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The FDA has launched an investigation into the hair care products from maker WEN by Chaz Dean following a concerning number of adverse event reports submitted to the agency.
The FDA website states, “As of July 7, 2016, the FDA had received 127 adverse event reports directly from consumers about WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products, the largest number of reports ever associated with any cosmetic hair cleansing product, including cleansing conditioners.”
In addition to the adverse events reported to the FDA directly, there are many more adverse effects that are also being investigated that have been reported directly to Chaz Dean Inc. and Guthy Renker, LLC, the companies responsible for the manufacture of the products.
“FDA is also investigating more than 21,000 complaints reported directly to Chaz Dean, Inc. and Guthy Renker, LLC that FDA learned of during inspections of manufacturing and distribution facilities,” the FDA reports.
WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products became immensely popular following their introduction on infomercials and endorsements by celebrities. The product is advertised as natural and Chaz Dean said he was inspired by the herbs in his garden when formulating the products.
Consumers have reported a variety of issues after using WEN by Chaz Dean hair care products. The most commonly reported reaction is hair loss following product use.
Women, men and children using the product detailed countless stories about how they used the product expecting improvements in the health of their hair, only to find that they began losing their hair in large quantities.
Other commonly reported reactions included breakage of hair, bald spots, chemical burns, rash, and itching.
A number of individual and class action lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of WEN by Chaz Dean alleging that the hair care products caused serious damage. One such lawsuit includes more than 200 former WEN users who say they have lost one-quarter to one-third of their hair following the use of the hair products.
One woman in the large class action lawsuit said after using the products, her hair began to come out by the handful as she was taking a shower.
Another woman said she used the product on her daughter for two years, and at the current age of five, she had developed bald spots on her head. Following testing by a family doctor and dermatologist, testing for the little girl came back negative and they were unable to determine the cause of the baldness.
The mother then read that some users were reporting baldness using WEN products online and stopped using the products on her daughter, hoping that her hair growth would return.
The allegations in the lawsuits claim that the manufacturer knew about the complaints of adverse events, yet continued to sell the product and refused to take any corrective action.
Following the class action lawsuits and adverse reports, WEN issued a statement saying, “With well over 10 million WEN products shipped since 2008, our customers’ overwhelmingly positive response to WEN is a testament to the benefits it can deliver for its users. These benefits are reflected in consistently high rankings from independent consumer product sites as well.”
The company also stated, “There is no scientific evidence to support any claim that out hair care products caused anyone to lose their hair. There are many reasons why individuals may lose their hair, all unrelated to WEN. We intend to vigorously contest the allegations made.”
The FDA is seeking help from consumers as they proceed with their investigation. Consumers who have experienced adverse events as a result of using WEN by Chaz Dean products are encouraged to file a report directly with the FDA and may do so though their MedWatch reporting website.
UPDATE: The WEN Hair Care Products Class Action Settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim.
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39 thoughts onFDA Launches Investigation into WEN by Chaz Dean Hair Products
I used it and my hair come out it really short .the only thing I can do is to just brush it back.I have patch on the side where it came out.
I used Wen and I had my hair fall out I had bald spots on my scalp I have recently stopped using it and my hair is growing back out .
I used this product for 5 months. Hair dried out and clumps of hair fell out while in the shower. Lost half of my hair thickness. It was horrible.
I tried there Wen Product, and then I cancelled, but I had to keep fighting for cancellation. I finally got it, and received some letter from Chat himself stating I could call for the Product anytime.
But, I won’t, because they didn’t send me the Product I ordered, and anyhow the Wen Product left my hair dryer, like straw.
You don’t know know his name is Chad, despite how many times it’s mentioned in the article?
bruiser, it neither chat nor chad, like you said….its chaz. see? you make errors too.
Wen maded my hair fall. Out. And begin to change the color. Went I contact them they told me to send a picture. And I did. The lady told me that dont look like my hair. Because I have a better texture of hair than most black …I still have my hair that fell out if you would like a picture of it…
I used Wen for 3 months and my hair began falling out by the handfuls in the shower causing my drawing to clog up. There was hair all over my house too! I’ve never had any product cause a loss like this so quickly and I’m 54 years old!
Burned my scalp, dried hair out and causeD hair loss due to breakage.
I tried this and my hair became like straw. So dried out and handfuls of hair in the shower. Plus when you try to cancel, they just keep sending stuff and billing you. Took me 5 months to get them to stop.
I used it for about 9 months and my hair will not get any longer. I have had issues with it being dried out and I feel as if it has changed the balance of my hair and scalp. Not happy with it at all.
i used this wen and it felt like a chemical burn on my head i dont know whats in it but it burned and itched
I used it for 5 years. I’m a guy and I constantly get comments on how great my hair looks. No hair loss. To save money I’ve recently switched to Herbal Essence’s cleansing conditioner and I like it even more. But, in WEN’s defense, other than the high price I thought it was an excellent product. I am suspicious of these claims. And keep in mind 200 complaints when they’ve sold over 10 million units is such a tiny percentage that it’s unlikely that WEN caused the baldness or irritation. Probably due to some other agent.
bruiser, the 200+ figure is the number of plaintiffs so far in one lawsuit….read further where it says they investigated and found twenty one thousand, 21.000, additional complaints sent to guthy renker the wen company that they didnt know about before investigating. thats why they are asking all consumers now so send their stories to the agency investigating, not the hair product company.
I love the product as well. I had heard rumors about this however I have used for several years and no problems :)
I agree. Like anything! if you have an adverse reaction…Quit Using!! i.e. Don’t take away my Penicillin just because you can’t use it!!