To Dye or Not To Dye

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To Dye or Not To Dye? - Permanent Hair Dyes More Bath & Shower

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If you use permanent hair dyes at least once a month you should know

about a 2001 study from researchers at the University of Southern

California that analyzed the association between hair dying activity

and bladder cancer.

 

 

Simple Solution:

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There was no association between semi-permanent or temporary hair

dyes and bladder cancer. (See Safer Ways to Color Your Hair. " )

 

While the study was not a clinical cancer trial, it did make a

determination of those who are at highest risk from use of permanent

dyes:

 

* Women who use permanent, hair dyes once a month for 1 year or

longer have twice the risk of bladder cancer.

 

* Women who use permanent hair dyes for 15 or more years at least

monthly have three times the risk of bladder cancer using permanent

dyes for 15 or more years when the dyes are used monthly or more

frequently.

 

* Those who have worked as hair dressers or barbers for 10 years or

more have five times the risk of bladder cancer.

 

The researchers note that the exposure of concern is to a family of

chemicals called Arylamines, an ingredient in many oxidative hair

dyes, which is a known risk factor for bladder cancer and found to

cause cancer in experimental animals.

 

The study was considered of enough concern in Europe that the

European Commission, a body that drafts legislation for the European

Union, has changed their policy to demand information from

manufacturers about ingredients contained in hair dyes. The United

States does not required manufacturers to file data on ingredients

or report cosmetic-related injuries.

 

Darker hair dyes cause higher risk because of the increased number

of chemicals.

 

Note: I love to play with my hair color! So I found a safer, more

eco friendly way to do it! I use Henna and I love it. It smells like

spinach, but it works. There's a great company called Rainbow

research, and you can purchase their henna, and have the option of

purchasing it in bulk if you want. I use the burgundy henna, with

either strong coffee or strong red zinger tea, depending on what

kind of shade I want. If you are blond, you purchase the appropriate

shade, and mix it with chamomile tea.

Or, without henna, you can make a spray of 1/2 cup chamomile tea and

1/2 cup peroxide. I used to use this when I was in high school, and

since I have such dark hair, it gave me some red highlights that I

loved so much I have been in love with red hair since!

LOL