It is almost impossible these days to have at least one day of not running into at least one lady who has not had her hair dyed at least once in her lifetime. Studies show that more than 50 million women in the United States dye their hair on a regular basis, with many of them starting to use hair dyes from a very young age. Many more say that they will indeed use hair dyes once their hair starts to turn gray, as it is deemed to be the most satisfying solution to beauty concerns that come with aging.
But just like any other chemical add-on done for beauty, there are certain risks involved with using these hair products. In fact, one of the main chemicals found in most hair dyes has once been banned in many European countries. Scientific experiments have also shown a wide array of harmful effects coming from hair dye chemicals. Just what are these health risks?
1. Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions, ranging from skin to respiratory reactions, is reportedly the biggest risk for using hair dyes. It is not easy to get figures for how many hair dye user actually suffer from allergic reactions, because majority of these people do not actually seek medical assistance. But there are cases when the allergic reactions to chemicals in hair dyes have actually been severe, or, worse, fatal. A mild allergic reaction may come from an irritation on the rims of the person’s ears, or on her upper eyelids; a more severe reaction would involve the whole head or even body. Anaphylactic shock is a severe form of allergic reaction, wherein the tongue swells and the airways get constricted. While isolated, there have been cases wherein hair dyes have caused this reaction. Meanwhile, skin allergic reactions may happen when a person first uses the hair dye, but it can also happen to someone who has actually used the dye regularly for a while; this is because the immune system can still get sensitized when the dye is applied, increasing the chances of an allergic reaction in the future.
2. Asthma
Studies have shown that hair stylists actually have an increased chance of developing occupational asthma. This is linked to the persulfates found in bleaches and the PPD found in hair dyes. Experts explain that being exposed to these chemicals in the long-term causes the airways to become sensitized, which can result in asthma attacks upon exposure to them. In fact, studies have shown that hair stylists have a greater occurrence of asthma compared to the population average.
3. Cancer
Scientific studies of lab animals have shown that chemicals in hair dye, when given in high doses, indeed cause cancer by breaking down the DNA or cell in the animal’s body. In humans and in low doses, though, there is still an ongoing debate about how hair dye chemicals may be linked to cancer. The studies continue to be inconclusive, although new research has linked the use of hair dye to at least one specific type of cancer. The research studied groups of women with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma compared to a control group, and it showed that women with hair dye use before 1980, especially those of darker colors, had a higher risk of getting diagnosed with the disease. Also, studies of the rates of cancer among hairstylists give a sobering picture: a hairstylist who had used hair dyes for 5 or more years was found to have a risk of developing breast cancer three times than the average. Consistent studies also show the hair colorists had an increased chance of developing leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
So does that mean there is no way to dye your hair if you want a new look? Well, you still have the option of turning to hair dyes that come with natural ingredients. For example, henna comes from a plant, and gives you a permanent hair color change. Opt for 100% henna, or the body-art quality, as other blends may contain metals. Indigo, a blue dye used for dyeing jeans and also known as black henna, is also a good choice for dyeing your hair dark. Honey is another option that you can use if you want to lighten your blonde hair.
Overall, no ambition for beauty is enough to sacrifice your health over, and if you can opt for natural ingredients that also achieve the same results, the final decision should be automatic!
