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About the brand: Goleshlee
Goleshlee sells a number of keratin hair treatments that are available to consumers via their website. Advertised to last between three to five months after treatment, the Goleshlee Professional line minimizes the need to wash the hair daily. Testing found the Goleshlee Hair Therapy to contain between 0.61 to 5.87% formaldehyde.
Products by Goleshlee
| Product | Formaldehyde testing results | Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government | Product recalls | |
 | Goleshlee Professional - Keratin Hair Therapy | >0.6 % | 0 | France |
 | Goleshlee Professional - Cocochoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy | not tested | 9 | |
 | Goleshlee Professional - Strawberry Keratin Therapy | not tested | 9 | |
 | Goleshlee Professional - Platinum Keratin Therapy | not tested | 9 |
Formaldehyde test results
| Product | Formaldehyde Detected | Number of samples | Tested by | Date | Reference |
| Goleshlee Professional – Keratin Hair Therapy | >0.6 % | 1 | French Health Products Safety Agency (Afssaps) | 2010-12-06 | AFSSAPS 2010 |
COMPANY STATEMENTS ON FORMALDEHYDE OR ALTERNATIVES IN ITS PRODUCT(S)
"Q: Does it contain formaldehyde? A: Yes it contains 2% formaldehyde"
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 | Complaint | Date |
| "person experienced headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision" | 2010-03-12 | |
| "complete hair loss over time" | 2009-01-15 | |
| "Loss of hair around her temple and patches within her hair." | 2010-04-14 | |
| "Experienced severe scalp burning, extreme baldness and hair loss." | 2010-08-13 | |
| "After I had thermal hair straightening at XXX in XXX I begun to Feel headache afterward and the result didn't come out to be successful." | 2008-12-03 | |
| "After the final rinse, I procveeded comb my hair. There was so much hair on the comb and on the floor, I could not believe my eyees. And avery day since, whenever I comb my hair, and more hair is falling out. | 2008-11-12 | |
| "Upon rinsing relaxer out, ? My hair fell out, and there were bald spots in the middle of my head. I experienced extreme itching, scalp irritation irritation, and had some itiching." | 2009-03-19 | |
| "Immediate effects: burning of scalp, exposed skin, eyes, nose, throat and chest, headache, tightness feeling to chest like bronchial irritation" | 2010-10-22 | |
| "Has experienced losing her voice, lung irritation, throat irritation, sinus irritation, skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness" | 2010-11-05 | |
| "person experienced headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision" | 2010-03-12 | |
| "complete hair loss over time" | 2009-01-15 | |
| "Loss of hair around her temple and patches within her hair." | 2010-04-14 | |
| "Experienced severe scalp burning, extreme baldness and hair loss." | 2010-08-13 | |
| "After I had thermal hair straightening at XXX in XXX I begun to Feel headache afterward and the result didn't come out to be successful." | 2008-12-03 | |
| "After the final rinse, I procveeded comb my hair. There was so much hair on the comb and on the floor, I could not believe my eyees. And avery day since, whenever I comb my hair, and more hair is falling out. | 2008-11-12 | |
| "Upon rinsing relaxer out, ? My hair fell out, and there were bald spots in the middle of my head. I experienced extreme itching, scalp irritation irritation, and had some itiching." | 2009-03-19 | |
| "Immediate effects: burning of scalp, exposed skin, eyes, nose, throat and chest, headache, tightness feeling to chest like bronchial irritation" | 2010-10-22 | |
| "Has experienced losing her voice, lung irritation, throat irritation, sinus irritation, skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness" | 2010-11-05 | |
| "person experienced headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision" | 2010-03-12 | |
| "complete hair loss over time" | 2009-01-15 | |
| "Loss of hair around her temple and patches within her hair." | 2010-04-14 | |
| "Experienced severe scalp burning, extreme baldness and hair loss." | 2010-08-13 | |
| "After I had thermal hair straightening at XXX in XXX I begun to Feel headache afterward and the result didn't come out to be successful." | 2008-12-03 | |
| "After the final rinse, I procveeded comb my hair. There was so much hair on the comb and on the floor, I could not believe my eyees. And avery day since, whenever I comb my hair, and more hair is falling out. | 2008-11-12 | |
| "Upon rinsing relaxer out, ? My hair fell out, and there were bald spots in the middle of my head. I experienced extreme itching, scalp irritation irritation, and had some itiching." | 2009-03-19 | |
| "Immediate effects: burning of scalp, exposed skin, eyes, nose, throat and chest, headache, tightness feeling to chest like bronchial irritation" | 2010-10-22 | |
| "Has experienced losing her voice, lung irritation, throat irritation, sinus irritation, skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness" | 2010-11-05 |
PRODUCT RECALLS
Since 2009, health and consumer product agencies in 6 countries have announced recalls of hair straighteners with high amounts of formaldehyde.
| Product | Australia | Canada | Cyprus | France | Germany | Ireland |
| Goleshlee Professional - Keratin Hair Therapy | - | - | - | 2010-12-27 | - | - |
| Goleshlee Professional - Cocochoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Goleshlee Professional - Strawberry Keratin Therapy | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Goleshlee Professional - Platinum Keratin Therapy | - | - | - | - | - | - |
WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS ABOUT HOW THEIR PRODUCT WORKS
How it Works Developed in Brazil in early 2000 Keratin is a natural protein in hair, skin, and nails. Keratin, Silicon, Quarantine, Poliqnaternium, and Collagen, protects the hair against extreme aggression such as pollution, humidity, UV, and salt water. Traditional hair smoothing products change the molecular structure of the hair and cuts the bridges dysulfure; which is responsible for causing brittleness, dehydration, and curling of the hair. The keratin treatment strengthens the hair, making it smooth and shiny, as well as providing protection and hydration to the hair. With Goleshlee Professional's CocoChoco Keratin Hair Therapy and Strawberry Keratin Hair Therapy, the hair suffers less damage from aggression, producing aesthetic results and keeping its structure next to the original composition of the hair; with more of a pure natural aspect. [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 Goleshlee products are listed below:
Goleshlee - Goleshlee Professional - Keratin Hair Therapy
"GOLESHLEE KERATIN THERAPY® SYSTEM is targeted to treat, straighten, and improve the manageability of various types of hair: naturally curly but frizzy hair, dehydrated, damaged, and coarse hair, and hair that is lacking in vitality. GKT is not just a hair straightening system. It is entirely different from any other product available on the market place. It is designed to treat the hair from inner core, out. GKT treated hair is full of vitality and strength. In some types of hair, simple, speedy, domestic blow drying after washing is all that is needed to maintain the hairstyle. Perfect for any bad hair day! Goleshlee Keratin treated hair looks healthy, shinny and silky smooth, in comparison to the hair straightened by any other treatments. This unique selling point empowers Goleshlee Keratin Treatment to stand out from the existing hair straightening products on the market."
- from link
Retailers: 250 from Goleshlee website (32 oz)
Goleshlee - Goleshlee Professional - Cocochoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy
"Description: The Goleshlee Professional CocoChoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy is specifically formulated to treat curly, frizzy, thick, colored, bleached, and/or naturally damaged hair. This treatment will reinforce the inner hair structure and restore the natural elasticity from within. It contains cacao extracts, chocolate fragrance, vitamins, collagen to reduce volume, increase the brightness and smooth the hair. Composition: AQUA, CETYL ALCOHOL, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, HYDROLIZED COLLAGEN, HYDROLIZED HAIR KERATIN, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, MINERAL OIL, FRAGRANCE, MICA, CITRIC ACID, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONOL, THEOBROMA CACAO EXTRACT, METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE+ METHYLISOTHIZOLINONE, BRILLIAT BLUE, TARTRAZINE, PONCEAU 4R, DIMETHICONE."
- from link
Retailers: 250 from Goleshlee website (32 oz)
Goleshlee - Goleshlee Professional - Strawberry Keratin Therapy
"Description: The Goleshlee Professional Strawberry Keratin Therapy is specifically formulated for damaged, bleached, curly, porous hair. Strawberries improve the texture of the hair minimizing the greasiness, encourages a healthy and more radiant complexion. Strawberries as extremely rich in vitamin C, potassium, sodium, minerals, manganese, folic acid, riboflavin, copper, omega-3 and fatty acid. They are good source of salicylic acid that removes dead cells. Strawberries help in soothing sun damages, and condition the hair while giving it rich gloss. This treatment restores shine, improves the hair fibers, keeps volume within the hair and is for sensitive and gentle hair. Composition: Cetyl Alcohol, Lanolin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Poliquaternium 7, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, CI 15510, CI 16255, Fragrance, Hydrolyzed Strawberry Fruit, Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethiconol, Aqua"
- from link
Retailers: 250 from Goleshlee website (32 oz)
Goleshlee - Goleshlee Professional - Platinum Keratin Therapy
"Description: The Goleshlee Professional CocoChoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy is specifically formulated to treat curly, frizzy, thick, colored, bleached, and/or naturally damaged hair. This treatment will reinforce the inner hair structure and restore the natural elasticity from within. It contains cacao extracts, chocolate fragrance, vitamins, collagen to reduce volume, increase the brightness and smooth the hair. Composition: AQUA, CETYL ALCOHOL, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, HYDROLIZED COLLAGEN, HYDROLIZED HAIR KERATIN, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, MINERAL OIL, FRAGRANCE, MICA, CITRIC ACID, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONOL, THEOBROMA CACAO EXTRACT, METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE+ METHYLISOTHIZOLINONE, BRILLIAT BLUE, TARTRAZINE, PONCEAU 4R, DIMETHICONE."
- from link
Retailers: 270 from Goleshlee website (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:
Goleshlee. 2011A. How it Works. Available: http://www.goleshlee.com/how.html Accessed: 2/25/2011.
Goleshlee. 2011B. Goleshlee Professional CocoChoco (Chocolate) Keratin Therapy. Available: http://www.goleshlee.com/information01.html Accessed: 2/28/2011.
Goleshlee. 2011C. Goleshlee Professional Strawberry Keratin Therapy. Available: http://www.goleshlee.com/information03.html Accessed: 2/28/2011.
Goleshlee. 2011D. Goleshlee Professional Platinum Keratin Therapy. Available: http://www.goleshlee.com/information02.html Accessed: 2/28/2011.
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.
