A hair product has been recalled across the UK after authorities found it poses a 'serious chemical risk'. The Nov’Max Anti Volume Keratin Hair Treatment was flagged by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) for containing formaldehyde, a substance prohibited in cosmetics.
The product, with barcode 7898675094584 and LOT number 03062025, fails to meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. Customers who have purchased the treatment are urged to stop using it immediately and contact the distributor for a refund.
Formaldehyde is a colourless, corrosive gas with a pungent odour. According to the UK government, inhalation can irritate the nose, mouth and throat, and in severe cases cause respiratory distress and swelling of the larynx and lungs. Skin contact may lead to irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, blisters and hives.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen. Long-term exposure has been linked to nasal tumours and leukaemia in industrial workers, though short-term exposure is considered less risky.
