Pink Armor Nail Gel

The National Advertising Division (The National Advertising Division (NAD) is the advertising industry’s self-regulatory body administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.) has recommended that Ontel Products Corporation discontinue the use of before-and-after images used in advertising for the company’s Pink Armor Nail Gel product.

The before and after photos on the Pink Armor packaging depicted a drastic improvement in nail health and strength. The box included a (See Fine Print). saying the pictures were a dramatization, but NAD ruled that the disclaimer did not excuse the misleading images.

Claims made:

• “Your nails won’t peel, chip or crack no matter what the attack.”
• “Rock Hard Finish.”
• “[G]uaranteed to transform cracked, brittle and weak nails into healthy, stronger, brighter nails with just one coat, once a week.”
• “[W]ith just one coat, once a week, [i]t’s like getting a professional nail treatment at home manicure at home!”

Even with the disclaimer, NAD found the images and accompanying testimonials to be deceptive because consumers are accustomed to seeing before and after photos as a true illustration of performance claims, so reasonable consumers could be expected to interpret Pink Armor’s pictures as such even with contradictory fine print.

Ontel disagreed with the NAD’s opinion but nevertheless agreed to comply with their request to remove the misleading ads out of respect for the self-regulatory process.