Health Risks of Chemical Hair Dyes

8/3/2019 Health Risks of Chemical Hair Dyes

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Health Risks of Chemical Hair Dyes

What Should Hair Dye Users Know About the

Possible Health Risks Associated WithColoring Hair Chemically?

Over 50 million women in the US dye their hair regularly. Many more say they will once theystart to turn gray, and many girls use hair dyes from an early age. However, there are risks

associated with using these products. One of the main chemicals in most hair dyes was once

banned in several European countries, and hair dye chemicals have been shown to have a

variety of harmful effects in scientific experiments. Use of hair dye has been linked to allergic

reactions, respiratory disorders and even cancer.

Read on to learn more about the real risks associated with dyeing your hair, and the alternatives

to chemical hair coloring

Hair Dyes Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Skin and other allergic reactions pose the biggest risk to hair dye users. It's difficult to say howmany hair dye users suffer from allergic reactions, as most do not seek medical attention.

However, there are many cases where allergic reactions to hair dyes have been severe or even

fatal.

Signs of a mild reaction may only be irritation of the upper eyelids or rims of the ears, but in more

severe reactions, the whole head or body may be involved.


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A severe form of allergic reaction is anaphylactic shock. When this occurs, the mouth and tongue

swell and the airways constrict. Anaphylaxis can be rapidly fatal, and there have been isolated

cases of hair dyes causing anaphylactic shock.

Skin reactions can occur on a person's first exposure to hair dye, or can suddenly occur in a

person who has been using them long-term. A patch test before every dyeing is important to help

detect skin allergies, but very time dye is applied to the skin, the immune system may become

sensitized, increasing the risk of future allergic reaction.

Working as a hairstylist is associated with an increased risk of skin allergies. One review found

that 17-80% of stylists suffered from allergic reactions on contact with hair dye (Khumalo et al,

2006).

Allergic reactions are the most likely

side effects of hair dyesAn allergy can develop at any time, even if you haveused a dye before or done a patch test

Recent Reports of Serious Reactions to Hair DyeChloe Robins, 14, left with 'Elephant Man' head after allergic reaction to hair dye | Mail

Online

Chloe Robins, 14, pictured, from Swaythling near Southampton, was rushed to hospital after her mother

used a home dying kit.

Hair Dye Allergy Suspected in Teen Death - ABC News

The death of a British teen who screamed in agony and collapsed moments after coloring her hair has

put the spotlight on D-I-Y dye. Seventeen-year-old Tabatha McCourt from Lanarkshire, England, died in

hospital after what medics suspect was a severe allergic reaction to p-phenylenediamine, or PPD.

Hair Dyes Can Cause Asthma

Hair stylists are at risk of developing occupational asthma, both from the persulfates used inbleaches and PPD from hair dyes. Long term exposure sensitizes the airways, leading to asthma

attacks on exposure to the chemicals.


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A number of studies have confirmed that hair stylists have higher levels of asthma than the

general population.

Are Hair Dyes Related to Development of Cancer?

Cancers develop due to a combination of many factors damaging the DNA of a cell in the body.While there is proof that hair dye chemicals do cause cancer in laboratory animals at high doses,

it is still debated whether the low doses from hair dyes are sufficient to cause cancer in humans.

Many studies have been conducted to try to determine whether long-term hair dye use causes

cancer, and it is still a controversial subject. Most studies have focused on a possible increased

risk of bladder cancer. Some studies have found that women who had consistently used hair dye

long term had higher levels, and other studies did not. Many official bodies have determined that

the evidence so far is inconclusive.

However, new studies have linked hair dye use to development of a specific type of cancer,non-

Hodgkin's lymphoma (Zhang et al, 2008). This study looked at groups of women suffering from

this disease, and a control group. It was found that women who started using hair dye,

particularly darker colors, before 1980 had an increased risk of developing the disease.

The strongest evidence that hair dyes can cause cancer in humans comes from studies of

cancer rates in hairstylists. One study found that if a hairstylist had used hair dyes at work for 5

years or more, she had a three times higher risk of developing breast cancer. Other studies

have consistently found that hair colorists have an increased risk ofnon-Hodgkin's lymphoma,

multiple myeloma and leukemia.


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Blonde Hair may have a Glamorous Image, but is it Worth it if you're nota Natural Blonde?

Excessive Dyeing Damages Hair

If hair has been dyed many times, it becomes 'over-processed', which leads to brittle, dry hairthat lack shine. Since hair only grows slowly (about 1.5cm/half an inch a month) longer hair can

end up receiving multiple dye treatments. If other chemicals such as hair relaxers are used, the

damage can be even worse, and over-processed hair easily breaks and splits.

Unfortunately, there is really no solution to hair damage from dyeing, other than to stop dyeing. If

you do not want to stop, using a deep conditioner and products specifically for dyed hair can help

reduce the damage and also maintain your color. Try to dye only your roots, to reduce the

number of times the length of your hair is dyed.

P-Phenylenediamine, PPD: the Chemical that causes Allergic Reactions

P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is present in over 2/3 of chemical hair dyes, and is known to betoxic to the immune system, skin, nervous system, respiratory system, liver and kidneys. It is the

most toxic chemical in hair dyes. The European Union classifies it as a toxin and irritant that is

dangerous in the environment. In Canada, its use in cosmetics is restricted and it was a one time

banned in France, Germany and Sweden. However, it is now legally used throughout the EU.


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Allergic and Skin Reactions

PPD is a skin sensitizer, meaning that it can stimulate the immune system to cause a variety of

allergic reactions. The skin may become red, blister, itch and burn on exposure of PPD. Allergic

reactions may also cause breathing difficulties and can even be fatal. This is what is thought to

have happened to the young women in the articles linked to above.

Cancer

Laboratory experiments have shown that PPD damages the DNA of human cells. Accumulated

DNA damage leads to cancer. However, it is not conclusive whether the exposure to PPD from

hair dyes is enough to cause cancer in women who dye their hair, al though hair stylists who color

hair at work do have higher cancer levels (see below).

Asthma

Breathing in PPD fumes can cause the airways to narrow, making breathing difficult. This can be

a transient reaction, or can cause long-term asthma.

Severe effects from drinking PPD

Severe lung problems and deaths have been reported after accidental ingestion of PPD. Hair

dyes should always be kept out children's reach to prevent accidents.

UK Effort to Ban PPD from Hair Dye

AUK lawyer, who has represented many victims of allergic reactions to hair dyes, is pushing to

have PPD-containing dyes banned from sale in the United Kingdom. After the tragic death of 17-

year-old Tabatha McCourt in a fit minutes after applying hair dye, Greg Almond is calling on the

UK government to review the use of PPD. Almond has previously obtained out-of-court

settlements for clients who suffered allergic reactions to hair dye, even after following the

manufacturer's instructions for patch testing the dye on their skin first.

Sign the online petition to ban PPD from hair dyes sold in the UK

The Other Chemicals in Hair Dyes and Associated Risks

ResorcinolResorcinol receives a rating of 8 (out of 10) for hazard at the Cosmetics Safety Database. It is

classified by the European Union as harmful, irritant to eyes and skin and dangerous for the

environment.

It has been shown to disrupt hormonal function in rats, causing hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone

deficiency), but the levels necessary were far higher than those in hair dyes (Welsch, 2008).

However, autism may be caused by babies experiencing hypothyroidism while still in the womb


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(Roman, 2007), and there have been cases of pregnant women losing their babies after taking

resorcinol by mouth (Duran et al, 2004). Resorcinol is also a skin sensitiser (Basketter et al,

2007), although it is much less potent than PPD.

Ammonia

Ammonia is irritant to the skin, eyes and respiratory system, and can cause asthma andbreathing difficulties. However, it is much less toxic than PPD, and only receives a rating of 3 out

of 10 for toxicity at the Cosmetics Safety Database.

Persulfates

Sodium, potassium and ammonium sulfates are present in hair dyes and bleaches, and are used

in concentrations of up to 60%. However, concentrations of only 17.5% have been shown to

irritate skin, and persulfates are also toxic when the fumes are inhaled, causing asthma and lung

damage (Pang and Fiume, 2001). However, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has

concluded that they are safe for occasional use, provided that the skin is rinsed well after.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is used in hair bleaches. It is corrosive, and has been banned from cosmetic

use in Japan and restricted in Canada. Animal studies have shown it has toxic effects on the

nervous system, respiratory and digestive systems at low doses (1974). Other studies on

animals have also shown that hydrogen peroxide can damage DNA, possibly leading to cancer.

Lead acetate

This is present in some hair coloring products used for gradual darkening, and is another

potentially toxic chemical.Lead has well-known damaging effects on the brain and nervous

system.

4-ABP

This has been linked to development of cancer.

Dark-colored hair dyes carry thehighest risks

Hair Dyes Marketed as 'Natural'

Boxed, chemical hair dyes marketed as 'natural' typically do not contain resorcinol, ammoniaor peroxide. However, they still contain at least some PPD, just a lower level. Lower levels are

obviously better, but using these dyes does not completely remove the risk of suffering an

allergic reaction or other side effect. 'Natural' hair dye manufacturers include Naturtint and

Herbatint. Always look at the ingredients of any 'natural' hair dye to check out just how 'natural' it


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is, and check for the presence of the chemicals listed above.

If you are unsure how safe a dye is, the Cosmetics Database is a great place to check it out -

there are listings for thousands of products, and every product and ingredient is given a hazard

rating, from 0-10.

Documents

Health Risks of Chemical Hair Dyes