Health Ministry Warns of Hair Straightening Product After Teen Hospitalized
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health has warned against the "DRAGONFLY" hair straightening product after a teenager was hospitalized with kidney damage. The product's license was revoked, and it is no longer in the ministry's database. The ministry has linked glycolic acid in such products to acute kidney damage and will ban them from February 2026. They advise using licensed salons and legally marketed products, and seeking immediate medical help for adverse symptoms.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Health Ministry warns against "DRAGONFLY" hair product after teen's kidney damage hospitalization.
- Product "DRAGONFLY" was found to be unlisted and its license revoked by the Health Ministry.
- Glycolic acid in hair straightening products is linked to acute kidney damage, ministry says.
- Marketing, sale, and use of products with glycolic acid will be banned in Israel from February 2026.
- Ministry advises using licensed salons and legally marketed cosmetics, and seeking medical help for symptoms.
Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a warning against the hair straightening product "DRAGONFLY" after a teenager was hospitalized with kidney damage following its use at a home salon. The ministry is urging the public and professionals to immediately cease the use, marketing, and distribution of this product. An investigation revealed that while the product's label claimed it was 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 attempted to contact the manufacturer for comment but has not yet received a response.
This incident follows several other hospitalizations reported to the Ministry of Health in recent months after hair straightening treatments. A professional expert committee has established a clear causal link between hair straightening products containing glycolic acid and acute kidney damage. Consequently, the ministry has revoked 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 of Health considers this incident serious and warns that using illegally marketed hair straightening products or those with prohibited ingredients poses a significant public health risk. They advise consumers and salon owners to immediately stop using "DRAGONFLY," refrain from purchasing it, and avoid marketing it. The ministry recommends that hair straightening procedures only be performed in licensed salons, ensuring that the cosmetics used are legally marketed and registered with the ministry. Consumers should verify product labeling against the ministry's database rather than relying solely on packaging information.
Additional recommendations include avoiding treatments on damaged or irritated scalps, applying products at least 1.5 cm from the scalp in well-ventilated areas, and refraining from performing these treatments on children and adolescents under 16. The ministry emphasizes that adding substances like glycolic acid or formaldehyde, diluting products, or altering their composition after manufacturing is a severe health hazard and a criminal offense, as it invalidates safety assessments and can expose users to dangerous substances at unknown concentrations.
In case of unusual symptoms after hair straightening, such as a significant decrease or absence of urination, swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, or disorientation, immediate medical attention is required. Patients should inform medical staff about the product used, if known. The Ministry of Health continues to investigate the incident and will provide further updates as necessary.
