Hair color warning: The clear link between hair coloring chemicals and cancer

Posted by: Dena Schmidt, staff writer in Dangerous Chemicals December 4, 2016 6 Comments

(NaturalHealth365)

A surprising 75 percent of people in the U.S., Japan and Europe color their hair on a regular basis.  

Gray hair can make people look prematurely old, and hair color is obviously used to preserve that more youthful appearance. In some cases, people just want a change from their natural hair color, and dyeing it can help them to make a ‘fashion statement.’

In truth, hair coloring is actually an ancient practice. However, in the past, people used natural substances such as henna and other pigments found in plants, soil and clay. Today, most of the store-bought hair color options are made with harsh, toxic chemicals that can pose a serious health risk when used regularly over time.

The dangers of hair color aren’t highly publicized

Some of the risks and side effects of the chemicals found in hair dyes include cancers of the kidney, bladder, and breast as well as blood-based cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.  But, don’t expect your local salon to post any warning signs in the near future – for obvious reasons.

The “official word” on hair color products that contain harsh chemicals is far from cautionary. However, one of the common chemicals used called p-Phenylenediamin (PPD) is documented as causing side effects like asthma, gastritis, severe dermatitis, eye irritation, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, kidney failure, and coma in those who are exposed to it.

Some hair color products contain thousands of chemical compounds

However, PPD isn’t the only risk. Some hair color products can contain as many as 5,000 chemicals, including substances like lead acetate and ammonia. The chemicals in hair color products also interact with the substances in human hair to produce harmful effects.

Hair colors come in temporary, semi-permanent and permanent solutions. However, 80 percent of the market is comprised of permanent colors which contain agents like couplers and intermediates that react with the hydrogen peroxide. While the worst hair color product ingredients were banned in the 1970s, many products still contain dangerous substances.

Research confirms the health hazards of hair color products

Numerous studies have substantiated these hair color risks. A 1994 National Cancer Institute report covered the dangers of dark hair dyes used over extended periods of time. They were found to raise the risk of cancers like multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Another study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that hairdressers who worked regularly with these products had an increased risk of bladder cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.

The scalp area is very rich in its blood supply, making it all too easy for the toxic chemicals found in hair dyes to soak into the skin. During the 30 minutes that hair dyes remain in contact with the scalp, they can easily enter the blood supply.

Fortunately, there is a better way.

Avoid the cancer risk: Consider safer, non-toxic alternatives

Fortunately, there are safer alternatives to these toxic products. Hairprint is a natural hair color brand developed by award-winning chemist John Warner. Instead of harsh chemicals, it contains non-toxic, plant-based, food-grade pigments and minerals.

Click here to hear directly from the creator of Hairprint.

Best of all, Hairprint has a restorative effect on the hair, enriching it and bringing back the shine and luster that can get lost as hair begins to gray. Hairprint products are also hypoallergenic and free of odor.

Editor’s note: We are happy to offer you a non-toxic way to eliminate grey hair.  Click here to learn more.

References:

http://www.beatcancer.org/blog-posts/can-coloring-your-hair-lead-to-cancer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8172172

http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/38/6/1512.full

http://www.naturalhealth365.com/natural-hair-color-1483.html