Category: Haircare Advice

Haircare advice from Joseph Kellner.

Deception, Greed, Lies Pure Traits of My Profession

~ Joseph Kellner

In my industry trying to give the professional who works behind a chair daily as an employee, booth renter, salon owner the real story of what they are using pertaining to products, and advertising is a very easy job. I take high regard for my fellow professionals, and give them a full amount of respect. Beauty Industry Reports, Manufacturers, And also Magazines in this industry take pride on receiving a pat on the back from fellow members who do not want to break the lines of greed and deception they consistently promote from within my industry.

If you take the time to look at this Professional Keratin Smoothing Council they claim that they are the Committed to the safety of salon professionals and consumers and the growth of the professional beauty industry, advocacy for the Keratin/Smoothing hair category and the principles of professionalism, transparency and accountability. The members are as follows Marcia Teixeira, Keratin Complex , Cadiveu were all cited for mis-labeling, improper  MSDS Sheets.

During Federal OSHA investigations, air tests showed formaldehyde at levels above OSHA’s limits in salons using Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, labeled “formaldehyde free,” and Brasil Cacau Cadiveu. Both Federal and State OSHA have found violations at several manufacturers, importers, and distributors (GIB LLC dba Brazilian Blowout, Keratronics Inc., Pro Skin Solutions, M&M International Inc., Copomon, INOVA Professional). The violations include failing to list formaldehyde as a hazardous ingredient on the MSDS (the hazard warning sheet) provided to downstream users (e.g., salon owners, stylists), failing to include proper hazard warnings on product labels, and failing to list the health effects of formaldehyde exposure on the MSDS. Labels must include ingredient and hazard warning information and the MSDS must provide users with information about the chemicals in a product, the hazards to workers, and how to use a product safely.

But these company’s have banded to provide you with false information, leading you to believe their company’s as honest, depending so-called organization in our industry. Again I quote them “Committed to the safety of salon professionals and consumers and the growth of the professional beauty industry, advocacy for the Keratin/Smoothing hair category and the principles of professionalism, transparency and accountability”. They were cited by OSHA in 2011, their website started in 2011. They were interviewed by the BIR (Beauty Industry Report?) in 2011. The BIR’S Written interview with the (PKSC) in 2011 states ” As reported by Beauty Industry Report (BIR) in March, a number of the top companies in the category, such as Cadiveu, Keratin Complex, Marcia Teixeira, SalonTech and Aerovex Systems have joined forces to form the Professional Keratin Smoothing Council (PKSC) to advocate for this continually expanding segment of the industry. BIR recently had the opportunity to chat with the founding members to learn about their plans to safeguard one of the most lucrative opportunities to hit the professional beauty industry in decades. Knowing full well they were cited by OSHA for violations. Do you think they would come back after seeing these entity’s claiming honesty, and commitment to the industry as a falsehood. No that would not be good business. Business is the big word here everyone.  In the interview a question was asked and I quote, BIR: What would BIR’s readers be surprised to learn about the controversy surrounding this category of products? Claudia Ancantara, Cadiveu Brazil, President; Founding Member PKSC:

“Regulatory agencies in the US and around the world continue to use antiquated and highly inaccurate methods to measure the level of formaldehyde in not only cosmetics, but in other areas, including scientific research. The lack of standardization has contributed to a wide scale skewing of reported results. As a result, salon professionals and consumers are receiving information that is inaccurate, inflammatory and destructive to our industry and economy. The vast majority of manufacturers marketing products in this category are committed to providing safe products. The PKSC was formed primarily to ensure full disclosure of ingredients, MSDS compliance and the education of salon professionals on safe and proper use of these products. While consumer watch groups and the press often make claims of irresponsible and unsafe practices by manufacturers in the personal care products industry, this Council is calling for regulations and standards that surpass government requirements. We believe it is time to be sure that accurate information is being gathered, evaluated and communicated in order for salon professionals and consumers to make informed decisions about safety”.

 You can read the violations these company’s have sustained from OSHA so who is Bullshitting Who!

An article on BEHIND THE CHAR.COM in this article the PKSC claims they are “Consistent with the organization’s principles, the PKSC has undertaken an extensive scientific research and testing program to positively demonstrate that the products of its members meet or exceed the safety requirements established by regulatory agencies. This Program accurately measured the safety levels of PKSC member products by using advanced and state-of-the-art product testing methods, as opposed to the antiquated testing methods traditionally used for several decades. The results clearly document the safety of PKSC members’ products when used under normal conditions (as per manufacturers’ directions).” Please read the violations by the  ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSIONAL SMOOTHING COUNCEL From OSHA SUBMITTED TO THEM IN 2011.

 

During Federal OSHA investigations, air tests showed formaldehyde at levels above OSHA’s limits in salons using Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, labeled “formaldehyde free,” and Brasil Cacau Cadiveu. Both Federal and State OSHA have found violations at several manufacturers, importers, and distributors (GIB LLC dba Brazilian Blowout, Keratronics Inc., Pro Skin Solutions, M&M International Inc., Copomon, INOVA Professional). The violations include failing to list formaldehyde as a hazardous ingredient on the MSDS (the hazard warning sheet) provided to downstream users (e.g., salon owners, stylists), failing to include proper hazard warnings on product labels, and failing to list the health effects of formaldehyde exposure on the MSDS. Labels must include ingredient and hazard warning information and the MSDS must provide users with information about the chemicals in a product, the hazards to workers, and how to use a product safely. And by the way the CIR is not a governmental agency they are a Non Profit Organization that has nothing to do with what the FDA, or OSHA.

No go to the PKSC ACTIVE MEMBERS LIST Now you will see what I am saying to you, this is a band of brothers who will deceive you with a coalition of so-called professional industry reports, industry websites, and manufacturers who will band together to sell, sell, sell. Saying they are for your well-being when they are NOT! It is all about helping one another get to the next level in the Beauty Industry, wether it be for financial, ego, etc the harm and deception is being done everyday within your industry. Proper ventilation should be a requirement in every salon, MSDS Sheets should be provided by every manufacturer but they are not. Sitting in a classroom and listening to the manufacturer saying their product is SAFE. Is not good wisdom takin by the stylist, or salon owner. Do your own chemical investigations with a chemist OUTSIDE OF THE INDUSTRY. Go to your local state college they will do all forms of test to let you know what ingredients are in your products. And most of the state colleges will do it for free for you. In this industry they are not concerned about your health, nor are they concerned about the consumer thats a whole story in itself. Manufacturers are only interested in the health of the bank accounts and there labels. This is a kiss of death to our industry!

 

 

 

Become a Entrepreneur!

~ Joseph Kellner

In a profession that is product driven, a lot of Entrepreneurs are being driven to promote their product within the beauty industry by themselves. I have an Organization for Entrepreneurs of the Professional Beauty industry I see a lot of Ambitious, Persistent Professionals who are trying to promote themselves and there ideas and products. But they fall on the wayside by not having the business knowledge needed to succeed in a Manufacturer driven and controlled industry.  The entrepreneur has to learn to do it all by themselves with little or now help or financial funding for staff.

If you look  the Beauty industry magazines and websites it a catalog of the same manufacturers who are at the Premiere Beauty Shows, NAHA, Behindthechair.com, Hairbrained, etc. And supporting these company’s are a major waste within the industry. Salons carry products from manufacturers that are sold over the counter, and also on the internet. SUPPORT THE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE Industry!

I have a section in my next documentary called Health/Welfare and I found Five company’s selling their Smoothing Treatments that you do and sell as a service in the salon to the consumer. Check out STYLEBELL.COM

And isn’t that offered as a SALON SERVICE given by a professional. Manufacturers want to cover any and all ends of sales for just financial achievement in the industry. While the Entrepreneur has the hardest time trying to pay for Hair Show space, Booths, Magazine advertisements and the list goes on and on. These price ranges in Beauty Industry Magazines, Hair Shows, Websites are set up for the Manufacturer Dollar, that is what sustains these entity’s, while in the long run all you will see is the advertising of hair care lines that are sold in the commercial sector. Which is causing the most harm to the salon owner, and booth renter. Supporting a company that is independent, or an Entrepreneur is the most important decision a professional can do NOW in my Beauty Industry.

You have spent the time building up these manufacturers and now their loyalty is not longer there for you. But you will still find a way to support the hairshows, magazines, websites that will advertise them and the entrepreneur goes to the wayside. Hairshows used to be a venue for all NEW in the industry to show off their products, books, etc but now they are just FLEA MARKETS, But you will still go to these shows. And you buy there WARES. Knowing full well you are losing on the Salon Retail space you may have set up in your salon. And that is true but you don’t want to face the facts. And Where does the Entrepreneur come in, with those type of prices in an industry magazine or website an only a major manufacturer can pay. But you will still support them!

I carry a hair care line in my salon, it is from an Entrepreneur, and I also featured him and his line in my next documentary. He promotes the line on the Internet, Magazines (Outside the Industry) and a few more advertising avenues. But talking to him he has the funds to sustain the company but not for the unfair prices that only a manufacturer can pay for advertising in this industry. Can a entrepreneur in the industry call a local beauty supply and have there product sold to the professional/ NO Loreal owns the Salon Centrics and Salon Alliance distributorships and if you called these supply chains do you think Loreal will place your product in the stores? Or how about Malys?

Manufacturers will buy Private label products created by a entrepreneur within the industry to keep competition away. I have also interviewed professionals in the industry to tell me Manufacturers have stolen there formulations of their product or paid off chemists for the formula’s. That is a big business in my industry. The beauty industry professional has to see the light of day and support the entrepreneur within the industry, Beauty schools that are manufacturer supported such as Paul Mitchell, Redken, Loreal , Toni&Guy are merely putting free salesmen and saleswoman to keep up the sales for themselves. You are giving you sponsorship to the wrong entity’s.  I have received thousands of emails from people in my industry saying enough is enough, but when does you’re talking end and action start. You see in america now the people are talking out now, Occupy groups, Tea Party organizations etc, showing up all over the United States. But as time goes along the professional in my industry would probably gain enough strength to just click on the “Like” button on Facebook to show there support. And not take the initiative to start their own campaigns of change in their industry. Well life goes on and sooner or latter you will come to realize that when you go to Salon Alliance or Salon Centrex you are merely buying LOREAL products that are sold over the counter. And in time that niche in the market will be totally bought out. THEN WHAT ARE YOUR GOING TO DO?????

Become a Entrepreneur!!!

Formaldehyde unsafe as used in hair straighteners, CIR Says!

~ Joseph Kellner

After months of polemics over the safety of hair straighteners containing high concentrations of formaldehyde, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR), classified formaldehyde and methylene glycol as “unsafe under present conditions of use” in these products.

The CIR Expert Panel gathers scientists, dermatologists, pharmacologists and toxicologists, under the aegis of the U.S. Personal Care Products Council, with the mission to independently and scientifically assess the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in the U.S. The Panel assessed the safety of formaldehyde and methylene glycol at the request of FDA, The Real Hair Truth, and the Personal Care Products Council  after a succession of safety alerts regarding hair straightening treatments with high formaldehyde levels.

The Expert Panel noted that the safety of methylene glycol and formaldehyde in hair straightening products depends on a number of factors, including the concentration of formaldehyde and methylene glycol, the amount of product applied, the temperature used during the application process, and the ventilation provided at the point of use. The Panel concluded that under present practices of use and concentration, formaldehyde and methylene glycol are unsafe in hair straightening products. “In no case should the formalin [1] concentration exceed 0.2% (w/w), which would be 0.074% (w/w) calculated as formaldehyde or 0.118% (w/w) calculated as methylene glycol,” said the CIR.

“CIR reached its conclusion after a comprehensive review of the available safety data and information and a robust discussion of this difficult and complex issue. We support the panel’s findings,” said Jay Ansell, Council scientist and vice president of cosmetic programs at the Personal Care Products Council.

The panel also concluded that formaldehyde and methylene glycol are safe for use as a preservative in cosmetics at minimal effective concentration levels and that do not exceed established limits and are safe in nail hardening products in the present practices of use and concentration (1 – 2%). However, the Panel did note that “the present practices of use of nail hardeners do include instructions that admonish users to limit application of the material to the nail, allow it to dry fully, and to not get the material on the skin.”

It is now up to the FDA to decide whether or not to restrict the use of these substances in cosmetic products placed on the US market.