CASE acts on complaints against hair care centers

SINGAPORE :

The Consumers Association of Singapore says it has received 17 complaints against hair care centres in the first half of this year.

The majority concern treatments that do not work.

CASE has informed consumers that the best recourse is to seek advice from medical professionals.

To help raise awareness about hair loss and the treatments available, CASE is conducting a public forum on August 6 at the SPRING Singapore Auditorium at Bukit Merah Central.

Consultant dermatologist and immediate past president of the Dermatological Society of Singapore, Dr Cheong Wai Kwong, explained that there are many factors affecting hair loss.

A doctor would be the best person to assess the condition and recommend the treatment that would work best for an individual.

The Dermatological Society recently launched a campaign called "HeadStart" targeting men with male pattern hair loss to encourage them to see their doctor.

It has also set up a Hair Line at 1800 3383838 for those who want to learn more about male pattern hair loss.

CASE added that from January to June this year, 13 hair advertisements were found to be in breach of advertising guidelines, nearly double the number last year.

Seven were advertisements by hair care centres.

The guidelines, which took effect at the beginning of this year, are to deter hair centres and hair product retailers from making claims that are not medically proven.

They require all advertisements on hair and scalp products to incorporate a clause stating that there is no scientific proof that any product, except certain registered medicinal products, or service can retard hair loss or promote hair growth.

CASE's executive director Seah Seng Choon says many of the advertisements continue to claim treatment efficacy which are not backed by medical scientific evidence.

The result is that consumers, misled by these claims, will be disappointed when they do not see results.