Health Ministry Warns Public Against "Dragonfly" Hair Straightening Product
Translated & summarized from Ministry of Health by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health is warning the public against the "Dragonfly" hair straightening product after a teenager was hospitalized with kidney damage. The product's license was canceled, despite its label claiming otherwise, and it is not in the ministry's database. The ministry has linked certain hair straightening ingredients to kidney damage and is banning them, while also advising caution with all such products.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Health Ministry warns against "Dragonfly" hair product after a teen's hospitalization.
- The "Dragonfly" product's license was canceled, but its label falsely claims ministry approval.
- The ministry has linked glycolic acid in hair straighteners to severe kidney damage.
- Products with glycolic acid will be banned from sale and use in Israel starting February 2026.
- The ministry advises consumers to use only legally approved hair products and exercise caution.
Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a public warning against the use, marketing, and distribution of the "Dragonfly" hair straightening product following a report of a teenage girl hospitalized with kidney damage after using it at a home salon. The ministry stated that while the product's label falsely claims it is "licensed by the Ministry of Health," its license was actually canceled at the manufacturer's request and it is no longer listed in the ministry's cosmetics database. The ministry has been investigating the incident and has not yet received a response from the manufacturer.
In recent months, the Ministry of Health has received several reports of hospitalizations after hair straightening treatments. A professional expert committee found a clear causal link between hair straightening products containing glycolic acid and severe kidney damage. Consequently, the ministry canceled licenses for cosmetics containing this ingredient, and their marketing, sale, and use will be prohibited in Israel starting February 2026. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is also banned in Israeli cosmetics.
The ministry emphasized the seriousness of the situation, warning that using illegally marketed hair straightening products or those containing prohibited ingredients can endanger public health. They urged the public and salon owners to immediately stop using "Dragonfly," refrain from purchasing or marketing it, and only use products that are legally marketed and appear in the ministry's database. Consumers should verify product labeling against the database and avoid treatments on damaged or irritated scalps. Treatments should be performed in well-ventilated areas, with the product applied at least 1.5 cm from the scalp. The ministry also advises against hair straightening for children and adolescents under 16.
Altering product composition, such as adding ingredients like glycolic acid or formaldehyde, or diluting products after manufacturing, poses a severe health risk and is a criminal offense, as it invalidates safety assessments and can expose users to unknown concentrations of hazardous substances. The ministry stressed that anyone experiencing symptoms like significantly reduced or absent urination, swelling, nausea, vomiting, severe fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, or disorientation after a hair straightening treatment should seek immediate medical attention and provide details of the product used.
