Health Authorities Warn Against Risks of Hair Straightening Products

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) has issued a warning regarding the health risks associated with certain hair straightening products, particularly those involved in Brazilian hair straightening procedures. This announcement was made in conjunction with the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) and the Ministry of Health.

The alert, made public on Wednesday, October 16, highlights the dangers of products containing glyoxylic acid, a chemical agent used to maintain hair’s smooth and shiny appearance for several months. This compound has been linked to acute renal failure in some users. Since the beginning of the year, Anses has received reports of four such cases, three of which required hospitalization.

Juliette Bloch, Director of Alerts and Vigilance at Anses, emphasized the urgency of communicating these risks, particularly to younger demographics. “We need to spread the message, particularly among young people, to avoid Brazilian hair straightening,” she stated. According to Bloch, the procedure, which involves the application of keratin followed by heat, is not exclusively for Afro hairstyles and poses significant health risks.

The symptoms of renal failure can appear within hours of exposure to glyoxylic acid. Affected individuals may experience abdominal or lower back pain, nausea, or vomiting. In some instances, these conditions have required intensive medical treatment.

Currently, there are no restrictions on the use of glyoxylic acid in cosmetics, although it replaced formaldehyde, banned for its carcinogenic properties in 2019. Anses is conducting a toxicological evaluation of glyoxylic acid’s renal impacts. The outcome of this study, expected by the end of the year, may lead to regulatory changes at the European level, potentially imposing restrictions or bans on the substance.