Keratin Products Advertised as Formaldehyde-free

The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel completed an extensive review of formaldehyde in 1984, and listed it as "safe as used" in cosmetics within certain specifications.

The CIR has listed formaldehyde as safe for use in cosmetics in quantities of point two percent (0.2%) or less. That means the amount of formaldehyde contained in most keratin straightening complexes is 10 times the suggested safe usage amount.

The worrying part is that these products are being advertised as 'formaldehyde free' and clearly this is not the case. Research has also found a link between formaldehyde found in mobile phones and throat cancers.

I'm most concerned for the innocent hairdresser who are not being given the correct information and are exposing themselves regularly to this harmful chemical.