“A health risk that could be underestimated because it is unknown.” Brazilian blowouts are still not harmless, according to the National Academy of Medicine. This technique, which involves opening the hair scales to inject a straightening treatment, leaves hair straight for several weeks or even months.
Several products used to achieve this alerted health authorities in 2010 because they contained a high concentration of formalin. “Qualified as carcinogenic, it was replaced, in 2013, by derivatives of glycolic acid (used in facial ‘peels’), in particular glyoxylic acid” in these products, explains the National Academy of Medicine in a statement this Thursday, June 6. .
Severe kidney damage
But this alternative would not be without dangers either: several scientific studies have revealed in recent years the harmful effects of these products on the kidneys. The National Academy of Medicine cites in particular a study conducted in Israel, in which 26 patients suffered severe acute kidney damage after undergoing Brazilian hair straightening, suggesting a relationship between the two.
However, “the use of these cosmetic products is clearly increasing among women, but also among men and, in particular, among populations with curly hair,” according to the scientific society.
For this reason, the latter recommends this Thursday “disseminate alert and information messages to health professionals, hairdressers and companies that sell cosmetic products based on these acids, in order to raise awareness about the risks of acute kidney failure that occur in the following 24 to 48 hours. technical procedures.
Better risk assessment required
He believes that people who practice Brazilian straightening should be informed of the potential risks of this technique and of the “signs of acute kidney failure, particularly acute abdominal pain, rapid-onset nausea and vomiting.” Furthermore, these straightening should not be carried out “in case of damage to the scalp or facial skin”, as this increases the risk of direct contact with glyoxylic acid and glycolic acid and, therefore, penetration .
Finally, the National Academy of Medicine recommends a better evaluation of the risk linked to the use of products based on glyoxylic and glycolic acids and establishing a profile of the most vulnerable patients. Many beauty products contain glycolic acid, such as serums or creams that are supposed to have exfoliating properties.
Source: BFM TV
