Brazilian Blowout Must Carry Health Warnings
The Brazilian Blowout is experiencing some serious blowback stemming from its use of formaldehyde gas.
In its first settlement with the California Attorney General's Office following a 2010 lawsuit which alleged five state law violations, the makers of the controversial hair treatment must issue warnings to customers alerting them of a potential health risk, Women's Wear Daily reports.
Manufacturers GIB LCC have been ordered to feature hazard warnings on its product packaging, and must notify recent product purchasers of a cancer warning, which will be included with future product shipments.
Under the new settlement, which is said to be the first legal action under California's Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005, the content of the Brazilian Blowout Website must be updated to reflect these health concerns.
GIB must also pay $600,000 in fees, penalties, and legal costs, and will use Department of Justice-approved laboratories to retest its products for smog-causing volatile organic compounds.
“California laws protect consumers and workers and give them fair notice about the health risks associated with the products they use,” California Attorney General Kamala Harris tells WWD.
“This settlement requires the company to disclose any hazard so that Californians can make more informed decisions.”
Health and beauty advocates are now calling on the FDA, which issued a warning letter in 2011, to take a stronger stance against the hair-smoothing treatment.
For its part, the North Hollywood-based GIB says it will comply with the measures but has no plans to change its formula, despite complaints of skin and eye irritations.
"We believe the settlement reached with Attorney General Harris represents a fair and equitable resolution,” says CEO Mike Brady.
“Brazilian Blowout will continue to sell its products normally throughout the state of California. The labeling and market and advertising changes agreed to in the settlement have already been in place for months.”
