About the brand: Marcia Teixeira - M & M International

Marcia Teixeira products are advertised as gentle and natural without the use of strong chemicals and the treatment is claimed to leave the hair soft and frizz free for up to 16 weeks. Test results by 7 organizations show formaldehyde levels of 1.4-3.4% and the products have been recalled in Canada, Cyprus, France and Ireland. EWG found the products readily available for purchase online.

Products by Marcia Teixeira - M & M International

	Product	Formaldehyde testing results	Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government	Product recalls
	unspecified	1.41 %	0
	Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment	1.7 %	0	Canada
	Brazilian Keratin Treatment	>0.2 - 3.4 %	1	Ireland, Canada, Cyprus
	Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment	>0.6 - 2.2 %	0	Canada, France, Cyprus

Formaldehyde test results

COMPANY STATEMENTS ON FORMALDEHYDE OR ALTERNATIVES IN ITS PRODUCT(S)

statment on January 14, 2011

" "…Marcia Teixeira….spent…several years studying these systems and working with experts to perfecta new type of hair treatment formula, one that would be both safe and highly effective. As you will learn, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment™ is neither a traditional relaxer nor a straightener that can only be used on certain types of hair. In fact, there’s nothing traditional about this new type of service. It does not involve a harsh, chemical treatment process that can over process hair and leave it in poor condition. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment™ is a universal product and can be used safely on just about any type of hair… "

statment on October 1, 2010

"Methylene glycol, which does not appear on the FDA’s official list of prohibited cosmetic ingredients, is the ingredient in our treatments that will produce a trace level of formaldehyde vapor when high heat is applied. For that reason, we can state that formaldehyde is not an ingredient in our treatments, but, we cannot, and have never claimed that they are formaldehyde free. "

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

How Does It Work? When it comes to keratin, it's extreme toughness is the key. Keratin's durability and strength protect and improve the hair both inside and out. Our unique biopolymer ingredient is virtually a "liquid form of hair" that gently blends with the hair on your head to help restore what has been lost over time and through environmental stresses. What's the unique benefit to this ingredient? The small size of the Keratin Biopolymer molecules penetrate under the hair's cuticle and seep into the inner hair shaft, helping to improve the quality of the hair from the inside. The Keratin fills in the gaps between the cuticle and the inner hair shaft and becomes sealed into the hair's inner structure by the high heat flat iron. As you will soon learn, the Keratin Biopolymer works with other ingredients in the product to help eliminate the frizz and add strength and elasticity. [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 Marcia Teixeira - M & M International products are listed below:

Marcia - unspecified

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Marcia Teixeira - M & M International - Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment

"This product is for Licensed Professionals ONLY. This product is none refundable. Marcia Teixeira Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment 16oz Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment puts ARTISTRY into your professional hands and achieves the amazing results your priceless clients insist on!!! Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment is the next phenomenon in healthy, fabulous hair!!! It is the same high quality, safe product you have come to know since using the original Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment, but with a twist. For your clients who can't wait 3 or 4 days, with Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment, clients can have the treatment and rinse their hair all in the same day. MADE IN USA."
- from link

Retailers: 260 from Amazon 4 sellers (not Amazon); Big Deal Beauty retailer fulfilled by Amazon.com, 219.95 from brightonbeautysupply.com

Marcia Teixeira - M & M International - Brazilian Keratin Treatment

"This product is for Licensed Professionals ONLY. This product is none refundable. Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment 32oz. Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment is revolutionary treatment for all kinds of hair. It is an intense treatment that softens, smooths, and leaves the hair shiny and manageable. Ingredients: Water, Keratin, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Formalin, Amodimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane & Dimethicone, Fragrance. Made in USA."
- from link

Retailers: $589 liter from SleekHair, 500.65 from Beauty-Mart

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Marcia Teixeira - M & M International - Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment

"This product is for Licensed Professionals ONLY. This product is none refundable. Marcia Teixeira Brazilian CHOCOLATE Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment 32oz. is specially formulated to add back the amino acids that chemicals remove from the hair, and to equalize the level of keratin in the cuticle of the hair. Cocoa butter is the most stable, highly concentrated natural moisturizer known and it contains natural antioxidants as well. Your hair will be frizz-free, shiny and easy to style."
- from link

Retailers: 449 from brightonbeautysupply.com (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:

Marcia Teixeira. 2010. Response to Recent Resports Concerning Formaldehyde in Various Brands of Keratin Based Hair Straightening Products. 10/1/2010. http://braziliankeratin.com/blog/content/uploads/2010/10/BKT_WebPost_Oct_1_2010_R.pdf Accessed: 2/25/2011.

Marcia Teixeira. 2011. Marcia Teixeira. Available: http://www.braziliankeratin.com/new/en/home.html Accessed: 2/25/2011.

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.