Recommendation for Solawave to Stop Certain Health Claims Regarding SolaWave Advanced Skincare Wand by NAD
In a recent decision, the National Advertising Division (NAD), a division of BBB National Programs, has recommended that Solawave Inc. discontinue certain claims for its SolaWave Advanced Skincare Wand. The recommendations were made following an investigation into the skincare product's advertising claims.
The NAD's inquiry focused on claims representing the product's dramatic performance benefits, such as "smooth fine lines," "fade blemishes," "increase firmness," "decrease puffiness," "boost skin's glow," and claims touting the percentage of users who observed the results.
However, NAD concluded that the "before" and "after" photographs submitted by Solawave to depict measurable improvements over the 30-day period are not sufficiently reliable and may overstate what consumers can reasonably expect. Furthermore, the 30-day in-home use test (IHUT) had methodological flaws, including the lack of a washout period and participants using anti-aging products during the study.
In response to the NAD's findings, Solawave Inc. stated that it disagrees with the decision but will comply with the recommendations. The company submitted the results of the 30-day IHUT and user-submitted before and after photos as evidence to support the challenged claims. Solawave also informed NAD that it voluntarily discontinued certain challenged claims, which will be treated, for compliance purposes, as though NAD recommended they be discontinued.
BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization that operates more than a dozen globally recognized programs, helps enhance consumer trust in business for over 50 years. It provides third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, creating a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers.
Solawave Inc. can access the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions through a subscription to the online archive, and the case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library on BBB National Programs' website. For those seeking specific information on regulatory actions or investigations related to Solawave Inc., it is recommended to check the NAD's official website for case reports, look for press releases or statements from Solawave Inc. regarding any changes to their product claims, or consult legal or business news outlets for updates on such investigations.
- The NAD's focus on Solawave's skincare product's advertising claims raised questions about data privacy, as the investigation involved user-submitted before and after photos for assessment.
- In the debate over credible health-and-wellness claims, the science community questions the reliability of Solawave's skincare product's 'before' and 'after' photographs and 30-day in-home use test (IHUT), citing methodological flaws, including the lack of a washout period and participants using anti-aging products during the study.
