A recent case published in The New England Journal of Medicine sheds light on the dangers of salon hair-straightening treatments, with doctors detailing a woman’s experience of kidney damage following the procedure.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, visited the salon for the popular hair treatment multiple times between June 2020 and July 2022. However, after each visit, she experienced severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and back pain, along with a burning sensation on her scalp and the development of ulcers.
Doctors diagnosed kidney malfunction after detecting elevated levels of creatinine in her blood, coupled with blood in her urine. Despite a CT scan showing no signs of infection or kidney blockage, the woman’s symptoms persisted.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the hair-straightening cream used at the salon contained glyoxylic acid, a chemical suspected to have caused scalp burns and subsequent kidney damage. Experiments on mice suggested that the acid, absorbed through the skin, reached the kidneys and led to injury upon breakdown.
The woman experienced recurrent episodes of acute kidney injury due to oxalate nephropathy, a rare disorder characterized by the accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in kidney tubules, directly linked to the hair-straightening procedures involving glyoxylic acid.
Dr. Joshua David King, an associate professor at the University of Maryland, emphasized the need for safer alternatives to glyoxylic acid in hair-straightening products, advocating for regulatory measures to protect consumers from such health risks.
This case underscores the importance of caution and awareness when it comes to cosmetic treatments, urging consumers to prioritize safety and inquire about the ingredients used in salon procedures.
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