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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.
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