Disputes quality of products sold outside of salons

To the Editor,

I work at Bad Hair Day? Salon & Spa, a local hair salon, and need to tell you about a very disturbing trend that is on the rise in our community.

When you walk the aisles of many drug stores, grocery stores or super markets, you’ll find professional hair care products like Paul Mitchell and other brands on store shelves. It may seem like you’re getting a “deal” but you’re not.

The professional salon products found on shelves of mass retailers are diverted  — and they were channeled through the gray or black market.

The contents of these bottles and cans can approach or be past their maximum shelf life or spoiled. At worst, the product has been tampered with or may be counterfeit — and that could cause health problems for the user. In fact, counterfeit products tested by independent labs found harmful levels of bacteria that could potentially make the user sick enough to require medical care. (FOX News, June 2003).

Here are a few reasons why buying professional salon product is a steal — not a deal:

• Diverted product is not guaranteed — the only place consumers can confidently buy and use genuine professional hair care products is from a hair salon.
• It costs more in a drug store — diverted products pass through so many hands before hitting store shelves, they usually cost more than if you were to buy them in a hair salon. In many cases, “discounted” products can cost as much as $3 more a bottle.
If you have more questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at the number below or call the John Paul Mitchell Systems Product Control Hotline at 1-888-398-8884.

Ben Anaya
Bad Hair Day?