From the best medical-grade silicone to certified non-toxic fabrics, Hello Period is on a mission to keep your period products as safe as they are effective - because your vjayjay deserves nothing less.
We’re seeing more headlines around PFAS being found in everything from clothing to kitchenware and even period products. But what are they and should we be concerned?
Before we dive into the topic in general, be rest assured that Hello Period products are safe, tested and made from the highest quality materials.
We see it as a huge positive that (finally) more studies are being done on period products and their ingredients because many manufacturers do not disclose what their products contain and are made from, or whether they have additives applied.
While the headlines are alarming and can cause panic, it’s important to know more research needs to be done.
Like with all consumer products, the best thing to do before you buy is to research the brand. Brands that lack transparency or ‘real humans’ to answer questions can be red flags.
Keep reading for more on PFAS but first, let us tell you about Hello Period’s range, ingredients and certifications.
Hello Undies & Pads
The fabrics used in Hello Undies and Hello Pads have received OEKO-TEX 100 certification by independent testing lab, Testex. This testing confirmed that our Undies and Pads do not contain potentially harmful PFOA or PFOS compounds and have been extensively tested for harmful substances. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 guarantees that all aspects of a textile, including the finishings, are free of harmful chemicals.
Separate independent testing was also undertaken by international safety lab UL to check for PFAS in gusset materials. They tested all the fabrics in the gusset for fluorine, the common denominator of PFAS compounds. UL verified that the gusset does not contain fluorine.
Hello Discs
The Hello Disc is made from Momentive German-engineered, USP Class VI, platinum cured silicone, which is one of the most trusted materials in the medical industry. It's not just any silicone - it’s ISO 10993 certified, which means it has passed rigorous testing for long-term use inside the human body.
USP Class VI is the gold standard of medical silicone classification. It requires extensive biocompatibility testing, including systemic toxicity, irritation, and implantation studies. It’s the level required for things like implants, surgical devices, and products that stay inside the body for hours or even days.
ISO 10993 is an international safety benchmark used to determine how materials interact with the human body. Certification under ISO 10993 ensures that the silicone is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and completely biocompatible for mucosal use (i.e. safe for vaginal use).
To create the Hello Disc colours that people know and love, we use a medical-grade colourant made by a world-leading colourant supplier in Singapore at their ISO 13485 certified facility. The colourant used is specifically designed for healthcare and is certified as being both USP Class VI and ISO 10993 - so safe and stable as part of our product that is worn internally.
So when we say the Hello Disc is one of the safest menstrual discs on the market, we mean it.
Hello Cups
Hello Cups are made using a medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which we source from Everlon in Taiwan. We use their TM series material which has been specifically designed for making body-safe medical devices. It is USP Class VI, FDA compliant and meets REACH compliance requirements. It is considered to be one of the most premium materials because of its heat stability, UV stabilisation, flexibility and comfort.
Remember....
At Hello Period we’ve been very vocal about the lack of regulation and the need for more robust ‘proof’ to be required from some of the brands that are selling online. Unfortunately, the term (and the period product market in general) is not tightly regulated, and many products on the market use low-quality silicone that may ‘technically’ be medical grade, but doesn’t meet the highest safety or biocompatibility standards. We strongly feel vaginas deserve better than vague claims and sub-par materials and so Hello Period will only use the best, certified and proven materials.
Let’s take a closer look at PFAS. : What They Are and Why You Don’t Need to Panic
You might’ve heard the term PFAS thrown around lately on the news, social media or in conversations about period care. But before we dive headfirst into panic mode, let’s break it down in simple terms.
So, what actually are PFAS?
PFAS (pronounced pee-fass) stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Essentially they’re a group of man-made chemicals used to make things water-resistant, stain-proof, grease-repellent and long-lasting. They’ve been around since the 1940s and are found in all sorts of everyday items from nonstick pans, waterproof jackets, mascara, fast food wrappers, and even some period products.
They're nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down easily in the environment or our bodies. Instead, they hang around. And while that might sound freaky, the reality is a bit more complex.
Why is everyone suddenly talking about them?
As science and testing methods improve, we’re learning more about what PFAS are, where they show up, and how they might affect our health. Some studies have linked high levels of certain PFAS to health issues like hormone disruption, reduced immune function, and even certain cancers. But it’s still early days in terms of understanding how much exposure is harmful and which PFAS are the real culprits.
There are thousands of different PFAS chemicals, and not all of them behave the same. That’s part of the reason we don’t have all the answers yet. It’s like trying to understand a family with thousands of distant cousins - you can't judge them all the same way.
Should I be worried?
Here’s the honest answer: No need to freak out. Yes, PFAS are concerning, but you’re probably already exposed to them through things like drinking water, packaging, clothing, and cookware. That doesn’t mean they’re good for you - it just means we’re all still figuring out what’s safe and what’s not.
In the meantime, regulators and scientists are working hard to study PFAS and limit the worst offenders. More brands are testing their products for PFAS (which is great!), but here’s the catch…
Why no brand can honestly say they're “PFAS-free”
PFAS are everywhere. They can sneak into products unintentionally during manufacturing, or even from machinery or packaging. Because of that, there’s currently no universal standard or certification that guarantees a product is 100% PFAS-free.
So if you see a brand boldly claiming ‘100% PFAS-free’ - take it with a grain of salt. In fact it could be a red flag. The more transparent brands will say something like ‘PFAS not intentionally added’ or ‘tested for harmful PFAS’. That’s the gold standard right now.
Bottom line?
PFAS aren’t something we should ignore—but they’re also not a reason to panic. Until the science catches up, the best thing you can do is support brands who are open about what’s in their products, keep asking questions, and stay informed. Progress is happening—and with a bit of patience and pressure, we’ll get the clarity we all deserve.
Sources
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Basic Information about PFAS.
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas -
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / ATSDR. (2022). PFAS and Your Health.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html -
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2018). Toward a New Comprehensive Global Database of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs).
https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/portal-perfluorinated-chemicals/ -
Green Science Policy Institute. (2023). PFAS https://greensciencepolicy.org/our-work/pfas/
