Teen Hospitalized with Kidney Failure After Home Hair Straightening Treatment

A 16-year-old girl from Tel Aviv was hospitalized at Wolfson Medical Center last week suffering from general weakness, abdominal pain, and nausea shortly after undergoing a hair straightening treatment at a home salon. Following extensive tests, she was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Dr. Meital Keidar, head of pediatric nephrology at Wolfson Medical Center, stated that the teenager arrived at the hospital in mild condition several hours after the treatment. Initially, her kidney function appeared normal, but within hours, there was a significant deterioration, with kidney function levels rising to more than double the norm.

This is reportedly the first case of its kind reported in Israel. Dr. Keidar emphasized the critical importance of having hair straightening treatments performed only in licensed and approved establishments, not in home salons. She also warned that many products previously approved by the Ministry of Health for hair straightening are no longer authorized for use but may still be available on shelves.

Dr. Keidar advised the public to consult the Ministry of Health's website to verify which products are currently approved for use, highlighting the potential risks associated with using unapproved chemicals.