Israel Health Ministry Warns of Dangerous Hair Straightener After Teen Hospitalized

Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a warning against the hair straightening product DRAGONFLY following the hospitalization of a teenage girl with kidney damage. The ministry has urged the public and salon owners to immediately cease the use, purchase, and sale of the product. The alert was prompted by a case where a teenager was hospitalized after undergoing a hair straightening procedure at a home salon. Investigations revealed that the DRAGONFLY packaging still bore a health ministry approval mark, despite the product's license being revoked at the manufacturer's request, removing it from the official registry of approved cosmetics. The manufacturer has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the product. This incident is not isolated; the ministry has received several reports in the past two months of individuals being hospitalized after chemical hair straightening treatments. An expert committee has established a direct link between products containing glyoxylic acid and acute kidney injury. Consequently, licenses for such products have been canceled, and their sale, distribution, and use in Israel will be prohibited starting February 2026. Additional restrictions apply to formaldehyde, a carcinogen, which is also banned in cosmetics due to health risks. The Ministry of Health advises seeking services only from licensed salons and verifying that any product used is registered in the official cosmetics registry. Consumers should check packaging information carefully, as a ministry approval mark does not guarantee a valid license. The ministry also recommends avoiding the procedure on irritated or damaged scalps, applying products at least 1.5 cm from the skin, and ensuring good ventilation. Special caution is advised for individuals under 16, with the ministry recommending they avoid such procedures due to potential health risks. Modifying cosmetic product formulas or adding chemicals is strictly forbidden and constitutes a criminal offense. Symptoms of kidney damage to watch for after hair straightening include significantly reduced or absent urination, facial and limb swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, extreme weakness, and exhaustion. Shortness of breath, confusion, or clouded consciousness also warrant immediate medical attention. When seeking help, patients should inform medical staff about the product used, if known. The ministry is continuing its investigation and provides a hotline (*5400) for checking product legality and obtaining further information.