Keratin hair remedies have turn out to be the go-to salon answer for anybody who needs poker-straight hair. However a latest case research has highlighted the disturbing expertise of a girl who ended up with acute kidney damage as a consequence of components current within the hair straightening merchandise. Moreover an irritated and itchy scalp, in addition to allergy symptoms and rashes, extreme unwanted side effects of keratin hair therapy additionally embrace respiratory points and liver issues.

In line with the case research revealed in The New England Journal of Drugs (NEJM), sure components utilized in such procedures might harm our bodily features. The 26-year-old girl had undergone the process at a salon thrice between 2020 to 2022. Each go to was adopted by fever, nausea, diarrhea and again ache. Medical doctors are stated to have discovered excessive creatinine ranges in her blood, signaling that her kidneys weren’t functioning usually. The report additionally acknowledged that the girl didn’t have any kidney ailment points beforehand, elevating the query, “Are keratin hair remedies secure for kidneys?”

What’s Keratin?

Keratin is a protein that may be present in our hair, pores and skin, and nails. These elements are like bricks that make them sturdy. “To have straightened hair, folks usually use keratin remedies in order that they’ll get a clean and smooth look of the hair. It seems to be prefer it provides an additional layer of safety and makes the hair extra controllable thereby lowering frizz as properly,” explains dermatologist Dr Priyanka Kuri.

The construction of every particular person hair strand will seem smoother and straighter after being bolstered by the penetration of keratin into their shafts. This research, revealed in Inner Journal of Beauty Science, noticed that keratin therapy improved the standard of hair strands by 40 p.c. It smoothened them in addition to elevated their power.

Can Keratin therapy result in kidney harm?

In line with specialists, the explanation behind the girl’s kidney harm linked to keratin remedies could possibly be the presence of sure chemical compounds like formaldehyde or its releasers, akin to glyoxyloyl carbocysteine. “These chemical compounds, whereas utilized in ‘formaldehyde-free’ hair-smoothing merchandise, can nonetheless launch formaldehyde when uncovered to warmth. Formaldehyde and its by-products like glyoxylate have potential nephrotoxic results, which means they’ll hurt the kidneys,” says inner medication physician Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar.

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Extended publicity to excessive warmth throughout these remedies can even harm the hair, resulting in structural protein destruction and weakening of the hair shaft. Moreover this, specialists have identified within the research that the presence of glyoxylic acid in such merchandise might result in a kidney ailment often called oxalate nephropathy.

What’s oxalate nephropathy?

Oxalate nephropathy is a situation the place calcium oxalate crystals construct up within the kidneys, inflicting harm and making them not work as properly, states this research, revealed in Medical Kidney Journal. “This will occur for various causes, like consuming meals which are excessive in oxalates or taking sure medicines,” says Dr Kuri. On this situation, the kidneys get clogged up with these crystals, which may result in ache within the facet, issues with passing urine, and typically blood within the urine.

Different keratin unwanted side effects that you need to know

Hair straightening remedies—particularly these involving chemical relaxers or keratin remedies—have plenty of potential unwanted side effects:

1. Scalp irritation

Chemical relaxers, in addition to sure sorts of keratin therapy may cause irritation: this results in the scalp being purple, itchy, and uncomfortable. This research, revealed by Nationwide Institute of Well being, states that using chemical hair straighteners can result in eczema, desquamation, ache, burns, and irritation in your scalp.

2. Hair harm

Chemical relaxers additionally embrace heat-based straightening strategies that weaken hair shafts leading to breakage and leaves them dry with cut up ends if wrongly utilized or finished too usually. The above talked about research, additionally claims that getting such remedies finished can usually lead to hair loss, hair harm and alternation in color as properly.

3. Allergic reactions

Keratin unwanted side effects embrace allergic reactions to akin to chemical compounds utilized in making these substances by some people are accompanied by signs like a rash, swellings and even hives.

4. Respiratory points

Formaldehyde, a typical ingredient in some hair straightening remedies, can launch vapours that irritate the respiratory tract. The truth is, this research, revealed in Toxicology and Industrial Well being, states that the Formaldehyde can even result in growth of bronchial asthma signs or trigger respiration difficulties.

5. Eye and pores and skin irritation:

Direct contact with sure chemical compounds utilized in hair straightening remedies, akin to formaldehyde or lye, may cause irritation and burns to the eyes and pores and skin if not dealt with correctly. The Worldwide Journal of Trichology has a broadcast research that states keratin remedies can result in eczema-like psoriasiform pores and skin reactions.

6. Well being dangers

In excessive instances, extended publicity to sure chemical compounds utilized in hair straightening remedies might pose long-term well being dangers, together with potential harm to the liver, kidneys, or typically respiratory system.

Issues to bear in mind earlier than keratin therapy

When getting these remedies finished, it’s essential to maintain the next suggestions in thoughts:

• Learn the label: Test the components of the product getting used. Keep away from remedies containing formaldehyde, methylene glycol, or comparable compounds.
• Guarantee correct air flow: Go for remedies in well-ventilated areas to reduce inhaling dangerous fumes.
• Management temperature and humidity: Attempt to do remedies in locations that aren’t too scorching or humid to reduce heat-related harm to the hair and potential launch of dangerous chemical compounds.
• Keep hydrated: Drink loads of water earlier than and after remedies to assist flush out any toxins that is perhaps absorbed in the course of the course of.
• Keep away from concurrent use of different poisonous merchandise: Minimise publicity to extra toxins that would worsen the consequences of the therapy on each hair and well being.
• Prioritise well being over magnificence: Keep in mind that your well being ought to all the time come first. Don’t sacrifice your well-being for the sake of beauty enhancements.

FAQs

How usually do you have to get keratin therapy finished?

This is dependent upon your hair. However as a rule, keratin remedies shouldn’t be finished greater than 3 times a yr if you wish to keep away from keratin unwanted side effects. Should you go over and above this quantity, anticipate to face hair harm.

Who shouldn’t get keratin therapy finished?

If you’re pregnant, steer clear of such hair straightening procedures. Apart from this, if you’re delicate to allergy symptoms, then keratin may not be best for you. Additionally, folks affected by bronchial asthma or different respiratory issues ought to chorus from such remedies.