WHAT is the fda's stance on hair straightener products?

If you suffered hair straightener side effects from products for straightened hair, contact hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate hair straightener products or other products for straightened hair under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  And if they are marketed on a retail basis to consumers such as hair straightener products, under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.

Furthermore, cosmetic products such as products for straightened hair must be safe for their intended conditions of use and must be labeled properly. Manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their hair straightener products, and they must label their products for straightened hair with all the ingredients. In a manufacturer of hair straightener products does not comply with these requirements, the FDA has the authority to take action against manufacturers of products for straightened hair that do not comply with the law.

The FDA's stance on the use of formaldehyde in hair straightener products

Call hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles to see if you are eligible for a hair straightener lawsuit

Hair straightening is normally applied to the hair followed by a heat treatment which seals the solution in. ​As the FDA explains, most hair straightener products contain formaldehyde which when heated releases gas into the air.   This presents a serious problem if a salon that uses hair straightener products is not properly ventilated because the formaldehyde can be inhaled by both salon workers and their clients. 

This can present a serious health hazard as explained by the FDA: "Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that presents a health hazard when breathed into the lungs, or when it gets into the eyes or onto the skin."

The FDA further notes, "According to the National Cancer Institute, when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, and skin irritation."  And formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer due to the fact that at high levels or exposure over time, studies have linked formaldehyde to certain types of cancers.

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What the FDA says consumers should know about hair straightener products

According to the agency, repeated contact with hair straightener products that contain formaldehyde, can cause skin sensitization and allergic dermatitis can develop after repeated contact with hair straightener products. Moreover, when formaldehyde is release into the air, it can cause serious irritation to the nose, eyes and lungs.  The higher the amount of expose and the longer amount of time someone is exposed to formaldehyde, the higher the potential health risks in using hair straightener products.

The FDA list the following reactions that have been reported:

• eye problems or irritation
• nervous system problems (for example, headaches and dizziness)
• espiratory tract problems (sore or scratchy throat, cough, wheezing)
• nausea, chest pain
• vomiting
• rashes

THE STEPS THE FDA SUGGESTS FOR CONSUMERS CONSIDERING PURCHASING PRODUCTS FOR STRAIGTENED HAIR

If you are considering purchasing hair straightener products, here are the steps the FDA recommends. 

• Read the label. Hair straightener products are required to have a list of all the ingredients on the label. If the products for straightened hair you are consider purchasing do not list the ingredients, the FDA recommends not purchasing the product.​
• Ask a salon professional.  Ask a salon professional if they know whether the hair straightener products they use contains formaldehyde-related ingredients. If they do not know or are unsure, you may not want to use the product, particularly if you have had a reaction in the past.
• Report bad reactions.  If you experience a bad reaction from any hair straightener products, the FDA encourages you to report your symptoms to the both FDA as well as to your health care provider.  You can report reactions to products for straightened hair to the FDA by phone to the nearest Consumer Complaint Coordinator at your nearest FDA district office, and phone numbers are posted on the FDA's Web page at Consumer Complaint Coordinators. You can also report online to the FDA's MedWatch adverse event reporting system or you can call MedWatch at 1-800-332-1088.  

CONTACT A HAIR STRAIGHTENER LAWYER TODAY

If you used hair straightener products or other products for straightened hair and subsequently were diagnosed with uterine cancer or breast cancer or suffered any other hair straightener side effects from hair straightener products, contact hair straightener lawyer Timothy L. Miles to see if you may be eligible for a hair straightener lawsuit and possibly be entitled to significant compensation. While there is still time to file a lawsuit, be mindful that these cases are time sensitive, and give us a call today. ​

TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, RecognizingExcellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, civil procedure, derivative actions, corporate takeover litigation, corporate formation, mass torts, dangerous drugs, and more.  Please visit our website.