Health Ministry Warns Public Against Using 'DRAGONFLY' Hair Straightener
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health is warning the public against using the 'DRAGONFLY' hair straightening product after a girl was hospitalized with kidney damage. The product's license was revoked, and it is not in the ministry's database, despite claims on its label. The ministry is also banning products with Glyoxylic Acid due to kidney damage links, effective February 2026, and advises on safe hair straightening practices.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's Ministry of Health warns against 'DRAGONFLY' hair straightener after a girl's hospitalization with kidney damage.
- The 'DRAGONFLY' product's license was revoked, and it is not listed in the ministry's cosmetic database.
- A link between Glyoxylic Acid in hair straighteners and severe kidney damage has been established.
- Products containing Glyoxylic Acid will be banned in Israel from February 2026.
- The ministry advises using licensed salons and verifying product legality before treatments.
Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a public warning against the use, marketing, and distribution of the hair straightening product 'DRAGONFLY'. This alert follows a report of a girl hospitalized with kidney damage after using the product at a home-based hair salon. Investigations revealed that while the product's label falsely claims "licensed by the Ministry of Health," its license was revoked at the manufacturer's request and it is no longer listed in the ministry's cosmetic product database. The ministry has not yet received a response from the manufacturer regarding the incident.
In recent months, the ministry has received multiple reports of hospitalizations linked to hair straightening treatments. An expert committee has established a clear causal link between hair straighteners containing Glyoxylic Acid and severe kidney damage. Consequently, the ministry has canceled licenses for cosmetics with this ingredient and will ban their sale and use in Israel starting February 2026. The use of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is also prohibited in Israeli cosmetics.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes the serious health risks associated with using non-legally marketed hair straightening products or those containing prohibited ingredients. They urge the public and salon owners to immediately cease using, purchasing, or marketing 'DRAGONFLY'.
Recommendations for safe hair straightening include using licensed salons, verifying product legality and database registration, and ensuring product labels match database information. The ministry also advises against straightening damaged scalps, maintaining a 1.5 cm distance from the scalp, using products in well-ventilated areas, and avoiding treatments for individuals under 16.
Altering cosmetic product formulations, such as adding Glyoxylic Acid or formaldehyde, or diluting them, is considered a severe health risk and a criminal offense, as it invalidates safety assessments and can expose users to unknown hazardous substances. The ministry urges immediate medical attention for any unusual symptoms post-treatment, such as decreased urination, swelling, nausea, severe fatigue, or confusion, providing details of the product used if known. The ministry continues its investigation and will update the public as findings emerge.
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