A woman experienced kidney damage on three separate occasions following hair-straightening treatments at a salon, with doctors attributing the organ injuries to one of the products used during the procedures.
In June 2020, April 2021, and July 2022, a 26-year-old woman underwent hair treatment sessions at a salon. Despite having no prior health issues, each visit led to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and back pain. The woman also reported experiencing scalp burning during the hair treatment and subsequently developed ulcers on her head.
Medical examinations revealed elevated levels of creatinine in her blood, indicating kidney malfunction. Although there were traces of blood in her urine, there were no signs of infection or blockage in her urinary system, as confirmed by a computed tomography (CT) scan.
During each salon visit, the woman’s hair was treated with a straightening cream containing glyoxylic acid. This ingredient likely caused the scalp irritation and ulcers, according to her doctors. Based on experiments with mice, they hypothesized that the acid, absorbed through her skin, reached her kidneys, causing damage upon breakdown.
Dr. Joshua David King, an expert not involved in the case, remarked that the study convincingly demonstrated the potential of hair straightening creams containing glyoxylic acid to cause kidney damage. He advocated for the elimination of glyoxylic acid from such products in favor of safer alternatives.
Hair-straightening and smoothing products are popular cosmetic treatments that temporarily alter hair fibers’ shape to reduce frizz. Traditionally, these products contained formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can release harmful gases when heated. However, glyoxylic acid has been increasingly used as a supposedly safer substitute.
Recent anecdotal reports suggest a possible association between glyoxylic acid-containing products and kidney injuries. To investigate this link further, doctors conducted a lab experiment with mice, applying the hair product to some mice’s backs. The following day, these mice exhibited calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals in their urine, a phenomenon not observed in the control group treated with petroleum jelly.
The woman’s kidney function improved quickly after each salon visit. Nonetheless, her case underscores the potential hazards of using glyoxylic acid in hair-straightening products, prompting doctors to advocate for avoiding and potentially discontinuing such products from the market.