December 27, 2010
CosmeticOBS-L'Observatoire des Cosmétiques reported on December 14, on
the concerns in the U.S. about the level of formaldehyde found in hair straightening products
used heated.
Be careful, the two health authorities in charge of cosmetics in France tell us today, these products are available in our country.
Here is the full text of their communiqué:
The French Agency for the Safety of Health Products (
Afssaps
) and the General Directorate for Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (
DGCCRF
) warn consumers about hair products that could face them with risks for their health because
formaldehyde
's content is above the maximum allowed level.
Hair smoothing products are cosmetic products mainly used by hair's dressers. However, they are also sold on the Internet, mostly imported from the United States or Brazil, and applied by the consumer himself or by professionals going in users' homes. These products are generally to be used on high temperature ceramic plates. However, this technique used by hair's dressers may lead to a high rate of ambient formaldehyde , if many hairs are processed without a suitable ventilation.
After a chronic exposure of humans by inhalation, formaldehyde is carcinogenic in the …