Dangerous straightening: Dragonfly banned after teen hospitalized

Health Ministry warns of dangers of using DRAGONFLY hair straightener after teenage girl hospitalized with kidney damage

An inspection by the Ministry of Health showed that the license for the drug was revoked at the request of the manufacturer. Although the label says “Licensed by the Ministry of Health”, the product is no longer listed on the Ministry’s cosmetics register.

The Ministry of Health has received a report of the hospitalization of a teenage girl with kidney damage after a hair straightening procedure carried out in a home hairdresser salon.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health warns the public and professionals about the dangers of using, selling and distributing the DRAGONFLY hair straightening product and calls for an immediate end to its use and sale.

An inspection conducted by the Ministry of Health showed that the label of the product has the inscription “Licensed by the Ministry of Health”. However, the license for the product was revoked at the manufacturer's request and the product is currently not on the ministry's cosmetics register.

As part of the investigation into the circumstances of the incident, the Ministry of Health asked the manufacturer for clarification, but so far no response has been received.

Over the past two months, the Ministry of Health has received several reports of hospitalizations after hair straightening procedures.

A professional expert commission has established a clear causal relationship between the use of hair straightening products containing glyoxylic acid and the development of acute kidney damage.

Due to the results obtained, the Ministry of Health has revoked licenses for cosmetics containing this component. Since February 2026, their distribution, sale and use in Israel have been banned.

In addition, in Israel, the use of formaldehyde in cosmetics is prohibited, a substance known for its carcinogenic properties.

The Ministry of Health is taking this case seriously and warns that the use of hair straightening products that are sold in violation of the law or contain prohibited components may pose a danger to public health.

The Ministry calls on citizens and owners of hairdressers to immediately stop using the DRAGONFLY product, to abandon its purchase and sale.

Ministry of Health Recommendations for Safe Hair Straightening

The Ministry of Health recommends that:

Conduct hair straightening procedures only in hairdressers with a valid license to conduct activities.

Make sure that the cosmetics used are legally sold in Israel and registered in the Ministry of Health’s Cosmetic Registry.

Verify the conformity of the information on the product label with the data specified in the official register and do not rely solely on the labels on the packaging.

Refrain from hair straightening procedures in the presence of damage or irritation of the scalp.

Make sure that the product is applied at a distance of at least 1.5 cm from the scalp, and the procedure itself is carried out in a well-ventilated room.

Avoid hair straightening procedures for children and adolescents under 16 years of age.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the addition of various substances to cosmetic products, including glyoxylic acid or formaldehyde, dilution of products or any change in their composition after production poses a serious health hazard and is a criminal offense.

Any change in product composition invalidates the safety assessment carried out for the product and may result in exposure to hazardous substances at unknown concentrations.

What symptoms should I seek medical attention immediately?

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that if unusual symptoms appear after the hair straightening procedure, you should immediately seek medical help.

These symptoms include:

Significant decrease in the amount of urine excreted or complete absence of urination.

Swelling of the face, legs or ankles.

Nausea and vomiting.

Abdominal or back pain.

Severe exhaustion and severe weakness.

Breathlessness.

Confusion of consciousness or a sense of blurred consciousness.

When seeking medical help, it is necessary to report information about the hair straightening product used, if known.

The Ministry of Health continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident and will inform the public as necessary in accordance with the results obtained.

You can check the registration of cosmetics in the official register of the Ministry of Health:

https://registries.health.gov.il/Cosmetics

For information and additional information, you can contact the information center of the Ministry of Health "Kol Ha-Briyut" by phone *5400.