After reports from customers with various health problems, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) announced the restriction and collection of hair ointments for styling braids. Altogether, 11 ointments Modeling companies have their sales suspended so that the substances contained in these products can be investigated and brands can regulate them.
Trichologist Rosi Ribeiro talks to Agência Brasil about the use of hair ointments and the dangers of some cosmetics – Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom/ Agência Brasil
According to trichologist and hairdresser Rosi Ribeiro, the negative effects of using hair ointments can be felt both by the professional who applies the product and by the client. Reports are of itchy and red eyes, skin irritation, inflammation in the hair follicle and even temporary blindness. There are cases where repeated use of the ointment can lead to follicle clogging and hair loss.
“There was a case in which the client wore a braid for three months, the hair fell out and the follicle closed. Instead of removing the braid, she redid the hairstyle. The biggest problem is that, with the closure of this follicle, the hair no longer grows. “, said the professional.
Information
Pomade is a cosmetic generally used for fixing hairstyles. According to the trichologist, preservative substances allow for a longer shelf life of the product, but can cause adverse effects on users. These problems arise after the product comes into contact with water, which causes the ointment to run down the face and into the eyes. For Rosi Ribeiro, the best way to prevent negative effects is information.
“There is a myth that a woman needs to suffer to look beautiful, but that is not true. to have information”, he said. “Currently, everyone can make their own product. Go to the laboratory and make a product without controlling the amount of these preservatives and put it in excess. It is not that the substances cannot be used, but that they must follow specific rules and with the possibility of rinsing – which does not currently happen. So people need to know which substances can pose health risks,” he explained.
According to Anvisa, the products are the target of investigation by the regulatory agency itself and by the local Sanitary Surveillance bodies due to reports of patients about the occurrence of serious adverse events after use. All of these products can pose a health risk.
Anvisa explains that the prohibition of ointments is a precautionary measure that aims to protect the health of the population and that remains in effect while tests, tests, analyzes or other measures are required for further investigation of the case.
What to do if you have purchased the product
In case the consumer to have one of the products at home, the recommendation is that you do not use it and contact the company to verify the form of return.
If the product has already been used, in case of any adverse effect, the agency’s advice is to immediately seek the health service and inform Anvisa through the pages of citizen and professional who handles the product or of healthcare companies and professionals.
According to the trichologist, the instruction is that customers look for products based on natural substances, without preservatives and, consequently, with a short shelf life.
“There is a lack of information in the area of curls and afro hair. Professionals need to understand that it is possible for the service to be done with the same quality, without even using the ointment”, he stated. “Many people opt for certain options based on the price, but the recurrence of much cheaper products, without any regulation, in the short term. But in the long term, or even medium term (from 3 to 6 months), the person can to have a permanent baldness”, he explained.
According to Rosi Ribeiro, the negative effects of the ointment can impact women’s self-esteem. “The use of these products can lead to permanent baldness and this will psychologically undermine your self-esteem, your physical part, in addition to leading to expenses with several professionals such as dermatologists and psychologists”, she pointed out.
Rosi Ribeiro says the big problem is lack of information Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom/ Agência Brasil
social service
Rosi Ribeiro leads the social project Not Alisa, Mom, a free initiative to help families take care of their children’s frizzy and curly hair. Aimed at children from two to 14 years old, the proposal is to teach techniques to take care of curly and curly hair. The professional evaluates the children’s hair and advises on the possibilities of taking care of the hair without damaging it.
report
the digital influencer Bielle Elizabeth told on his Instagram account the experience with a hair ointment and the scare when he temporarily lost his sight. The modeling ointment used to fix the hairstyle on the hair fell into the eyes due to rain.
Influencer Bielle Elizabeth had temporary blindness after using hair ointment. – Play Instagram
“I used the ointment to be able to finalize the baby hair, because that’s what we do. It’s a normal thing, there’s no culprit except the brand of ointment that doesn’t have the correct indications to let it circulate in the market”, he said. “I used the ointment and I went to an event, I was doing the advertising, and it rained. I caught the rain and the ointment automatically slipped and got in my eyes. At the same time, I had a reaction”, he added.
With severe pain in her eyes and unable to see, Elizabeth gradually recovered her sight after to have been rescued and medicated in an emergency room.
“Who here hasn’t let a drop of shampoo fall into their eye when washing their hair in the shower? Is it the rule to go blind for that? No. The same thought should be applied to the modeling paste. It is extremely irresponsible and cowardly to blame the victims. It rained, it sweated. Something natural, which at no time should be put in check to justify a product that causes pain to the customer”, he said. “Irritation is acceptable up to and in exception. But what we are seeing here is the rule of just one day 140 people having reactions to a product that has in its chemistry the power to blind a person”, he added.
