Celebrity Justice
Does Victoria Have an Itchy, Red Secret?

Giving new meaning to "burning bras," some of Victoria's Secret's signature products are allegedly giving women hot, red, itchy welts, and it might be because of the stuff they embalm bodies with.

A class action lawsuit is in the works from "dozens" of women who say Angels Secret Embrace and Very Sexy Extreme Me Push-Up bras are giving them rashes, hives and permanent scarring. Some bras, according to an ABC News report, are coming up positive for formaldehyde.

One woman, Roberta Ritter, already sued the company back in May.

VS issued the following statement: "Millions of women love Victoria's Secret bras. We have strict quality controls around our products, and we do not use formaldehyde in our bras. Customer safety and satisfaction are always our primary concerns, and we take very seriously any issues our customers may have with our products."

Reader Comments

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16. I use to work for a customs brokerage and we cleared VS products to enter in the country. The bras are all made in factories in Hong Kong and the bras only cost MAYBE $1.00 USD to MAKE!!! What a profit those guys are turning for JUNK!
$1.00 per bra to make
$ 49.99 per bra when bought at the store
Hey! someone has to pay Heidi!!!

Posted at 2:59PM on Nov 11th 2008 by Customs Broker

17. There is absolutly no proof that it is the bras causing the problems, did anybody stop to think that maybe some people are allergic to the fabric the bras are made of, or that it could also be the breast cancer that starts with red itchy bumps.
Wake up people, and get a life

Posted at 3:18PM on Nov 11th 2008 by Deeregirl

18. I was just going to say...I bet they are made in China. Well - Hong Kong - there's the answer. America needs to stop importing everything before we all die of some type of toxic poisoning!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:09PM on Nov 11th 2008 by nicole

19. @deeregirl

STFU!!

Posted at 3:40PM on Nov 11th 2008 by OPRAH\\\'S RICH BITCH!!

20. I had the same problem - not as severe as red welts but I had a rash from the Very Sexy push up w/ gel inserts... I had to get a steroid cream to get rid of it - nothing crazy but still a pain in the royal a$$ - I took the gel inserts out and haven't had a problem since... But i'd like to take part in this class action suit lol...

Posted at 4:22PM on Nov 11th 2008 by kda

21. NO WAY!!!!!!!! I've had a rash on my chest for 2 weeks now. I got my new bras about 2 and half weeks ago! The Dr couldn't figure out what it was!

Posted at 4:22PM on Nov 11th 2008 by NAT

22. @deeregirl,,,

are you kidding? did you ever think that the gel inserts do have something wrong with them? and if people are allergic, then so be it but it's uncommon - esp. when i have no allergies to anything - it's odd, and i can't believe you actually brought up breast cancer... how dare you? I think you need relax a little bit...

Posted at 4:27PM on Nov 11th 2008 by kda

23. Hey, its a good thing they don't make thong underwear! Burning crotch of fire.....

Posted at 4:23PM on Nov 11th 2008 by Lawanda

24. oh yuk! i have some vs bras and i was complaining the other day that i could not stop itching!!

Posted at 4:42PM on Nov 11th 2008 by abigail

25. Does anyone have more info on this? I've seriously been suffering from this.

Posted at 4:43PM on Nov 11th 2008 by NAT

26. Although these bras could be causing skin welts the use of formaldehyde is not unusual. I have been in the home goods industry for years and formaldehyde is used to set the colors in fabrics on a regular basis. I do think it is ridiculous that after all of these years a better solution hasn't been found, it isn't surprising to me. Just because a chemical is also used in the embalming process it makes it "shocking" and "newsworthy". It would be nice if in the name of good journalism that the writer would have taken the time to find out other uses for formaldehyde rather than just go for the WOW-factor.

Posted at 10:21AM on Nov 12th 2008 by Kathy

27. Yeah...high quality crap from China, vietnam, korea, and all other places that bring us high quality products like children's scrunchies made of used condoms (gasp!), rat poisoned toys, rotisserie chickens that were dead before they were even planned on being slaughtered, and many other goodies that fall apart after one wash. Formaldehyde must the preservative they add to prevent the clothes from falling apart in the wash...haha Asians are trying to kill us...they know americans will grab anything if its cheap....

Posted at 5:52PM on Nov 11th 2008 by annabobanana

28. All of you cannot be that idiotic. Almost every single item of clothing made in ANY country, including the US, uses formaldehyde as a preservative for the material during shipment. That is why the tag says to "wash before wearing", it prevents the material from breaking down, molding or disintegrating from rapid temperature changes or humidity. Cotton is a NATURAL product, as is blended fabrics like lycra and spandex. Natural products need preservatives until they are at a final destination, just like foods with preservatives. Mark my words, the clothing industry has been doing this for A LONG TIME and this case will be thrown out, I guarantee it. If someone buys clothes and wears them before washing them, it is likely they will get a rash, especially if they have not been out of the shipping container for very long. Formaldehyde evaporates and will dissipate after a period of time. Ladies, be smart, dont wear clothes without washing them first, common sense will get you a lot farther than a random lawsuit to make up for your lack of brains.

Posted at 10:09AM on Nov 12th 2008 by TKT

29. If there are any itchy red rashes ...TMZ gave it to them.

Posted at 6:34PM on Nov 11th 2008 by Ms.Chokesondic

30. Here is the answer. Go braless and make everyone happy!

Posted at 9:53PM on Nov 11th 2008 by HamBone

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