A 17-year-old girl was hospitalized with severe acute kidney failure after undergoing a hair-straightening treatment, Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem reported this week, renewing concerns over the safety of certain cosmetic hair products.
The teenager was admitted to the hospital’s pediatric department after experiencing vomiting, dizziness and intense headaches. Doctors diagnosed her with acute kidney failure, and she remained hospitalized for several days. She was discharged on Monday and will continue receiving outpatient care through the hospital’s pediatric nephrology institute.
Her case follows a similar incident reported just over a month ago, in which a 25-year-old woman also developed kidney failure after a hair-straightening procedure.
Medical experts say these cases are part of a wider pattern. A 2023 study led by Prof. Linda Shavit, head of Shaare Zedek’s nephrology institute, together with Dr. Alon Benaya, documented 26 cases nationwide involving women aged 14 to 58 who arrived at emergency departments with severe kidney failure despite having no prior medical conditions.
According to the study, all of the patients had undergone hair-straightening treatments that contained glyoxylic acid, a chemical commonly used in some cosmetic hair products. In response to the findings, Israel’s Health Ministry revoked the licenses of dozens of cosmetics containing the substance.
Prof. Shavit emphasized the importance of strict safety precautions when using hair-straightening products. “It is essential not to apply hair-straightening products directly to the scalp or the hair roots, but to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 centimeters,” she said. She also warned that both hairstylists and clients should avoid heating the products and must follow manufacturers’ instructions carefully.
Health officials continue to urge the public and beauty professionals to remain vigilant, as investigations into the long-term risks of glyoxylic acid–based hair treatments remain ongoing.
