A recent case documented in The New England Journal of Medicine outlines a situation where doctors detailed kidney injury in a young Tunisian woman following hair-straightening treatments at a salon.

The individual’s identity remains undisclosed. According to the report, the 26-year-old woman underwent hair-straightening procedures in June 2020, April 2021, and July 2022. Despite no prior health issues, she exhibited concerning symptoms after each session, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and back pain. Additionally, she noted experiencing a burning sensation on her scalp during the treatments and developed ulcers on her head. Medical professionals observed kidney dysfunction evidenced by elevated levels of creatinine in her blood, along with the presence of blood in her urine.

Despite conducting a CT scan, no indications of infection or blockage in her kidneys were found. Further inquiry revealed that the hair-straightening product utilized contained glyoxylic acid. Doctors concluded that this chemical likely caused the scalp burning and ulceration, subsequently being absorbed through the skin and leading to kidney impairment.

The medical staff found that her blood tested positive for increased plasma creatinine levels. Plasma creatinine is a waste product that comes from muscles – when it enters the blood, it is filtered out by kidneys.

The report also highlighted a concerning trend in Israel, where 26 patients experienced acute kidney injuries following “Brazilian-style” hair-straightening treatments.

Additionally, in 2022, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggested a potential link between chemical hair-straightening products and an increased risk of uterine cancer among women. Researchers pointed to the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in these products as a possible contributing factor to this risk.