Teen Hospitalized with Kidney Damage After Hair Straightening Treatment

A 16-year-old girl from Tel Aviv was hospitalized at Wolfson Medical Center with kidney damage after undergoing a hair straightening treatment at a home salon. She presented with weakness, abdominal pain, and nausea several hours after the procedure. Initial kidney function tests were normal, but subsequent tests revealed a significant decline in kidney function, with values more than double the normal range.

The specific product used in the treatment has not been disclosed, so the exact cause of the kidney damage remains undetermined. Wolfson Medical Center has previously reported a case of kidney failure following hair straightening in Israel.

The Ministry of Health has warned against the use of glyoxylic acid in hair straightening products due to reports of kidney damage. In Israel, the use of this substance for hair straightening is prohibited, and licenses for products containing it have been revoked. However, it is not confirmed if this substance was present in the product used on the teenager.

Health officials advise consumers to check product details in the Ministry of Health's cosmetics database before undergoing hair straightening. If weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, or other unusual symptoms occur after treatment, medical attention should be sought immediately, and healthcare providers should be informed about the timing of the treatment and the product used, if known.