Can Keratin Treatment Cause Kidney Damage?

Many women worldwide avail keratin hair treatment to experience the benefits of having smooth, shiny and frizz-free hair. However, a recent study that has been doing the rounds on the internet says that keratin treatment might be causing kidney damage. This new revelation has created quite a stir in the world of salons and hair treatments. The evidence that comes with the study is sure to make you question if you should at all go for your keratin treatment appointment. Before you make any certain decisions, let’s deep dive into this recent study that has come out and what are the harmful side effects that you should be aware of before availing keratin treatment.

About The Study

According to the study published by The New England Journal of Medicine, a 26-year-old woman had developed kidney damage. It was reported that she started feeling symptoms after undergoing hair treatment procedures at a salon. The woman had no previous health conditions. However, after visiting the salon and getting her hair treated in June 2020, April 2021, and July 2022, she started experiencing symptoms like back pain, diarrhoea, fever, and vomiting. In addition, she had also reported feeling a burning sensation on her scalp during the hair treatment procedure. She also developed ulcers on her head shortly after the hair treatment. 

The doctors at The New England Journal of Medicine who published the case had found high levels of creatinine in the woman’s blood. High levels of creatinine in blood are a sign that the kidney is not functioning properly as it is supposed to. The doctors also found blood in the urine, however, there were no signs of infection and as per the imaging reports, there were no signs of blockage observed in the urinary system. 

For keratin hair treatment, the hair is treated with a straightening cream that contains the chemical glycolic acid, which is likely to have caused the burning sensation on the scalp and the ulcers. An Indian Express news article recently mentioned, as per the HOD of Nephrology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, Dr Urmila Anandh, “When glycolic acid metabolises, it becomes glyoxylic acid, and finally forms oxalate, which in turn harms the kidneys.” The formation of oxalate crystals can elevate the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Earlier, keratin-based hair treatment creams contained formaldehyde which was replaced by glycolic acid as a potentially safer alternative. 

The doctors at The New England Journal of Medicine experimented theorising that the acid likely got absorbed through the woman’s skin and reached her kidney through the bloodstream which got broken down to form oxalate crystals that caused kidney damage. The doctors who were treating the 26-year-old affected woman believe that this case should be taken as a warning of the potential dangers of using glycolic acid in hair treatments. In fact, they recommend that the use of products containing the said chemical should be avoided and ultimately removed from the market. 

Glycolic acid and its metabolised form, ‘glyoxylic acid’ both have a strong hair-straightening effect, as per a study published by PubMed. However, as per recent studies, it is likely that if you’re having symptoms of kidney damage, it might be because of the hair treatment products. So, here the wise thing is to be aware of the signs of kidney damage to help diagnose, treat and prevent kidney damage.

Signs of Kidney Damage

• Trouble concentrating and being productive: The buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood owing to poor kidney function can make you feel tired. It can be tough to concentrate and constantly be productive during work hours in such conditions. 
   
• Exhaustion: As previously pointed out, a severe decrease in kidney function causes the building up of toxins and impurities in the bloodstream which in turn makes you feel fatigued during the day. Apart from that anaemia is a complication of kidney disease which also contributes to exhaustion and weakness.
   
• Nausea and vomiting: A condition called ‘uremia’ can cause nausea and vomiting, which is a symptom of kidney failure. Uremia is a condition where too much urea is stored in the blood. 
   
• Muscle cramping: Poor kidney function can lead to an electrolyte imbalance that contributes to muscle cramping in different parts of the body. 
   
• Frequent urination: Poor kidney function often leads to the need to urinate frequently, especially at night. It happens when the kidney filters are damaged. 
   
• Blood in urine: A properly functioning kidney helps keep the blood cells in the bloodstream when filtering wastes to create urine. However, in a poorly functioning kidney, where the kidney filters have been damaged the blood cells may start to leak out into the urine. Also, the presence of urine in the blood may indicate infections or kidney stones
   
• Itchy or dry skin: A healthy kidney helps remove wastes and extra fluid from the body to keep the bones strong and store the right amount of minerals in your blood. However, when the kidney is no longer functioning properly, dry and itchy skin can be observed because the kidney is not able to keep the right amount of minerals and nutrients in the body.
   
• Poor appetite: Reduced kidney functions resulting in the buildup of toxins and impurities can lead to poor appetite in individuals.
   
• Swelling of ankles and feet: Sodium retention caused by a severe decrease in kidney function can cause swelling in feet and ankles. 

So can keratin treatment cause kidney damage?

According to recent studies, the chemicals glycolic acids and glyoxylic acids used in large amounts in keratin-based hair treatment products are harmful to kidney health. The American Journal of Kidney Diseases has also come up with similar findings. So, there is no dearth of evidence in this case. If you’re someone who seems to be suffering from the signs of kidney damage, listed above, make sure to visit MASSH. Our healthcare professionals can help you get diagnosed or prevent kidney damage to work towards a better health overall.