Between unbearable pains, diagnosis of renal failure and national health alert, Brazilian smoothing shows a much darker side than it seems.
“”At 27, I have the kidneys of an 80 -year -old“”
Claire, 27, resident of Sables-d’Olonne, did not imagine that her smooth hair quest was going to turn in the nightmare. She tells her story to the media news.fr. After a successful first smoothing in 2024, she renewed the experience last June. A few hours later, the first symptoms appeared: “Around 7 p.m., I felt the first symptoms: I had a very stomach ache and I was tired“The next day, the pain intensifies, but it puts them on the account of an excess of sport until the pain returns in the evening, much more important to the point that it goes to the emergency room.
In the emergency room, examinations reveal renal failure. Doctors quickly establish the link with Brazilian smoothing: “It is proven that I was poisoned by glyoxylic acid. Except that, in cosmetics, manufacturers are not required to include the list of all the components. “
The observation is brutal: “This glyoxylic acid has gnaw my kidneys. At 27, I have the kidneys of an 80 -year -old person!“. If his kidneys could have been saved thanks to rapid management, after -effects persist: pain after certain meals, fatigue during simple efforts.
Today, Claire is no longer hesitant to testify: “Having a Brazilian smoothing is not trivial. It’s dangerous, it has to be known!“.
ANSES confirms the risk of acute renal failure
The National Health Security Agency (ANSES) published an alarming statement in January 2025. “Glyoxylic acid, used in hair straightening products, can cause acute renal failure: this is confirmed by handles after examining the scientific data available on the toxicity of this substance “. The alert is not new: after a first report in 2024, ANSES and the authorities had warned professionals and consumers. Since then, new cases of acute renal failure linked to these products have been recorded.
For the agency, the danger is serious: “After analyzing the available scientific data, the agency confirms that glyoxylic acid is most likely the cause of acute renal insufficiency“. While waiting for regulatory measures, ANSES calls for caution:”It recommends avoiding the hair straightening products containing glyoxylic acid “. She also asked manufacturers to re -examine the safety of their products and better supervise their marketing.
Symptoms and emergency numbers to know
Symptoms of acute renal failure often appear within hours of exposure: abdominal or lumbar pain, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue.
ANSES insists: “In the event of symptoms quickly consult a doctor or call an anti -poison center“.
Here are the emergency numbers for anti -poison centers:
- Angers: 02 41 48 21 21
- Bordeaux: 05 56 96 40 80
- Lille: 08 00 59 59 59
- Lyon: 04 72 11 69 11
- Marseille: 04 91 75 25 25
- Nancy: 03 83 22 50 50
- Paris: 01 40 05 48 48
- Toulouse: 05 61 77 74 47
Towards a ban at European level?
In January, ANSES recommended “to carry out a risk assessment in order to rule, within the framework of the European Cosmetics Regulation, on a restriction or even a prohibition of the use of this substance in hair care products “. In addition, beyond this single compound, the agency also recommended to expand this evaluation to the various glyoxylic acid derivatives used in smoothing products.