About the brand: Zerran International Corporation

Zerran International Corporation sells hair straightening products which they have marketed as 100% vegan that contain no formaldehyde or harsh chemicals. The Zerran Reform Natural Hair Straightening System and the Zerran RealLisse Natural Hair Smoothing System are only available for professional use. Public test results for formaldehyde content were not found for these products.

Products by Zerran International Corporation

	Product	Formaldehyde testing results	Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government	Product recalls
	Zerran RealLisse	not tested	0
	Zerran Reform	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

(For Zerran Reform) H o w d o e s Z e r r a n ' s R e f o r m w o r k ? Unlike traditional straightening or smoothing products, which rely on chemicals to break curl bonds, Reform relies on specific high heat to activate the permanent internal change from curly to straight. Our vegan proteins are derived from corn and soy, broken down to extremely small pieces. These protein particles are then small enough to penetrate into the hair shaft, permanently filling the gaps created when the disulfide curl bonds are broken by heat. The high specific heat opens the cuticle temporarily, allowing the proteins into the hair shaft. For this reason, a specific Zerran Reform-approved flatiron must be used. Reform Activator is pH 4.5-5.5, so no chemical neutralization is needed. The product is only heat activated, so neutralization occurs when the hair cools. For this same reason, no gloves or protective balms are needed. As you apply heat to Reform Activator, steam is released, with zero toxic emissions. None of the ingredients in Reform's patented process are formaldehyde or aldehyde donors. For this reason, no masks, fans, or expensive venting systems are needed. Reform is safe for use around children, pregnant women, and those with inhalation sensitivities [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 Zerran International Corporation products are listed below:

Zerran International Corporation - Zerran RealLisse

"ZERRAN REALLISSETM NATURAL HAIR SMOOTHING SYSTEM Zerran ReallisseTM is a patented, botanically based system offering semi-permanent smoothing MINUS the use of formaldehyde or other harsh chemicals. The 100% vegan formulation includes wheat, corn and oat proteins and no keratin or other animal products to relax curl and tame frizzy hair. This professional system is for salon use only. No chemical or health worries. No irritating fumes or odors. Hair will accept thermal curl. RealLisseTM can be used on hair that is colored or bleached. Smoothing results last 2 to 4 months. Enjoy ultra smooth, shiny and easy care hair that takes half the time to style. Keep the look and feel of improved natural hair without compromise!"
- from link

Zerran International Corporation - Zerran Reform

"ZERRAN REFORM® NATURAL HAIR STRAIGHTENING SYSTEM Zerran Reform® is a patented, botanically-based method for straightening hair safely, permanently and naturally without harsh chemicals. This 100% vegan formulation contains NO thioglycolates, sodium hydroxide, or guanidine hydroxide. NO formaldehyde. NO aldehydes. NO gloves, masks or protective balms needed. No objectionable odors. Fragrance free, scented with natural essential oils. Safe for use over color, highlights and perms. Highly effective on ethnic & resistant hair. Vegan. Gentle. Patented. Not a relaxer It's permanent No keratin No formaldehyde"
- from link

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:

Zerran. 2011. How does Zerran’s Reform work? Available: http://www.kulturekick.com/clients/zerran/documents/HowdoesZerransReformwork1.pdf Accessed: 2/25/2011.

Zerran. 2011B. Zerran Reform. Available: http://www.zerran.com/services/ServiceView/2 Accessed: 2/14/2011.

Zerran. 2011C. Zerran RealLisse. Available: http://www.zerran.com/services/ServiceView/3 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.