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USN, Herbex, Antagolin, Solal and Vigro (Nativa) go to court to block ASA

Posted 06 October 2015

This article, below, published in Times Live, draws attention to Vigro (a Natura product) trying to prevent arbitration on whether the claims that the product can regrow hair was supported by adequate evidence. The ASA ruled against the claims, and following an appeal by Natura, was referred for arbitration to Prof Nonhlanhla Khumalo, head of the Department of Dermatology, University of Cape Town.

The article also highlights USN’s High Court Action against Dr Harris Steinman. USN alleges that Steinman had defamed them. Steinman is defending the action. More than 40 complaints have been laid against USN with the ASA.

… Read the rest
October 6th, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: ASA (SA) Rulings, Solal | One comment

Vigro – ASA agrees, no evidence it works!

Posted 10 October 2013

Consumers have a right to expect reasonable proof that a product delivers on its claims.

Natura, the maker of “famous” homeopathic remedies, purchased the Vigro product from PSN Brands, and ignoring the previous ASA ruling which found that Vigro was only beneficial for a very specific form of hair loss, started advertising that it was effective for all hair loss (makes one wonder about their ethics). A request that we made to the ASA for arbitration against the initial ruling, arguing that Vigro was completely ineffective, could therefore not proceed. However, it did allow a new complaint to be laid with the ASA arguing again that Vigro is ineffective for all forms of hair loss.

… Read the rest
October 11th, 2013 | Tags: , , , , | Category: ASA (SA) Rulings | Leave a comment

Vigro – Dr Nye’s substantiation

Below is the substantiation of Dr David Nye in support of the claims for Vigro. As mentioned before, Dr Nye has “substantiated” a number of dubious products previously. Readers are welcome to read Dr Nye’s substantiation and compare with ours. Dr Nye’s substantiation, in our opinion, is typical of a number of “experts” who substantiate products – cherry pick evidence and hide that which does not fit.

… Read the rest
October 11th, 2013 | Tags: , | Category: | Leave a comment

Vigro – balderdash!

Posted 05 July 2013

The ASA has previously ruled against the claims for Vigro. We had argued that preventing or curing hair loss would be a “holy grail” and on face value, the claims are impossible. Vigro’s expert, Mr John Knowlton, argued that the science in support of Vigro’s claims are valid for individuals who are affected by a specific form of hair loss and not all forms of hairloss. The product Vigro has subsequently been sold to Natura, a manufacturer of homeopathic products, and they are now aggressively marketing this product as being effective for hair loss.

Here we examine the ingredients and the “proof” supplied by Mr Knowles and the manufacturer, and show that the evidence in favour of this product working in ANY form of hairloss, is in fact balderdash.  A new complaint has been laid with the ASA.

… Read the rest
July 5th, 2013 | Tags: , , , | Category: | 2 comments

Vigro – ASA breach ruling

Posted 28 October 2012

In May 2012 the Directorate ruled that advertising that appeared on Vigro’s website, www.vigrohair.co.za was unsubstantiated and in breach of Clause 4.1 of Section II of the Code. The advertising promoted the respondent’s “Vigro 3-step programme” as “… and effective long lasting solution for thinning hair”. To some extent, the ruling took issue with the fact that the product’s efficacy claims only apply to non-hereditary hair loss, a fact which was not clearly stipulated or conveyed to consumers.  On 12 September 2012 the complainant lodged a breach complaint against the respondent’s television commercial flighted on MNET. The ASA evaluated the complaint and Vigro’s response.

… Read the rest
October 28th, 2012 | Tags: | Category: | Leave a comment

Vigro 3-step programme . . . for pouring your money down the drain

Posted 21 May 2012

I remember as a kid, my father’s obsession with his hair-loss. I remember him spending lots of money on lots and lots of products, none which prevented further hair loss. 

Hair loss is mainly genetic. Few products have any effect on preventing further hair loss, and these assist in few specific reversible conditions.

Vigro capitalises on individuals stressed and over-anxious by hair loss, selling impossible dreams of regrowth. The advertisements claimed “Vigro 3-step programme” as “… and effective long lasting solution for thinning hair”.

In my complaint I argued that this was rubbish and impossible: ” As thinning hair is an emotive issue, people are likely to try this product out of desperation. Simply supplementing with the respondent’s vitamins will not work”.

The ASA asked Vigro for evidence that their claims were possible. Of course, they could not.

[note]UPDATE 11 October 2013: See new ASA … Read the rest

May 21st, 2012 | Tags: , | Category: ASA (SA) Rulings | 56 comments