canada website.
Media enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Public enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada is working with the Canadian distributors to address concerns regarding professional hair smoothing solutions, and to stop sale of the products listed above at all levels of trade.
In addition, Health Canada continues to monitor the marketplace to find any other affected products that may have been distributed in Canada.