About the brand: Bravo Biocare

Bravo BioCare by J.A. Hair Design sells products under the Organic Thermo Fusion label. The products are advertised as “a safe product, free of toxic components. Environmental Safe.” They also state that the product is FDA approved. The company lists Morbicid Acid, an uncommon synonym for formaldehyde, as an ingredient in their keratin treatments. Public test results of the formaldehyde content of these products were not found.

Products by Bravo Biocare

	Product	Formaldehyde testing results	Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government	Product recalls
	Organic Thermo Fusion, Brazilian Keratin Hair Tratment	not tested	0

INJURIES: CLIENT/SALON WORKER INJURIES REPORTED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Consumers or salon workers filed at least [27] reports of adverse events (injuries) from using hair straighteners, according to documents provided by the Food and Drug Administration in response to EWG's Freedom of Information Act request.

PRODUCT RECALLS

Since 2009, health and consumer product agencies in 6 countries have announced recalls of hair straighteners with high amounts of formaldehyde.

WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS ABOUT HOW THEIR PRODUCT WORKS

Organic Thermo Fusion was formulated specially for damaged, chemically treated and dry hair to eliminate frizz and out of control curls. As keratin is infused into the hair, it penetrates deep into the damaged cuticle giving the hair a naturally relaxed look and leaving even the most porous hair silky, shinny and healthy. This is a not water based product so small amount of product is enough to get great results. Adding animal keratin hydrolyzed and natural elements as essential oils, babasu extracts, amazonic sabia and ginseng, combined with natural fragrances that allow a pleasant smell while applying it. We have found a perfect balance giving back your hair natural virtues like: Shine, Softness, Elasticity and Texture among others. Made with natural ingredients taken from organic elements. Our commitment is to offer a safe product, free of toxic components. Environmental safe. [link]

AVAILABLE FOR DIRECT PURCHASE BY CONSUMERS?

A loophole in federal labeling law allows companies to sell "professional use" products without the ingredient label required on all other personal care products, so the use of formaldehyde can be hidden. Nearly all of the hair straightening products surveyed by EWG are marketed for professional use only. Despite these claims, EWG found that consumers can easily purchase "professional use" products through online retailers. Retailers identified for Bravo Biocare products are listed below:

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Bravo BioCare - Organic Thermo Fusion, Brazilian Keratin Hair Tratment

"Organic Thermo Fusion was formulated specially for damaged, chemically treated and dry hair to eliminate frizz and out of control curls. As keratin is infused into the hair, it penetrates deep into the damaged cuticle giving the hair a naturally relaxed look and leaving even the most porous hair silky, shinny and healthy. This is a not water based product so small amount of product is enough to get great results. Adding animal keratin hydrolyzed and natural elements as essential oils, babasu extracts, amazonic sabia and ginseng, combined with natural fragrances that allow a pleasant smell while applying it. We have found a perfect balance giving back your hair natural virtues like: Shine, Softness, Elasticity and Texture among others. Made with natural ingredients taken from organic elements. Our commitment is to offer a safe product, free of toxic components. Environmental safe. This Kit includes: 1) Step 1: Pre-treatment Shampoo 32oz. 2) Step 2: Keratin Solucion 32oz 3) Instructions. Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Propelene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimoium Methosulfate. Quatemiun-33, Centrimonium Chloride, Polyquantemium-7 Cethylhexanoate, Bis-isobutyl Peg/ppg-20/35/Amodimethicone copolymer, Polysorbate-80 Butylene glycol, Morbicid Acid, Mineral Oil, Hydrogenated Sterene/ButadoemeCopolymer, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Fragances Made in USA"
- from link

Retailers: 50 from Organictf via Amazon.com, 260 from Bravo BioCare website (32 oz)

Legal Disclaimer:

The conclusions and findings that appear on this page reflect EWG's research at the time of publication stated above. In light of evolving market conditions, subsequent product reformulations, and other factors, they may no longer be current. EWG makes no representations or warranties about any of the products that appear on this page. EWG hereby disclaims all warranties with regard to any of the products that appear on this page, including express, statutory, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use.

References:

Amazon.com. 2011. Organic Thermo Fusion, Keratin Hair Treatment. Available: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Thermo-Fusion-Keratin-Tratment/dp/B002WR454G/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1297089926&sr=1-2 Accessed: 2/18/2011.

Bravo BioCare. 2011. Organic Thermo Fusion – Brazilian Keratin Treatment. Available: http://www.bravobiocare.com/pages/Keratin-Treatment-.html Accessed: 2/18/2011.

ACCC 2010. Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. Product Safety Recalls. Available at: http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/952834 Accessed: 1/6/2011.

AFSSAPS 2010. French Agency for the Safety of Health Products. Notice of the French Agency for Safety of Health Products concerning the health risks of exposure to formaldehyde in some smoothing hair cosmetics.” Available: http://bit.ly/fDLJF2 Accessed: 1/6/2011.

Anonymous 2010. Analytical report. Columbia Analytical Services. 3/25/2010-10/1/2010. Available: http://nadinejolie.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Formaldehyde_Brazilian_Reports.pdf. Accessed: 1/7/2010.

Fisher M 2007. Scared Strait Warning: A hot new hair-straightening treatment from Brazil could be a health hazard. But that hasn’t stopped people from performing it. Allure. Available: http://www.allure.com/magazine/2007/10/scared_straight Accessed: 1/6/2011.

Health Canada 2010A. Brazilian Blowout Solution Contains Formaldehyde. 10/7/2010. Available: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_167-eng.php Accessed: 1/6/2011.

Health Canada 2010B. Brazilian Blowout Solution Contains Formaldehyde: Update. 10/26/2010. Available: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_182-eng.php Accessed: 1/6/2011.

Health Canada 2010C. Several Professional Hair Smoothing Solutions Contain Formaldehyde. 12/10/2010. Available: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2010/2010_222-eng.php Accessed: 1/6/2011.

IMB 2010A. Concerns Relating to use of Certain Hair Straightening Products – Update. 11/29/2010. Available: http://bit.ly/hHJtRn Accessed: 1/6/2011.

IMB 2010B. Irish Medicines Board, Concerns relating to the use of certain Hair Straigtening Products. 12/23/2010. Available: http://www.imb.ie/EN/News/Concerns-relating-to-the-use-of-certain-Hair-Straightening-Products-.aspx?page=1&year=0&categoryid

Irish NCA 2010. ‘Marcia Teixeira’ hair products withdrawn. 6/14/2010. Available: http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/News_+_Research/Product_Recalls/marcia-teixeira-hair-products.html Accessed: 1/7/2011.

OREGON OSHA 2010A. OHSU Toxicology Center Issues Public Alerts About the Ingredients of a Popular Hair Salon Treatment. 9/30/2010. Available: http://www.Oregon OSHA.org/admin/newsrelease/2010/nr2010_24.pdf Accessed: Accessed: 1/7/2011.

Oregon OSHA 2010B “Keratin-Based” Hair Smoothing Products And the Presence of Formladehyde. October 29,2010. Available: http://www.orosha.org/pdf/Final_Hair_Smoothing_Report.pdf Accessed: 1/7/2011.

PBA 2007. Professional Beauty Association testing results. FDA Freedom of Information Act request F10-8327. Received 12/3/2010.

RAPEX 2010. European Union Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/rapex/index_en.htm. Accessed: 1/6/2011.