Health Ministry Warns of Hair Straightener After Teen's Kidney Damage
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health is warning the public against the hair straightening product "DRAGONFLY" after a teen suffered kidney damage. The product's license was revoked, and the ministry has received other hospitalization reports linked to hair straightening. A committee found a link between "glyoxylic acid" and kidney damage, leading to a ban on such products from February 2026.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Health Ministry warns against "DRAGONFLY" hair straightener after teen's hospitalization.
- Product "DRAGONFLY" had its license revoked by the Ministry of Health.
- Recent months saw multiple hospitalizations linked to hair straightening treatments.
- Expert committee confirmed "glyoxylic acid" causes acute kidney damage.
- Products with "glyoxylic acid" will be banned in Israel from February 2026.
- Ministry advises caution, recommends licensed salons and specific usage practices.
Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a public warning against using a hair straightening product named "DRAGONFLY" following a case where a teenage girl was hospitalized with kidney damage after undergoing the treatment at a home-based salon. The ministry urges an immediate halt to the product's use, marketing, and distribution.
An investigation by the ministry revealed that despite the product's packaging claiming it is "licensed by the Ministry of Health," its license was revoked at the manufacturer's request and it is no longer listed in the ministry's cosmetics database.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.
In the past two months, several other hospitalizations linked to hair straightening treatments have been reported. A professional expert committee has established a clear causal link between the use of hair straightening products containing "glyoxylic acid" and acute kidney damage. Consequently, licenses for cosmetics containing this substance have been canceled, and their sale and use will be prohibited in Israel starting February 2026.
The ministry also reminded the public that "formaldehyde," a known carcinogen, is also banned in Israeli cosmetics. They advise consumers and salon owners to avoid purchasing or using "DRAGONFLY" and to only use products listed in the ministry's database, verifying that salons have valid business licenses.
Further recommendations include avoiding hair straightening if the scalp is irritated, applying products at least 1.5 centimeters from the scalp, ensuring good ventilation, and refraining from performing these treatments on children and adolescents under 16. The ministry stressed that adding banned substances, diluting products, or altering their composition post-production poses serious health risks and is a criminal offense.
Individuals experiencing unusual symptoms after hair straightening, such as reduced urine output, facial or leg swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or confusion, are urged to seek immediate medical attention and provide details about the product used.
