(Hai Fa – Haifa and the surrounding area news corporation) The Ministry of Health is warning the public against using a hair straightening product called "DRAGONFLY," after a girl was hospitalized with kidney damage following a hair straightening treatment performed at a home salon. The ministry's investigation shows that the product's license was revoked at the manufacturer's request, and that despite the words "licensed by the Ministry of Health" on the label, the product no longer appears in the ministry's cosmetics database.
License revoked and manufacturer unresponsive
The label of the product "DRAGONFLY" states "licensed by the Ministry of Health," but in reality the product's license was revoked at the manufacturer's request and it is no longer registered in the ministry's cosmetics database. As part of its investigation into the incident, the Ministry of Health contacted the manufacturer for comment, but no response has been received so far. The ministry calls on the public and professionals to immediately cease all use, marketing, or distribution of the product, and warns that one should not rely solely on the label on the packaging.
Proven link between glyoxylic acid and kidney damage
In the past two months, the Ministry of Health has received several reports of hospitalizations after hair straightening. A professional expert committee found a clear causal link between the use of hair straightening products containing glyoxylic acid and acute kidney injury. Following these findings, the Ministry of Health revoked the licenses for cosmetics containing this ingredient, and as of February 2026, their marketing, sale, and use in Israel were prohibited. In addition, formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is prohibited from use in cosmetics in Israel.
Ministry of Health safety recommendations
The Ministry of Health recommends that the public only perform hair straightening at salons with a valid business license, and to ensure that the cosmetics used are legally marketed and appear in the Ministry's cosmetics database. It should be ensured that the labeling information on the product matches the information appearing in the database. It is also recommended to avoid straightening when the scalp is damaged or irritated, and to be sure to apply the material at least 1.5 centimeters from the scalp and in a well-ventilated place. The Ministry recommends avoiding performing hair straightening on children and adolescents under the age of 16.
Warning against changes in product composition and symptoms requiring medical attention
The ministry emphasizes that adding substances such as glyoxylic acid or formaldehyde, diluting products or changing their composition after their manufacture, constitute a serious health hazard and a criminal offense. Any change in the composition of the product invalidates the safety assessment conducted for it and may expose users to hazardous substances in unknown concentrations.
If you experience any unusual symptoms after hair straightening, including a significant decrease in the amount of urine or no urination, swelling of the face, legs, or ankles, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, or a feeling of fogginess, you should seek immediate medical attention and state the details of the product used. For inquiries and additional information, you can contact the Health Voice hotline at *5400.