To Dye or Not To Dye? Permanent Hair Dyes

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.

Read more: Beauty, Hair Care, Health & Safety, Holistic Beauty

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Darla G.

7:47PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

so not good news for those of us prematurely grey esp with dark hair. The silver worms are jsut not sexy;

send a green star

Kristina C.

11:34AM PST on Dec 28, 2011

Why is the U.S. always so far behind Europe when it comes to health issues????

Kath R.

10:20AM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Letting your hair age naturally can be a good thing.

Joy W.

6:45PM PST on Nov 6, 2011

Thanks for the info.

Tim C.

9:18AM PDT on Oct 20, 2011

thanks Annie

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/thank-2-randy-paynter-care2-team/

KARLOLINA G.

4:52AM PDT on Oct 20, 2011

Thanks

Syedah J.

8:11PM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

Please check out the following link before panicking about cancer and hair dye:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/hair-dyes

Summarized: increased cancer risk is from dye that was made before 1980, not current dyes. Also, when there was higher risk, it was seen in semi permanent dyes as well as permanent dyes (also before 1980).

Berny P.

5:17AM PDT on Jul 31, 2011

Thanks for the info!

Michele W.

4:58AM PDT on Jul 31, 2011

Thank you

Lupe G.

12:46PM PDT on May 18, 2011

I am too lazy to wear make-up & style/dye my hair but a little over 2 months ago, I began using non-permanent hair dye to hide my grey hair since it is noticable in my dark brown hair. I think in the back of my mind I knew if it wasn't something organic or natural that it was probably bad but I tricked myself into believing that if it wasn't permanent that it couldn't be that hazardous. I guess I know better despite my vanity!