About the brand: RG Cosmetics LLC

RG Cosmetics develops and sells the Ipanema and Amazon hair straightening product lines. These treatments are available to consumers via the RG Cosmetics website. Public test results for formaldehyde content for these products were not found.

Products by RG Cosmetics LLC

	Product	Formaldehyde testing results	Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government	Product recalls
	Ipanema Treatment Kit	not tested	0
	Ipanema Supreme Kit	not tested	0
	Amazon Brazilian Smoothing Treatment	not tested	0
	Amazon Plus Brazilian Smoothing Treatment	not tested	0
	Amazon X-Treme Brazilian Smoothing Treatment	not tested	0

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

How Does it Work... When it comes to keratin, tough is good. Its strong protective qualities improve the hair both inside and out. It brings to hair what it was lacking to begin with and what it has lost over the years. Is the hair dull dry and damaged? Is it curly, wavy, frizzy, overly voluminous or unmanageable? Application of our keratin treatment puts an end to all that. The smaller keratin molecules penetrate the hair cortex improving and repairing the quality of the hair from the inside. The added strength, elasticity and moisture result in the smooth, soft, shiny and straightened effect. The larger molecules coat the hair cuticle and take the environmental insults such as UV rays, smog, and smoke for your hair on the outside. Further damage to the hair shaft is prevented. [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 RG Cosmetics LLC products are listed below:

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RG Cosmetics LLC - Ipanema Treatment Kit

Retailers: $270 (32 oz) from RG Cosmetics website

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RG Cosmetics LLC - Ipanema Supreme Kit

Retailers: $290 (32 oz) from RG Cosmetics website

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RG Cosmetics LLC - Amazon Brazilian Smoothing Treatment

"RG Amazon Brazilian Smoothing Treatment combines the purity of nature with a technological breakthrough, creating this unique STEAM-FREE hair treatment. This exclusive formula blends the powerful antioxidant Organic Acai with the hydrating reconstructive properties of Brazilian Nut Oil, making your hair shiny, silky and manageable. RG Amazon Treatment is suitable for fine to medium hair including damaged, frizzy or voluminous hair."
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Retailers: $270 (32 oz) from RG Cosmetics website

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RG Cosmetics LLC - Amazon Plus Brazilian Smoothing Treatment

"RG Amazon Plus Brazilian Smoothing Treatment combines the purity of nature with a technological breakthrough, creating this unique STEAM-FREE hair treatment. Essential Mint Oil and Brazilian Nut Oil are used to revitalize your hair. Sicilian Lemon Extract works as a powerful antioxidant. This exceptional formula will restore and strengthen your hair leaving it silky, shiny and completely manageable. RG Amazon Plus Brazilian Smoothing Treatment is suitable for medium to thick hair, including frizzy or voluminous hair. This product is also recommended for sun damaged or chemically treated hair."
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Retailers: $290 (32 oz) from RG Cosmetics website

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RG Cosmetics LLC - Amazon X-Treme Brazilian Smoothing Treatment

"RG Amazon X-Treme Brazilian Smoothing Treatment combines the purity of nature with a technological breakthrough, creating this unique STEAM-FREE hair treatment. Mango Butter nourishes and softens stubborn hair. Brazilian Nut Oil reconstructs and hydrates. This extraordinary formula restores and strengthens your hair, giving you shiny, sleek, healthy looking hair. RG Amazon X-Treme Brazilian Smoothing Treatment is suitable for coarse or extremely frizzy hair and people looking for X-Treme results."
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Retailers: $310 (32 oz) from RG Cosmetics website

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:

RG Cosmetics. 2011. How Does it work… Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/faq.php Accessed: 2/25/2011.

RG Cosmetics. 2011B. Ipanema Treatment Kit. Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/rgstore/Ipanema-Treatment-Kit Accessed: 2/14/2011.

RG Cosmetics. 2011C. Ipanema Supreme Kit. Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/rgstore/IPANEMA-SUPREME-KIT Accessed: 2/14/2011.

RG Cosmetics. 2011D. Amazon. Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/rgstore/IPANEMA-SUPREME-KIT Accessed: 2/14/2011.

RG Cosmetics. 2011E. Amazon Plus. Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/rgstore/AMAZON-PLUS Accessed: 2/14/2011.

RG Cosmetics. 2011F. Amazon X-Treme. Available: http://www.rg-cosmetics.com/rgstore/AMAZON-EXTREME Accessed: 2/14/2011.

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.