Shampoo Causing Hair Loss?

 Posted on December 16, 2015 in General

By Robert Geimer

If you’re a channel-flipper you may have run across infomercials for Wen shampoo, touting a unique formula “that cleanses hair thoroughly without lather or harsh sulfates found in some ordinary shampoos.”  Celebrities including Brooke Shields and Angie Harmon have endorsed the product, and it is promoted by marketing firm Guthy-Renker, famous for Tony Robbins and other infomercials.  Unfortunately, this “unique” shampoo makes your hair fall out, at least according to a complaint filed by more than 200 consumers in 40 states.  In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of California (link), which is itself unique as the pleading document contains pictures of consumers with chunks of hair missing, consumers allege that Wen shampoo contains harsh ingredients that cause hair loss, and further allege that the manufacturer knew about consumers’ complaints but refused to do anything about them.  As we wait to see the outcome of this litigation, it is important to remember to be a diligent consumer and be appropriately skeptical of slick marketing campaigns.