About the brand: Bio Ionic

Bio Ionic products were tested by Oregon OSHA and found to contain <0.01% formaldehyde. An ingredient list found online indicates the use of a thioglycolate chemical most often associated with use in permanent hair treatments.

Products by Bio Ionic

	Product	Formaldehyde testing results	Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government	Product recalls
	Bio Ionic KeraSmooth Anti-Frizz Treatment For Chemically Treated Hair	not tested	0
	Bio Ionic KeraSmooth Anti-Frizz Treatment For Virgin-Resistant Hair	<0.01 %	0

Formaldehyde test results

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

Bio Ionic haircare products contain Natural Ion Complex&tm; (a blend of 32 natural-occurring minerals) that emits Natural Negative Ions in to the hair. Natural Negative Ion energy is powerful enough to break down clusters of water molecules into fine particles that penetrate the hair shaft, to re-hydrate, re-condition and restore moisture balance. After using the Bio Ionic product system, hair feels smooth, super-soft and looks silky-shiny. http://www.bioionic.com/images/ionictechnology_r16_c6.jpg [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 Bio Ionic products are listed below:

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Bio Ionic - Bio Ionic KeraSmooth Anti-Frizz Treatment For Chemically Treated Hair

"Get sleek, smooth & shiny hair in 45 minutes with this treatment, the fastest defrizz and smoothing service ever! One-Step (No Neutralizer) & Formaldehyde-FREE, KeraSmooth&tm; is a simple, time-saving treatment that defrizzes, devolumizes, smoothes & straightens any hair type! Keratin-Henna formulas strengthen hair, add shine, improve elasticity, & allow stylists to select the formula that's right for their client. KeraSmooth&tm; contains Bio Ionic's NanoIonic&tm; Complex that hydrates and conditions hair, leaving hair healthy, hydrated and more manageable. Each treatment lasts for up to 12 weeks. KeraSmooth&tm; is for professional use only. Stylists should contact their local distributor for information, consumers should call Bio Ionic @ (323) 525-3001."
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Retailers: 25.31 from Elephant Deals via Amazon.com, 40 from eBay

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Bio Ionic - Bio Ionic KeraSmooth Anti-Frizz Treatment For Virgin-Resistant Hair

"Get sleek, smooth & shiny hair in 45 minutes with this treatment, the fastest defrizz and smoothing service ever! One-Step (No Neutralizer) & Formaldehyde-FREE, KeraSmooth&tm; is a simple, time-saving treatment that defrizzes, devolumizes, smoothes & straightens any hair type! Keratin-Henna formulas strengthen hair, add shine, improve elasticity, & allow stylists to select the formula that's right for their client. KeraSmooth&tm; contains Bio Ionic's NanoIonic&tm; Complex that hydrates and conditions hair, leaving hair healthy, hydrated and more manageable. Each treatment lasts for up to 12 weeks. KeraSmooth&tm; is for professional use only. Stylists should contact their local distributor for information, consumers should call Bio Ionic @ (323) 525-3001."
- from link

Retailers: 36 from Payless Beauty via Amazon.com, 48.99 from eBay

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:

Bio Ionic. 2011A. About Us. Available: http://www.bioionic.com/about.html Accessed: 2/7/2011.

Bio Ionic. 2011B. Ion Technology. Available: http://www.bioionic.com/ionictechnology.html Accessed: 2/7/2011.

Beauty Alliance. 2011. Material Safety Data Sheet. Available: http://msds.beautyalliance.com/BIO%20IONIC%20459/PFD%20FORMAT/ Accessed: 2/7/2011.

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.