COMING CLEAN ON HAIR CARE PRODUCT CLAIMS
Proper labeling is an important aspect of a cosmetic or personal care product. Labeling is used to help inform consumers of a product's intended use and any related warnings, its ingredients and net quantity of contents, and its place of manufacture or distribution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate cosmetic labeling under the authority of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). These laws and their related regulations are intended to protect consumers from health hazards and deceptive practices and to help consumers make informed decisions about the personal care products they purchase. Still, names can be confusing such as “salon formulated” and it can be difficult for consumers to understand why they really mean. We asked Piero Pirri, famed hairstylist and owner of Pirri Hair Group in Ct and the founder of the hair care line Pirri Elements to help decode hair product jargon.
Natural isn’t always better. “Consumers should not necessarily assume that an ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ ingredient or product would possess greater inherent safety than another chemically identical version of the same ingredient,” “In fact, ‘natural’ ingredients may be harder to preserve against microbial contamination and growth than synthetic raw materials” says Piero. The best conditioners on the market contain silicone, which leaves your hair smooth and silky but is completely unnatural.
Hypoallergenic: Even if you have sensitive skin, products labeled “hypoallergenic” are a waste of money. “‘Hypoallergenic’ is little more than a nonsense word,” warns Piero. “Given that there are no regulations governing this supposed category that was made up by the cosmetics industry, there are plenty of products labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ that contain problematic ingredients and that could indeed trigger allergic reactions. The word ‘hypoallergenic’ gives you no better understanding of what you are or aren’t putting on your skin.”
Studies: The back of the bottle of shampoo promises “up to 70% more volume” and that it’s “proven to perform” based on “a consumer test.” “There are lots of ways to use pseudoscience to create proof for a claim that, in reality, has very little to do with science and everything to do with marketing,” explains Piero.
Clinically Proven:
It is meant to infer that he manufacturer has conducted some testing of the product in a clinical setting, like a lab. It doesn't mean that anything significant has been "proven."
Fragrance-free: It means that the product has no noticeable smell and usually contains no added artificial or chemical fragrances. Piero explains that, “It doesn't mean it's totally free of added substances, like botanical extracts, that mask the smell of the basic ingredients.”
Dermatologist-Tested: This means thata dermatologist tested the product.
It does not mean that it's approved and endorsed by a dermatologist. "The implication is that the dermatologist liked it, but you don't know that," says Piero.
Restructuring: Found on hair-care labels, this word implies the product will restore hair to its natural structure — before it was damaged with styling and chemical treatments.
Piero cautions that, “It does not mean that you can permanently restructure hair. This is a temporary fix that will leave hair looking and feeling healthier.”
Many drug store brands claim that they are just as good as the salon brands. The simple truth is that salon products and drug store brands can have the same ingredients. However, the amounts of those ingredients per bottle are what you really need to know. Most salon quality hair care products have much more of the proteins and vitamins that your hair needs to stay healthy. The drug store brands may have these ingredients, but they have them in much lower quantities.
You may find brands that boast extra ingredients like honey, aloe, or natural herbs. Piero says that, “For the most part, these are just for show. While some of these may have benefits for your hair the truth is there simply are not enough of those ingredients in the product to have any effect.”
Piero cautions that, “Any product claiming it can heal your hair is not worth any price. Hair is dead and cannot be fixed with anything but a good set of styling scissors. If you are considering salon products but you are not sure about paying the extra money, try samples and see for yourself if you notice any improvement.”
The Salon: About Pirri Hair Group
Pirri Hair Group is designed and managed to best capture the essence of European culture. Everyone that enters the salon has their choice of selecting from fashion forward vibrant hair colors and precision hair cuts – always leaving looking their best. The Pirri brothers pay close attention to the current fashion trends to sculpt couture and constantly evolving styles. For a full menu of services, please visit: www.pirrihairgroup.com
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