Health Ministry Warns of Hair Straightener Linked to Kidney Failure

Israel's Ministry of Health issued an urgent warning on Monday against using a hair straightening product named "Revival Miracle" after a woman was hospitalized at Rambam Health Care Campus. The ministry is calling for an immediate halt to the product's use, marketing, and sale. According to the ministry's report, the woman used the product for hair straightening and subsequently required hospitalization. An initial investigation revealed that the product, labeled as manufactured by "P.R. Colordesign," is being marketed without the required license or notification for cosmetic products. Most critically, the product's label indicates it contains "glyoxylic acid," an ingredient completely banned in hair straightening products in Israel due to its link to kidney failure. A ministry representative collected a sample from the salon where the product was used, which will undergo laboratory testing to confirm its composition and assess the risk. The ministry has contacted "P.R. Colordesign" but has not yet received a response. This follows a previous decision over two years ago by the Ministry of Health to revoke licenses for hair straightening cosmetics containing glyoxylic acid after its connection to kidney failure cases was established. At Shaare Zedek Medical Center, three cases of young women and girls hospitalized with varying degrees of kidney failure within two months were reported after using hair straightening treatments. The Ministry of Health considers this incident serious and warns that using illegally marketed hair straightening products or those with banned ingredients can endanger public health. They urge the public and salon owners to immediately stop using "Revival Miracle" and avoid purchasing or marketing it. The ministry advises verifying that cosmetic products are legally marketed and do not contain unverified or unsafe ingredients, recommending checking the ministry's cosmetic database for licensing and approved uses. Individuals experiencing unusual symptoms after hair straightening, such as decreased urination, swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, or extreme fatigue, should seek immediate medical attention and provide details of the product used.