INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

WEN Reviews: FDA Issues Warning Following Numerous Cleansing Conditioner Complaints

By Effie Orfanides
Published on: 05:47 PST, Jul 29, 2016

Several negative WEN reviews have caused the FDA to launch an investigation, and a warning has now been issued. After a couple of years of hearing serious complaints about Chaz Dean’s cleansing conditioners (sold on QVC and in stores), the FDA has decided to issue a safety alert to consumers.

Over one hundred unhappy WEN customers have complained to the FDA about “hair loss, hair breakage, balding, itching, and rash” after using Chaz Dean’s products, according to New York Magazine. It is believed that thousands of other people have complained directly to Dean’s company.

What some call appropriate action is now being taken.

“As of December, more than 200 women in 40 states had joined a class-action lawsuit against Wen, alleging that the sulfate-free cleansing conditioner caused severe damage to their hair. Dermatologists interviewed by NPR pointed out that people can have allergic reactions to ingredients like surfactants and preservatives — allergy tests can identify these problems — and it’s possible that some might be suffering from unrelated conditions like alopecia areata or male- or female-pattern baldness,” reports New York Magazine.

WEN reviews tend to vary, and if you search the internet for them, you will read the good, the bad, and the ugly. For the most part, people seem really happy with the products that they purchase. Many WEN reviews state the customer experienced a wonderfully clean wash, that their hair is less greasy, and that their hair is thick and voluminous after directed use. However, there are other reviews that are downright alarming.

Several customers have complained that they’ve experienced significant hair loss after using WEN haircare products. Many speak of clogging the drain with insane amounts of hair, noticing bald spots, and experiencing overall negative reactions to the products. Through the negativity, however, QVC and other retailers have decided to continue to promote and sell WEN haircare products.

The WEN reviews and customer complaints have led to a lawsuit. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, over 200 people are involved in the lawsuit filed against Chaz Dean and the marketing company, Guthy-Renker. The lawsuit alleges that the company does not warn customers of any potential dangers or adverse reactions and that the company has deleted negative comments online to hide said dangers. The lawsuit also claims that WEN contains “numerous harsh chemicals and known human allergens” and that the company isn’t forthcoming about their formulas.

Shortly after the FDA’s decision to issue a safety warning about WEN haircare products, Chaz Dean’s company released the following statement.

“The Wen by Chaz Dean family cares deeply about everyone’s hair health. We encourage people who inquire about any hair issues to seek qualified medical assistance because it is a complex topic.

“WEN® by Chaz Dean is safe, and millions of bottles have been sold over the last 16 years. We have consistently cooperated with the FDA and will continue to do so. We love our brand and our customers.

“Through this experience, we have learned that there is an immediate need for more education about hair health and common hair concerns in the industry, unrelated to Wen. There is no evidence that WEN products cause hair loss and the ingredients and formulations meet or exceed safety and quality standards set by the cosmetics industry. We stand behind them.”

Have you used WEN? Do you think this lawsuit and subsequent FDA advisory will cause retailers to pull WEN from the market? Would you use WEN haircare products after hearing about what hundreds of unsatisfied customers have gone through? Sound off in the comments below.

[Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images]

Share this article: WEN Reviews: FDA Issues Warning Following Numerous Cleansing Conditioner Complaints
More from Inquisitr