HeadOn - Apply directly to your forehead!

[HappyCat]

I was watching tv today when I saw a strange commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XAFCRT9L7A
The product is apparently called HeadOn, and you are supposed to apply it directly to your forehead. Not knowing much else, I decided to see if the internet knew what this product did:

http://www.brandsworldwide.com.au/BRANDS1/Headon/faqs.htm
HeadOn™ is a homeopathic product and works based on the Law of Similars ("like cures like") and Potentization. Potentization involves a series of precise dilutions which release the active ingredients' medicinal properties.

Repeated dilution removes all chance of chemical toxicity. Simply expressed, application of the active ingredients in their potentized strengths can stimulate the body's curative powers to overcome its symptoms during headache or migraine
Amusingly enough, this water is not suitable for children age 7 to 11. For them, you need children's HeadOn
HeadOn™ is ideal for headache sufferers of all ages (for children from 7 to 11 years of age, use Children's HeadOn™ ).
After careful analysis, I suggest applying HeadOn directly to your trash can. ;)

[Sword_Of_Truth]

What, are you kidding? I love this stuff!

On a scorching hot day, nothing refreshes like a tall glass of Children's Head-On™ on ice.

Straight from the municipal resivoir piped directly to your home for only pennies a day!

[Mr. Skinny]

I really, really, dislike their stupid commercial. "HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forhead!!!" (repeat 3 times in 10 seconds). *gak*

Crappy advert for a crappy product.

[bob_kark]

There's a similar product that I've found works just as well and is applied the same way. The great thing about it is that it never runs out!

Homeopath approved! (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=169629-355-51-000&lpage=none)

[Gravy]

I really, really, dislike their stupid commercial. "HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forhead!!!" (repeat 3 times in 10 seconds). *gak*

Crappy advert for a crappy product.
Oh, yes. I saw this at about 3 a.m. Thank you for confirming that I wasn't hallucinating. Very creepy! There is NO description of what it is or what it's for. I think it's important to not just say "repeat 3 times," but to show the text.
[Start commercial]

"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"

[End]

[Dogdoctor]

My sister in law tried the stuff a long time ago. I posted about it. She was convinced it worked till I pointed out to her that there was no way it could work. She was surprised they sold it in the drug store without obvious disclaimers.

[HappyCat]

Notice that at the end of the commercial, the package shown just says "HeadOn", where if you do a GIS for "HeadOn forehead (http://images.google.com/images?q=headon+forehead&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&start=0&sa=N&filter=0)" you will see that the actual package is clearly labeled "Headache Relief". This shows that they deliberately took time and effort to make sure the commercial had no information about what the medicine is supposed to remedy. Does anyone know why someone would do this? Avoiding truth in advertising laws is the best I can come up with.

[Mr. Skinny]

Oh, yes. I saw this at about 3 a.m. Thank you for confirming that I wasn't hallucinating. Very creepy! There is NO description of what it is or what it's for. I think it's important to not just say "repeat 3 times," but to show the text.
[Start commercial]

"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"

[End]
Gravy, I typed it that way in another thread on this forum to give the full effect of how grating it is.

It was in that thread about the guy that wrecked his pickup truck and had his wifes severed head in the back of it. Some people didn't appreciate the sick humor. :) You know, the headstrong type that lose their heads over every little thing? Yeah, them.

[Phrost]

Not to derail, but lol@"HappyCat". Are you a fellow goon?

[tsg]

Notice that at the end of the commercial, the package shown just says "HeadOn", where if you do a GIS for "HeadOn forehead (http://images.google.com/images?q=headon+forehead&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&start=0&sa=N&filter=0)" you will see that the actual package is clearly labeled "Headache Relief". This shows that they deliberately took time and effort to make sure the commercial had no information about what the medicine is supposed to remedy. Does anyone know why someone would do this? Avoiding truth in advertising laws is the best I can come up with.

The FDA may have told them to stop making medical claims in their commercials (just a guess, I have not been able to confirm this) because I remember seeing the very same commercial with a different soundtrack indicating that HeadOn is for relieving headaches.

The funny part is that the inactive ingredients listed in HeadOn are many of the same listed as active ingredients in Ben Gay. Whether Ben Gay is useful for relieving headaches is unknown.

[bluess]

Let's see ....

Apply Ben Gay to forehead.

Wish to god you hadn't, as eyes start watering and stinging from smell.

Forget about headache due eyes now burning...

Hey, it works!

[Cyphermage]

I really, really, dislike their stupid commercial. "HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forhead!!!" (repeat 3 times in 10 seconds). *gak*

Crappy advert for a crappy product.

I think the key here is that they cleverly avoid claiming the product actually does anything.

[paiute]

Button.

[patnray]

The FDA may have told them to stop making medical claims in their commercials (just a guess, I have not been able to confirm this) because I remember seeing the very same commercial with a different soundtrack indicating that HeadOn is for relieving headaches.

I, too, remember that the original version mentioned that it was for treating headaches, and I noticed that the new version removes that claim and has blanked out the portion of the box that says it is for headaches. I also surmised that they were forced to remove that claim...

[alfaniner]

"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"
"HEAD ON!! Apply directly to the forehead!!!"


I think that would make a great ringtone.

:D

[ktesibios]

Lessee- it's a homeopathic product, right> That means it's water.

You're supposed to put it on your head, eh?

Then we can translate the slogan thus:

"HEAD ON! Go soak your head!"

[IXP]

I am waiting for the follow on product:

Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!
Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!
Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!

With no claim that it will relieve you from a pain in the ass.

IXP

[OMGturt1es]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqnASjunx8&NR

:D

[SaintDymphna]

Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!

With no claim that it will relieve you from a pain in the ass.

IXP

They're working up to it. Today I saw the people on the commercial rubbing it (Head On...Joint On???) onto their knees and elbows. The rest is just a matter of time.

SaintDymphna

[SRW]

hard-on apply directly to the... well you get the idea.

[Katana]

I am waiting for the follow on product:

Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!
Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!
Ass On. Apply directly to the ass!

With no claim that it will relieve you from a pain in the ass.

IXP

It's so funny that you should bring this up. I was just thinking about another annoying ad. It's for FreedHEM hemorrhoidal cream.

FreedHEM, the only one-application hemorrhoidal cream
FreedHEM, the only one-application hemorrhoidal cream
FreedHEM, the only one-application hemorrhoidal cream

Annoying as hell, but I fear effective nonetheless.

[bjb]

hard-on apply directly to the... well you get the idea.

...foreskin?

[SRW]

...foreskin?

I was thinking ****heads. but that more of what I think of the people who make this.

[Starthinker]

Just saw this commercial for the first time today. It was a Weather Channel featured sponsor!

[Meffy]

TWC puts any old garbage on for adverts. I wasn't surprised to see (but not hear; what use is the sound?) this one.

HeadOn -- directly into a brick wall!
HeadOn -- directly into a brick wall!
HeadOn -- directly into a brick wall!

[Dragonrock]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqnASjunx8&NR

:D

I guess I'm just simple, but that had me giggling.

[LostAngeles]

After seeing the commerical at the end of Jeopardy a bunch, I never ever want to be reminded of it again.

Why am I not surprised it's a load of crap.

[Lisa Simpson]

Whilst Googling "Head-On" migraine relief, I came across several websites detailing how one of Head-On's active ingredients is quite harmful. According to drugstore.com, Head-on includes 6X potassium dichromate. How much potassium dichromate is in this stuff and how much would be a harmful dose? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[JLam]

This ad was reviewed on slate.com:

http://www.slate.com/id/2146382/?nav=ais

[Bri]

Here's a link to the HeadOn commercial as well as the other annoying commercials for presumably equally crappy products by this company:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdtHimlEGnk&NR

I especially enjoy the commercial for the hemorrhoid cream, but I strongly discourage searching for "hemorrhoid" on encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Hemarroid). You know you're going to click on it, but don't say I didn't warn you!

-Bri

[LostAngeles]

BTW: Happy Cat...

The commercial is now stuck in my head.

i h8 u 4eva.

[empeake]

I heard a rumor that they are trying to get Zidane as spokesman. :D

[LostAngeles]

I heard a rumor that they are trying to get Zidane as spokesman. :D

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[Starthinker]

It appears Charo is desperate for work.

Head On! Coochi Coochi Coochi
Head On! Coochi Coochi Coochi
Head On! Coochi Coochi Coochi
Apply to forehead!

[Meffy]

It appears Charo is desperate for work.
Oh, come on. Considering the big part for her in the next "Star Wars" movie, how could she need yet more work?

http://www.freewebtown.com/meffy/stuffs/charo_charo_binks.jpg

[LostAngeles]

Guys, have you seen Charo's body? I mean, sure she has a nose-job nose, but goddamn, have you seen her body? Holy crap.

That and she plays a mean guitar.

[steve s]

The NBC Nightly News did a story about this product tonight. I was hoping that maybe they'd expose this for the homeopathic nonsense that it is. But of course they didn't. All they did was talk about the clever ad campaign. Not one word about the product's efficacy.

Steve S.

[N320AW]

The commercial is the absolute opposite of subliminal advertising! Amazing.

Ask anyone what product you apply " directly to the forhead " and everyone will know the answer!

[Kochanski]

The NBC Nightly News did a story about this product tonight. I was hoping that maybe they'd expose this for the homeopathic nonsense that it is. But of course they didn't. All they did was talk about the clever ad campaign. Not one word about the product's efficacy.

Steve S.

They thought it was clever???? When I finally saw it (I don't watch that much tv) it just made my brain hurt. If I actually had to listen to it more than once i think I would put my foot through the screen.

[Meffy]

Ask anyone what product you apply " directly to the forhead " and everyone will know the answer!
... the heel of my handpaw? (as in: D'oh! *bonk*)

[Gravy]

A good debunking of Head-On! on the Today show this morning. An M.D. was interviewed and explained why there's no scientific reason that the product can work, that the "active ingredients" are vanishingly small, and that any perceived benefit is due to the placebo effect.

Apparently this company's advertising used to claim that Head-On cures headaches, but the Better Business Bureau filed a complaint against them and they were forced to withdraw the claim.

"Available without a prescription!"

[tsg]

Apparently this company's advertising used to claim that Head-On cures headaches, but the Better Business Bureau filed a complaint against them and they were forced to withdraw the claim.

Not to get all Claus on you, but do you have any verification of that? That was my suspicion as well since I remember the commercial actually making claims at one point befrore being changed to the present annoying form, but I haven't been able to confirm it. If it is the result of a complaint it kind of takes the wind out of the "clever marketing campaign" sails.

ETA: Nevermind. I found it here (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2006-07-30-head-on-usat_x.htm). Google is your friend :).

[Bindamel]

They thought it was clever???? When I finally saw it (I don't watch that much tv) it just made my brain hurt. If I actually had to listen to it more than once i think I would put my foot through the screen.

(Bolding mine)


It sells itself!

[Kochanski]

(Bolding mine)


It sells itself!

Umm, but I am not a homeopath, I don't believe like cures like :p

[politas]

Whilst Googling "Head-On" migraine relief, I came across several websites detailing how one of Head-On's active ingredients is quite harmful. According to drugstore.com, Head-on includes 6X potassium dichromate. How much potassium dichromate is in this stuff and how much would be a harmful dose? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Lets see, from what I can find, a homeopathic 6X is equivalent to a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml. Wikipedia is your friend: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_dichromate)
Potassium dichromate is one of the most common culprits in causing chromium dermatitis. Chromium is highly likely to induce sensitization leading to dermatitis, especially of the hand and fore-arms, which is chronic and difficult to treat. As with other CrVI products, potassium dichromate is carcinogenic and should be handled with gloves and appropriate health and safety protection. Potassium dichromate is listed as one of the ingredients in the migraine over-the-counter homeopathic medication called HeadOn, though at a homeopathic dilution of 6X the product contains only one part per million of dichromate.