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To Dye or Not To Dye? Permanent Hair Dyes

posted by Annie B. Bond Oct 20, 1999 4:47 pm
To Dye or Not To Dye? Permanent Hair Dyes
17 comments

If you use permanent hair dyes at least once a month you should
know about a 2001 study from researchers at the University of
Southern California that analyzed the association between hair
dying activity and bladder cancer.

There was no association between semi-permanent or temporary
hair dyes and bladder cancer. (See Safer Ways to Color Your
Hair.
)

While the study was not a clinical cancer trial, it did make a
determination of those who are at highest risk from use of
permanent dyes:

* Women who use permanent, hair dyes once a month for 1 year or longer have twice the risk of bladder cancer.

* Women who use permanent hair dyes for 15 or more years at least monthly have three times the risk of bladder cancer using permanent dyes for 15 or more years when the dyes are used monthly or more frequently.

* Those who have worked as hair dressers or barbers for 10 years or more have five times the risk of bladder cancer.

The researchers note that the exposure of concern is to a family of chemicals called Arylamines, an ingredient in many oxidative hair dyes, which is a known risk factor for bladder cancer and found to cause cancer in experimental animals.

The study was considered of enough concern in Europe that the European Commission, a body that drafts legislation for the European Union, has changed their policy to demand information from manufacturers about ingredients contained in hair dyes. The United States does not required manufacturers to file data on ingredients or report cosmetic-related injuries.

Darker hair dyes cause higher risk because of the increased number of chemicals.

More on Hair Care (59 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3272 articles available)

17 comments

17 comments

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17 Comments       add a comment »
Steven J.

There is a company that produces a line of hair colors that is completely free of harmful chemicals like PPD, ammonia, resorcinol. pthalates, coal tar dyes, amines, etc. The company is called Advanced Cosmetic Technologies and you can find them at www.actnaturals.com

They are salon quality and actually leave your hair beautifully conditioned!

Take a look and color away!!

Freda Brown

I was most alarmed by this report as I have/had bladder cancer. I've had small tumours removed twice, but last year's scan was clear. I have often wonderd what caused this to happen as I have quite a healthy lifestyle. I regularly use a lightener on my hair just to give it highlights. I'm now wondering if there could possibly be a conection, although checking through the ingredients on my current product, I cannot find arylamines listed, but is this a generic name for other components?

Pooja M.

Hi Friends ,

I am od asian origin and have premature greying which was genetic from my parents.I am 33 and have been dyieng my hair for last 10 years with permanent colours like loreal , garneir , also tried ammonia free colours but my hair are colour resistence. Now i have severe allergy to dyes ...my scalp is itchy and red and my hair have gone very thin ..i am scared i might loose all my hair in a year oe two if i continue like this ..help ..what is this indigo ? i would like to try it NINA since i belong to india henna is easily available...i do not mind the hassle of it just something to releave me of my itchy scalp and hair sheding. i was trying for Aveda but i see its not that good as people tell you its is.

Sandra Marsh

Gray is Beautiful!! Why would anyone want to color natural gray hair that's shiny and clean with black or henna guck?? Take the money you will save and buy yourselves something super pretty that you've been wanting for a long time!! Love yourselves the way you are!! :-> God bless...

Michelann D.

Hi Annie, what is the name of the brand that you are using. I would like to try it. Thanks!

Michelann D.

Annie what is the name of it. I would like to try it. thanks

Nina Mbengue

I started using Mountain Light Natural Cover the Gray Henna after my January post. It is a 2-step process and contains a bag of henna and a bag of indigo. The henna first turns your roots orangey-pink, then you mix up and add in the indigo and that turns your orangey-pink hair black. It's kind of a pain, takes a while and only seems to last a few weeks (I have very resistant gray roots on Afro-American hair), but the itchy scalp is gone, my bald spot is going and my hair is thicker! Be careful of the herbal dyes, including Aveda, that you find in the health food stores - they STILL contain small amounts of the ingredient in question. I believe it is p-Phenylenediamine and it does cause allergic reactions such as severely itchy scalp in some people(caused mine to swell and ooze) as well as being linked to cancer. Apparently it is the p-Phenylenediamine that causes the color to stick (especially for dark and black color), NOT the herbs, and they all contain it even if they tout themselves as natural.
Nina Mbengue
Aurora

Nina Mbengue

I started using Mountain Light Natural Cover the Gray Henna after my January post. It is a 2-step process and contains a bag of henna and a bag of indigo. The henna first turns your roots orangey-pink, then you mix up and add in the indigo and that turns your orangey-pink hair black. It's kind of a pain, takes a while and only seems to last a few weeks (I have very resistant gray roots on Afro-American hair), but the itchy scalp is gone, my bald spot is going and my hair is thicker! Be careful of the herbal dyes, including Aveda, that you find in the health food stores - they STILL contain small amounts of the ingredient in question. I believe it is p-Phenylenediamine and it does cause allergic reactions such as severely itchy scalp in some people(caused mine to swell and ooze) as well as being linked to cancer. Apparently it is the p-Phenylenediamine that causes the color to stick (especially for dark and black color), NOT the herbs, and they all contain it even if they tout themselves as natural.
Nina Mbengue
Aurora

Shenahn Colby

my beautician is using a new clairol natural product that can only be purchased by a professional in a beauty supply store. the ingredients were checked against my list of harmful chemicals, and the dye contained only 1 iffy ingredient. my hair is dyed monthly, and the color holds up better than any other run of the mill hair dye. have your beautician check her sources for this new product.

Annie T.

I have dyed my hair with the Clairol or Wella permanent hair dye for quite a number of years and developed a very itchy scalp and losing hair at quite an alarming rate: I had heard about the dangers of these dyes and never took it seriously until now - so I've quit using them, but am now faced with the deleamor of how to cover my grey hair. I tried henna which only succeeded in turning my roots orangey brown, so Anne, we need your help/suggestions on what products are out there and the best way to use them in transitioning from the old ways to the natural, please!

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  • Excerpt: Hair Color Highlights Nice entry. You made some great points.
  • Blog: Jack
  • Tracked: Nov 23, 2008 10:13 pm

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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