Israeli Health Ministry Warns of Kidney Failure Risk from Hair Straightening Product

An Israeli woman was hospitalized in intensive care with severe kidney failure after using a hair straightening treatment at a home salon in Hadera. The Health Ministry has filed a police complaint and issued a public warning against the hair straightening product LEGEND, marketed by Chazi Eden, suspecting it to be counterfeit. Initial investigations revealed discrepancies between the product used and the original factory-made version, prompting an immediate halt on its sale and distribution until further laboratory tests are completed.

Professor Adi Leiba, head of the Nephrology and Hypertension Institute at Assuta Ashdod Hospital, told N12 that kidney damage cases linked to hair straightening treatments are more common in Israel than in many other countries. He explained that these products often contain harmful chemicals such as glycolate and glyoxylate, which can be absorbed through the scalp, especially when heat is applied, leading to symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis.

Medical teams investigate each kidney injury case by identifying the chemicals used and the salon involved. While many patients recover with hospitalization and fluid therapy, some require dialysis. The Health Ministry strongly advises avoiding hair straightening products containing glycolate, glyoxylate, or oxalate and warns against purchasing from unauthorized sources or using products altered post-manufacture, which is illegal and dangerous.

The ministry urges anyone experiencing symptoms such as reduced urine output, facial or limb swelling, nausea, extreme fatigue, abdominal or back pain, or shortness of breath after hair straightening to seek immediate medical attention and provide details about the treatment and product used.