Acute kidney injury caused by past exposure to hair straightening procedures has been studied in 26 patients by researchers.
Highlights:
Keratin-based hair straightening is a popular hairstyling treatment. In Israel, most of these products contain glycolic acid derivatives, often considered safe when used topically. These products have the potential for systemic absorption, and anecdotal reports have linked them to acute kidney injury (AKI). Researchers have presented a series of cases of severe AKI caused by hair-straightening treatment in Israel over the last few years.
- The increased popularity of hair straightening has become a medical issue
- The glycolic acid present in hair straightening products can damage the proximal tubule cells leading to acute kidney injury (AKI)
- The most common finding in kidney biopsies was acute oxalate nephropathy
Kidney Damage Linked with Use of Hair-Straightening Products
Researchers identified 26 patients from 14 Israeli medical facilities who had severe kidney damage and indicated prior use of hair-straightening products between 2019 and 2022.
Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure- Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications
Acute renal failure is the sudden cessation of the functioning of kidneys, that can be due to reduced renal blood flow, damage to renal tissues.
Acute renal failure is the sudden cessation of the functioning of kidneys, that can be due to reduced renal blood flow, damage to renal tissues.
‘Patients with a prior history of hair straightening treatments had features of tubular damage and acute kidney injury due to the absorption of glycolic acid derivative present in the products and its conversion to oxalate.’
How Hair Straightening Can be Detrimental for Health
The 26 patients who participated in the study had a median age of 28.5 years (14-58 years) and got severe acute kidney injury after having their hair straightened. The most prevalent symptoms were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. A scalp rash occurred in 10 (38%) of the individuals. Following a repeat hair-straightening procedure, two individuals suffered a recurring bout of AKI. Seven individuals had kidney biopsies. The findings revealed intra-tubular calcium oxalate deposition in six people and tubular cell microcalcification in one person. Signs of acute tubular damage were observed in all samples, and an interstitial infiltrate was found in four of them. Three individuals required short-term dialysis.However, the study was a retrospective-uncontrolled study with a small number of kidney biopsies.
The study paper reports acute renal impairment cases caused by earlier hair straightening treatment exposure. Acute oxalate nephropathy was the most common finding in kidney biopsies, which may be connected to glycolic acid derivative absorption and conversion to oxalate. This case series suggests a previously unknown etiology of AKI in a young healthy population. More research is needed to validate this link and determine the scope of this condition, as well as its etiology.
Drug-Induced Kidney Disease | Nephrotoxicity
Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is caused by nephrotoxic drugs or toxins which damage kidneys and can lead to nephritis or renal toxicity. The causative drug must be identified and its use must be avoided which can otherwise lead to high levels of toxins and severe damage to kidneys.
Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is caused by nephrotoxic drugs or toxins which damage kidneys and can lead to nephritis or renal toxicity. The causative drug must be identified and its use must be avoided which can otherwise lead to high levels of toxins and severe damage to kidneys.
Nanotechnology Helps Treat Acute Kidney Injury
A novel nanotechnology approach has been used to create nanostructures that can help prevent and treat acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a serious medical disorder that exhibits high mortality rates.
A novel nanotechnology approach has been used to create nanostructures that can help prevent and treat acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a serious medical disorder that exhibits high mortality rates.
Vitamin B3 can Help Treat Acute Kidney Injury
New, accessible treatment was identified to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis becomes impaired during injury and can be restored with vitamin B3.
New, accessible treatment was identified to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis becomes impaired during injury and can be restored with vitamin B3.
