Removatron International (WARNING!)

Removatron is a brand of electric tweezer epilator that should be avoided by all consumers. Although it was marketed for decades under several names, Removatron has never adequately substantiated repeated claims of permanent hair removal. Consumers spent tens of millions of dollars on the device (and treatments with it) since Removatron first came on the market. The Federal Trade Commission brought a case against Removatron that became a landmark case in laws governing deceptive marketing practices.

Former contact information

 103 Broad St., Boston, MA 02110
 617-426-0636
 removatron.com
 info@removatron.com
 Key figure: Frederick E. Goodman (sometimes spelled Frederic)

Available devices

Removatron

Notes

Published medical literature ( Verdich, 1984) indicates the device results in temporary hair removal.

In 1985, the US Federal Trade Commission brought charges against Removatron in a landmark case. (Removatron Int’l Corp., v. FTC, 111 FTC.206, 298, aff’d, 884 F.2d 1489 (1st Cir. 1989)) FTC found that Removatron did not substantiate claims of permanent hair removal and ordered them to cease and desist promoting the device as permanent.

In 1990, Removatron commissioned a study of Removatron efficacy This unpublished report followed up on 13 women for 3 months after final treatment ( Konnikov, 1990). Despite this small sample size and brief follow-up, Dr. Konnikov concluded that “46% of facial hairs treated with the Removatron device can be considered with reasonable medical certainty to have been permanently removed.”

In 1998, the US Food and Drug Administration reviewed Dr. Konnikov’s unpublished report and declared in a Final Rule that her report was “only suggestive of effectiveness in permanently removing hair.” Based on this analysis, FDA agreed that “there is no body of significant information establishing the effectiveness of the device to permanently remove hair.”

As of this update, Removatron is still stating in promotional materials that a “study conducted by world-renown Tufts Medical University [sic]” backs their claims of “permanent.”

Two federal agencies and a published clinical study suggest otherwise.

References

Federal Trade Commission’s Final Order (1998, 116-page PDF)

111 F.T.C Complaint
IN THE MATTER OF REMOVATRON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, ET AL.
FINAL ORDER, OPINION, ETC., IN REGARD TO ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SECS. 5 & 12 OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT
Docket 9200. Complaint, Sept. 30, 1985-Final Order , Nov. 4, 1988

Establishment Registration Number:1219299
Owner/Operator Number: 1219299
Official Correspondent Firm:
SKIN-SATION UNLIMITED CORP.
Establishment Status: Active
Date of Registration Status: 10/31/78
Date Initial Registration Received: 10/31/78
Official Correspondent Name: MR. FREDERICK GOODMAN

Orbitrex International Inc
Removatron International Corp
65 East India Row
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-367-8703
Phone: 646-345-8428
Web: orbitrex.com

Renesco International Inc
65 East India Row
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-367-8703
Web: orbitrex.com

Source: removatron.com/history.htm

Brunswick Beacon Thursday, March 16, 1989, page 2-B

Daily Iowan, Wednesday, September 8, 1982, page 2A

Sanibel Islander, Tuesday, October 12, 1982, page 8B

Cass City Chronicle, Thursday, December 1, 1983, page 2