Brazilian Blowout Emits Formaldehyde; Maker Agrees To Warning Label

SAN FRANCISCO -- The maker of a popular line of hair-straightening products has agreed to alert consumers that two of its formulations emit formaldehyde gas, a possible carcinogen, California's attorney general announced Monday.

The labeling changes are designed to settle a lawsuit the state filed in November against the company that makes Brazilian Blowout products, which have been a boon for those who dislike their naturally curly tresses but a source of health concerns.

The products are applied during salon treatments and coupled with high heat to temporarily smooth the hair shaft.

The attorney general's office had accused North Hollywood-based GIB LLC of deceptive advertising because Brazilian Blowout Acai Smoothing Solution and Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution were labeled as being free of formaldehyde, which can irritate the eyes, skin and lungs.

"California laws protect consumers and workers and give them fair notice about the health risks associated with the products they use," Attorney General Kamala Harris said in a statement. "This settlement requires the company to disclose any hazard so that Californians can make informed choices."

The company also agreed to pay $600,000 in penalties and fines for failing to notify consumers and hair stylists that its products contain chemicals that may cause cancer, and to have the products tested for all toxic substances at a state-approved lab.

As part of the settlement GIB also will be required to supply salons with a pamphlet outlining recommended safety precautions.

The company already has made the necessary labeling and marketing changes, and Brazilian Blowout products still will be available in California, GIB Chief Executive Officer Mike Brady said.

"We believe the settlement reached with Attorney General Harris represents a fair and equitable resolution," Brady said in a statement. "We are pleased to have this matter behind us and are confident these new practices will provide certified stylists who use our products each day and their loyal customers clarity and confidence."

Brazilian Blowout is a brand of keratin hair smoothers that first were popularized in Brazil but have been available in U.S. salons for several years. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been investigating the products, which also sparked a class-action lawsuit on behalf of consumers in California last year.

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Comments

[susanherna121377]

09:45 PM on 01/31/2012

There are still hair stylist that swear Brazilian Blowout is safe and that ALL of the test results are WRONG!

[vtmilitia]

05:48 PM on 01/31/2012

Yea that hair straightener killed her dead as a doornail,but she sure does look good now laying there.

[huffhuff7]

05:46 PM on 01/31/2012

FDA is dumped with overregulations of imports and local products, how did FDA approved this product in the first place??? SEC is the same, how did Madoff ripped off investors with multibillions without getting caught at its early stage??? Hook ups, power connections, what what what???

[ginadeoliveira2008]

05:40 PM on 01/31/2012

They are forbidden in Brazil now.

[brownka7904]

04:22 PM on 01/31/2012

The media and political government agencies have jumped on the opportunity to regulate in the name of public safety. On average humans produce and emit (by exhaling) 1.5 ounces of formaldehyde a day. Check out http://formaldehydefacts.org/ for the Truth about Formaldehyde.

[shiny73]

01:10 PM on 02/01/2012

The problem is not that individual consumers are exposed to it three or four times a year. The problem is that the STYLISTS are exposed to it all day long, and under the false premise that it is safe.

[Kurfco]

03:38 PM on 01/31/2012

Does everyone recall how ballistic everyone went about the trailers provided by FEMA to Hurricane Katrina victims? It was because they were made with glues that supposedly emitted formaldehyde. Here we have California regulators finally getting around to doing something about a product where you actually put formaldehyde directly on your hair and scalp, while breathing it in!

[AveragePatriot]

01:47 PM on 01/31/2012

I wonder if Cheney has interest in this company...

Haliburton seems to be involved with everything else that goes awry...

[Delaware22]

12:53 PM on 01/31/2012

Okay, I like to look good, but who would put this product on their hair after reading that warning? Trash it!

[L3ftofC3nter]

12:53 PM on 01/31/2012

I knew this procedure was dangerous. But so many women will do anything for that straight hair that I don't think they really care.