Garnier Fructis
Flickr/Rocpoc

A popular hair care product may be flammable, according to two lawsuits that allege ingredients found in Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti Frizz Serum are flammable and the manufacturers did not provide adequate warning.

The lawsuits were filed against L'Oreal, the parent company of Garnier, reports WMC-TV. A class action lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles while a seperate lawsuit was filed in Arkansas by Jasmine Davis. There are warnings that some hair products should not be used near an open flame, any product using aerosol for example, but the lawsuits allege that there are no warnings that two ingredients in the hair product are flammable and consumers should take extra caution near open flames.

The class action lawsuit alleges that Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti Frizz Serum will ignite at temperatures above 171 degrees which could lead to severe burns to the face, head and neck regions, reports WMC-TV. According to Grace Tersigni, attorney at Kamber Law, LLC, there was no proper flammability warning on the hair care product.

In the WMC-TV segment, the hair care product was sprayed on a wig made of human hair. Holding a lighter to it, the reporter, Anna Marie Hartman, had to back away immediately as flames soon engulfed the wig. Hair stylist Cyndi Jo Hartley, speaking to Hartman, said most of her equipment started at a temperature of 200 degrees.

While that was just a demonstration, the lawsuit filed by Davis is all too real. In the lawsuit, Davis, from West Helena, AK, suffered third degree burns after using the hair product. Davis had heated a straightening comb over her stove and when she applied the comb to her treated hair, she was engulfed in flames. The 13-year-old suffered third degree burns to her head, neck and arms and claims she was permanently disfigured by the hair product.

Davis' lawsuit was filed recently while the class action lawsuit was filed in May. L'Oreal has made no comment about either lawsuit.