introduction

This consent form (“Consent”) reviews the benefits, risks and limitations of you, as the person who has created a user account (referred to as “you” or “your”), utilizing the Services provided by Strands Hair Care, Inc. (referred to as “Strands”, “we”, “us” or “our”). It also explains how your information and sample(s) will be used after performance of the Services. Your sample(s) will not be processed unless you confirm that you have read and understood the contents of this form.

By clicking on the box, you indicate that this Consent is a binding agreement and that you have read and understood the following terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Consent have the meaning given to them in our other policies.

By clicking your acceptance, you have chosen to use our Services and have given your informed consent to have your hair sample(s) tested. Hair samples are intended to be analyzed for the individual’s sole use, and not for any other purpose, including but not limited to research, publications, commercial uses, or any other purpose other than to inform the purchaser’s hair condition, texture and to develop customized hair products.

Voluntary Participation

Our Services are offered and available to users who are 18 years of age or older and are residents of the United States. Your use of Strands’ Services is voluntary. It is your choice whether to utilize our Services or not. Prior to signing this Consent, you may wish to speak with a customer service representative for further guidance about our Services.

Procedures and Protocol for Strands Hair Care Tests

When you create your Account, we will collect some information from you. We cannot perform the Services without collecting information from you but we will only collect information that will assist us in providing the Services that you have requested. In order for the Services to be provided as intended, you must provide accurate and correct information. Failure to provide required information or to execute required documents may result in your hair sample(s) not being tested.

The results of your test(s) will be made available to you through our Site. In the event we determine that your hair sample is not suitable for testing due to the type or amount of sample provided, we reserve the right to withhold testing and to not provide a refund.

Disposal of Hair Samples

The Company partners with a non-profit organization that uses hair clippings (and other items) to make "mats," which are used to clean oceanic oil spills. The Company sends your hair samples to this partner after we have finished analyzing them for our product purposes. By [signing this Consent/accepting this Agreement], you authorize Strands to use your hair samples in the manner described above.

Benefits

Utilizing our Services to discover your hair condition and texture can teach you about your hair health and understand what cosmetic ingredients are best suited for you. You may use this information to make more informed hair care decisions and choices.

Risks

In order to utilize our Services, you must collect the appropriate hair sample(s) for the test(s). There are no risks associated with collecting hair samples using the methods and containers provided in our test kit(s) when following the detailed instructions presented in the kit or on our website.

Limitations

OUR SERVICES DO NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information and content provided, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, videos, and other material contained in the Services, are for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, help, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your medical care, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on or via our Site. Nothing contained in the Services is intended to constitute a medical diagnosis or treatment. Reliance on any information appearing in the Services, including but not limited to information provided by Strands or by other users of the Services, is solely at your own risk. By clicking your acceptance, you understand and agree that your results are not intended to be used for any diagnostic purposes and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You understand that our Services are for information and educational use only; Strands does not provide medical services, diagnosis, treatment, or advice.

Strands does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or usefulness of the opinions, content, services or other information provided through the Services or on the Internet generally. Strands and its affiliates, licensors, and suppliers have no control over and accept no responsibility for your compliance with the laws applicable to your state of residence.

Strands implements several safeguards to avoid technical errors, but as with all forms of biological testing, there is a possibility of an incorrect result. Other sources of error include sample mix-up, poor sample quality, or contamination and technical errors in the laboratory.

Strands is constantly revising our analysis database to provide you with the most accurate hair analysis test results available. Hair condition testing is new and our understanding of the test methods and their results may change as new information becomes available. We are not obligated to notify you if there is a new understanding of the testing methods that might result in a change to the interpretation of your results. We reserve the right to contact you, at our option, in the future.

Retention and Use of Your Information

We are subject to multiple laws on the retention of data. Accordingly, we retain any information collected about you for as long as we are required to maintain it for regulatory and compliance purposes or for a legal or business necessity.

You will send your hair sample(s) directly to our Lab that will conduct the test. Strands has no obligations or liability regarding the retention of your sample(s). You understand that by providing any sample, having your sample processed, accessing your results, or providing information to us, you acquire no rights in any research or commercial products that may be developed by Strands or its collaborating partners. You specifically understand that you will not receive compensation for any research or commercial products that include or result from your sample or information.

Your information and test results may be stored in a repository and used for validation, educational, and/or research purposes. By clicking your acceptance of this Consent, you acknowledge and agree that Strands may de-identify the testing information that is obtained from our Services and that we may aggregate this information with de-identified testing information from other users. De-identification means that the personally identifiable information associated with your testing information will be removed. You understand that we may disclose, sell and otherwise commercialize de-identified information without restriction.

We may incorporate different or additional technologies to test or analyze data in the future. We may, at our sole discretion, choose to test or analyze your data using such technologies. We are not obligated to notify you if we chose to conduct different or additional testing or analysis on your data. Your purchase of our Services does not automatically include any such different or additional technologies. You may have to pay additional fees in order to receive Services using any future or additional technologies or features.

Confidentiality

By clicking your acceptance of this Consent, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy. You agree the Strands is not liable for the unauthorized release of your results or information unless such unauthorized release was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Strands.

Withdrawal of Consent

Your use of Strands’ Services is voluntary. You may choose to withdraw your Consent or to stop using Strands’ Services at any time. Such requests to should be sent to us by email at hello@strandshaircare.com or in writing at Strands Hair Care, 606 W El Segundo Blvd, Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90061.

Please note that while any changes you make will be reflected in our databases within a reasonable period of time, we may retain your information in the ordinary course of business, for the satisfaction of our legal obligations, or where we otherwise reasonably believe that we have a legitimate reason to do so. Information that has already been de-identified, anonymized, or aggregated may not be retrievable or traced back for destruction, deletion, or amendment.

Legal Agreement

You give permission for Strands Hair Care, its representatives, affiliates, staff, agents, and designees to perform the requested Services on the sample(s) you provide and to disclose your information and results in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Contacting Strands

If you have questions or comments about our Services or this Consent, please contact us by email at hello@strandshaircare.com, or in writing at Strands Hair Care, 606 W El Segundo Blvd, Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90061.