Health Canada Warning: Hair Smooth Solutions Contain High Levels of Formaldehyde

*Information from Health Canada Website Available Here

Information Update
2011-56
April 12, 2011
For immediate release

The issue

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.  These products are known to be available at salons across Canada but are not generally available directly to consumers.

Health Canada has received complaints of burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, and hair loss associated with use of professional hair smoothing products.   

Formaldehyde is permitted as a preservative in cosmetics at levels of no more than 0.2%.

The following table provides the names of products that have been listed in previous Health Canada advisories.

The following table provides the names of the products and the levels of formaldehyde found in our most recent round of testing that concluded in March 2011.

The following table provides the names of the products which 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.

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 consumers 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.

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.

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.

Background

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. 

Products recalled/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.

For more information

Consumers and health professionals can contact Consumer Product Safety toll free at 1-866-662-0666.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

Related Health Canada Web Content

• Advisory (October 26, 2010) – Brazilian Blowout Solution Contains Formaldehyde: Update
• Advisory (December 10, 2010) – Several Professional Hair Smoothing Solutions Contain Formaldehyde

How to report problems with consumer products:

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.

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