Nowadays, many people, both young and old, use hair dye to color their hair , highlight it, or cover gray hair. This has become very common. However, a big question on the minds of many people is, "Will using this hair dye be harmful to the body? Can it cause serious diseases like cancer?" What is the truth or not of this story? Let's talk about this in detail today.
What chemicals are in hair dye?
First, we need to understand how hair dye works. Permanent hair dyes, which permanently change the color of your hair, contain the most chemicals. Temporary dyes, which wash out when you shampoo, are less risky.
Permanent hair dyes can contain thousands of different chemicals. The main ones are ammonia, aromatic amines, and hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals penetrate your hair shaft, changing its natural color and creating a new color.
When you dye your hair, a very small amount of these chemicals can be absorbed into your body through the skin on your scalp. You can also breathe them in along with the smell of the dye. But, just think about someone who works with hair dye all day in a salon or barbershop. They are exposed to a lot more of these chemicals than you are, who dye their hair every day.
Some chemicals in hair dyes can affect the functioning of hormones in our bodies. For example, the hormone estrogen. This hormone estrogen helps some breast cancers grow. Therefore, there has been some attention paid to this as well.
Remember, hair dyes produced before 1980 contained chemicals that were found to be carcinogenic. However, current products have removed those chemicals and used other compounds.
What does the research really say?
The results of research on hair dye and cancer are actually a bit conflicting. While some studies have shown a link, others have found no such link. That means it's not yet 100% proven that hair dye use alone causes cancer.
However, there are certain things that have drawn attention. Let's see what they are.
| Cancer type | What the research shows |
|---|---|
| Bladder Cancer | Some studies suggest that people who regularly use hair dye professionally, such as hairdressers and barbers, may have a slightly increased risk of developing bladder cancer. However, this risk has not been found in people who occasionally dye their hair. |
| Blood Cancers | Some studies have shown that the risk of developing blood cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia is slightly increased among people who use hair dye. This risk is particularly high for those who use dark colors (black, dark brown) and those who started using dye before 1980. |
| Breast Cancer | The research on this is also mixed. While some studies suggest an increased risk, others have found no link. The 2019 Sister Study found that women who used permanent hair dye had a 9% higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not. Another study found a 23% higher risk. But because these are observational studies, it is not possible to say for sure that hair dye is the only cause. |
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has reviewed the research. They concluded that while there is some evidence that people who work with hair dye professionally may be at risk of cancer, there is not enough evidence to prove that people who dye their hair themselves are at risk of cancer.
So, what should we do?
Simply put, the link between hair dye and cancer is not yet definitively established. So there is no need to be too worried about this. There is not just one factor that affects the development of cancer. Many other factors, such as your family history of diseases , genes, diet, and whether or not you smoke, affect this.
But if you have any concerns or doubts about this, there are a few simple steps you can follow.
- Choose natural products: You can choose natural hair dyes, such as vegetable-based ones. These may not hold color as well as chemical dyes, but they are less risky.
- Be careful during pregnancy : If you're expecting a baby, it's wise to avoid coloring your hair, especially during the first trimester . Doctors don't know exactly how these chemicals will affect the unborn baby. So it's best to be careful.
- Be aware of allergies: Some people can be allergic to hair dye. So, before applying a new dye to your hair, do a "patch test." This means applying a small amount of dye to a small area of skin, like behind your ear, and leaving it on for 24-48 hours to see if there is any itching or redness. If there is no reaction, apply it to your entire head.
- Use safely: Always wear gloves when applying the dye to your hair. Also, do not leave it on your hair for longer than the time recommended on the dye's instructions.
If you are concerned about your risk of cancer, especially if someone in your family has had cancer, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor about it . He or she can advise you on your individual risk.
Take-Home Message
- Current research suggests that the risk of developing cancer for someone who uses hair dye occasionally is very low. This has not yet been proven definitively.
- The risk may be slightly higher for people like salon workers who work with hair dye daily.
- If you are concerned about this, you can try using natural hair dyes, choosing light colors instead of dark colors, and reducing the frequency of use.
- Before using a new hair dye, it is important to do a patch test on a small area of skin to ensure there is no allergic reaction.
- If you have any concerns about your personal health risks, talk to your doctor about it and seek advice.
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