Health Ministry Warns of Immediate Recall for Popular Hair Straightener
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning and called for an immediate recall of the hair straightening product "DRAGONFLY" after a teenager was hospitalized with kidney damage. The product's license was canceled, and it is no longer in the ministry's database, despite its label claiming otherwise. The ministry has linked certain hair straightening ingredients to kidney damage and is prohibiting their use from February 2026.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Health Ministry warns of immediate recall for "DRAGONFLY" hair straightener.
- Teenager hospitalized with kidney damage after using the product.
- Product license canceled; it is no longer in the ministry's database.
- Glycolic acid in hair straighteners linked to severe kidney damage.
- Use of glycolic acid products banned in Israel from February 2026.
Israel's Ministry of Health issued an urgent warning on Sunday to the public and hair salons regarding the hair straightening product "DRAGONFLY." The alert follows a report of a teenage girl hospitalized with kidney damage after using the product at a home salon. The ministry is calling for an immediate halt to the product's use, marketing, and distribution.
An investigation by the Ministry of Health revealed that while the product's label stated it was "licensed by the Ministry of Health," its license had actually been canceled at the manufacturer's request and it is no longer listed in the ministry's cosmetics database. The ministry attempted to contact the manufacturer for comment but has not yet received a response.
The warning comes amid several reports in the past two months of hospitalizations linked to hair straightening treatments. A professional expert committee has established a clear causal link between hair straightening products containing glycolic acid and severe kidney damage. Consequently, licenses for cosmetics with this ingredient have been revoked, and their sale, marketing, and use will be prohibited in Israel starting February 2026. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is already banned in Israeli cosmetics.
The ministry emphasizes that consumers should not rely solely on product packaging. They must verify that the cosmetic is listed in the ministry's database and that the information on the packaging matches the database details. The ministry also advises performing straightening treatments only at licensed salons, avoiding treatments on damaged or irritated scalps, and refraining from using these products on children and adolescents under 16. Modifying the composition of straightening products is also prohibited.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health cautions that any unusual symptoms after a hair straightening treatment, such as a significant decrease in urine output, facial or leg swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, or disorientation, require immediate medical attention. Patients should inform medical staff about the product used if known.
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