Nowadays, many people are used to coloring their hair, that is, dyeing it. Some people use different colors to cover up their gray hair, while others use them as a fashion statement . So, have you ever picked up a box of hair dye from the store and thought, "Oh, I bought this a while ago... is it still good?"? Maybe you've even wondered if you can use some of the leftover hair dye one day. What happens if you use expired hair dye? Is it bad for your body? Let's talk about this today.
What is this hair dye actually made of?
Hair dye is a chemical compound that is made by combining different chemicals. These chemicals vary depending on the color we want to give our hair. Simply put, hair dye works through a series of chemical reactions. Here are some of the main ingredients in hair dye.
- Ammonia: This lightens the natural color of our hair and opens up the pores of the hair shaft, allowing the new color to penetrate better. It also increases the pH of the hair dye, helping the chemical reaction that causes the color change.
- Hydrogen Peroxide : This is something you use to clean your home, remove stains, etc. In hair dye, it strips the natural color from your hair. This is when the new color shows up best.
- Paraphenylenediamine (PPD): This is a naturally colorless chemical. However, when it is oxidized with hydrogen peroxide, it forms brown particles. It can also combine with other chemicals to form other colors.
Does hair dye really expire?
Yes, definitely. The chemicals mentioned above are not always the same. Over time, their properties deteriorate or evaporate.
Think about hydrogen peroxide. Over time, the extra oxygen molecule in it breaks down, and it turns into just water. Then it doesn't do its job of removing hair color properly.
This is why, when we use expired hair dye, we may not get the color we expect . Maybe the hair does not absorb any color at all, or it may turn out a different color than we expected.
You can usually see two types of expiration dates on a hair dye package:
1. Shelf-life expiration date: This is on the outside of the hair dye box. This date tells you how long an unopened hair dye will last. If used after this date, its effectiveness may be reduced.
2. Opened expiration date: This is usually found on the top of the hair dye bottle. It's not a date, but a symbol with a picture of a small opened bottle, a number, and the letter 'M'. For example, if it says '12M', it means that the bottle should be used within 12 months of opening .
The most important thing is that after you mix the hair dye and developer (the liquid that activates the color) together, any leftovers cannot be reused. They must be thrown away.
Is using hair dye really dangerous for the body?
There are different opinions on this. Generally, if used safely, there is no big problem. However, some people can be sensitive to the ingredients in hair dye. And if used incorrectly, it can cause serious health problems .
Let's see what the main problems that may arise are.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact Allergies and Hair Loss | This can be caused by an allergic reaction that occurs when something harmful comes into contact with the skin. Areas like the scalp, face, and hands can become red, itchy, and have rashes, and sometimes even hair loss. Most of the time, this is caused by a chemical called PPD. |
| Asthma and breathing difficulties | The strong smell of chemicals like ammonia in hair dye is harmful to our respiratory system. Therefore, if you dye your hair at home, you should do it in a well-ventilated area . Hairdressers in particular should be careful about this. |
| Poisoning | Hair dye is never a good thing to ingest. If you accidentally drink hair dye, it is a very serious poisoning. If you are not admitted to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately, it can even lead to death. If this happens, immediately inform the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . |
| Effects on hormones | Animal studies have shown that some ingredients in hair dye can affect fetal development and thyroid hormone production. Further research is needed in humans. |
What about cancer risk?
This is also a topic that many people talk about.
- Breast Cancer: Some studies have shown that certain chemicals in hair dye may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer . However, further studies are needed on this.
- Other cancers: Although there is research on bladder cancer and hematopoietic cancer, there are still controversial results regarding a direct link between hair dye and these cancers.
In general, hair dye is safe to use. However, if you have allergies or sensitive skin, you should use it with extreme caution . If you have any concerns, see your doctor.
How do we use hair dye safely?
To avoid potential health problems from hair dye, be sure to consider these points.
- Follow all instructions on the package exactly.
- Before applying it to your hair, do a patch test to see if you have an allergy. This means applying a small amount of the dye to the inside of your elbow and leaving it there for 24-48 hours. Only use it if there is no redness or itching.
- Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes at home. There are special products for that.
- Do not leave hair dye on your hair longer than the instructions state.
- When you're done dyeing your hair, rinse your scalp thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Be sure to wear gloves when applying hair dye.
- Never mix different types of hair dye products together.
- Keep hair dye out of the reach of small children .
Take-Home Message
- Before using a hair dye, be sure to check its expiration date and the expiration date after opening (PAO symbol).
- Using expired hair dye will not give you the color you want, and there is a higher risk of skin allergies.
- Always do a patch test for allergies before dyeing your hair.
- Hair dye is very toxic if ingested. Always keep it away from small children.
- If you experience a severe allergic reaction to hair dye, see your doctor immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න