Is it true that hair paint can cause cancer?

Contents:

• Medical Video: Do Hair Dyes cause Cancer? - TV9 Now
  
• Types of hair paint
  
• Why is hair dye thought to cause cancer?
  
• Bladder cancer
  
• Leukemia and lymphoma
  
• Breast cancer and other cancers
  
• Not all hair paints are dangerous
  
• How to color your hair to keep it safe?
  

Medical Video: Do Hair Dyes cause Cancer? - TV9 Now

Hair coloring is considered a trend among young people today. However, is hair coloring safe? You must have heard rumors related to hair paint and cancer. Many studies have seen hair dyes as a risk factor that might trigger various types of cancer. Therefore, here we will discuss what various studies of hair dyes show so you can decide which is better done.

Types of hair paint

According to the American Cancer Society, hair dyes have a lot of variety in their cosmetic chemistry. People will usually be exposed to hair dye chemicals through skin contact. There are 3 main types of car hair, namely:

• Temporary dyes. These dyes cover the surface of the hair, but do not penetrate into the hair shaft. These dyes usually only last 1-2 times of shampooing.
• Semi-permanent dyes. This dye does not penetrate into the hair shaft. Usually, this dye lasts for 5-10 shampooing times.
• Permanent (oxidative) coloring. This dye causes permanent chemical changes to the hair shaft. This dye is the most popular type on the market, because the color will not change until new hair appears. This dye is sometimes referred to as coal-tar dyes because some ingredients in it, like aromatic amines and phenols. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the two substances react to become dyes. Darker hair dyes tend to use more aromatic amines.

Why is hair dye thought to cause cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are more than 5,000 kinds of chemicals in hair dyes, and some of them can cause cancer in animals, one of which is aromatic amines. For several years, epidemiological research found an increased risk of bladder cancer in hairdressers and barber. A 2008 report from the Working Group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that some chemicals in hair dyes are carcinogens (causing cancer) for humans.

The American Cancer Society added that most studies that examine whether hair dye products can increase cancer risk have focused on certain cancers, such as bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), leukemia, and breast cancer.

Bladder cancer

Most studies find small but consistently increasing risks, in people who work coloring hair such as hairdressers and barber, to develop bladder cancer. However, there are no results of research that suggest an increased risk of bladder cancer in people whose hair is painted.

Leukemia and lymphoma

The study looked at the possible relationship between the use of personal hair dyes and the risk of cancer related to blood (such as leukemia and lymphoma) But the results vary. For example, some studies have found an increased risk for some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women who use hair dyes, especially if they were used before 1980 or use darker colors. Results of the same type are found in several studies regarding the risk of leukemia. However, other studies have not found an increase in risk. So, if there is an effect of hair dye on cancer related to blood, the effect tends to be small.

Breast cancer and other cancers

Most studies have not found an increased risk of breast cancer and other cancers for the use of hair dyes.

Not all hair paints are dangerous

Some of these expert institutions have classified hair paint or what hair dye can cause cancer.

The International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) which aims to identify the causes of cancer. IARC concluded that work such as barber or hairdresser is a profession that is at high risk for cancer. However, coloring hair using personal hair dyes is not classified as carcinogenic to humans, due to a lack of evidence from research.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) formed from parts of US government agencies, including the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states that no link between hair paint and cancer. However, some chemicals used in hair dyes are classified as ingredients that can become human carcinogens.

How to color your hair to keep it safe?

When hair paint first appears, the main ingredient used is coal-tar dyes which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Most contemporary hair dyes use petroleum sources. However, the FDA considers that hair dye still contains coal-tar dyes. This is because hair dyes still contain ingredients used in ancient times.

Therefore, follow the steps below when coloring hair:

1. Do not leave the dye on the head more than necessary.
2. Rinse the scalp thoroughly with water after using hair dye.
3. Wear gloves when applying hair paint.
4. Follow instructions on hair dye products carefully.
5. Never mix different hair dye products.
6. Be sure to do it patch test to find out an allergic reaction before using hair dye. To test it, drop the dye behind your ear and let it sit for 2 days. If you have no signs of an allergic reaction, such as itching, heat, or redness, you will not have an allergic reaction when the hair dye is applied to your hair. Always do this for each different product.
7. Never dye eyebrows or eyelashes. The FDA prohibits the use of hair dyes for eyelashes and eyebrows. An allergic reaction to coloring can cause swelling and increase the risk of infection around the eyes or in your eyes. This can harm your eyes and can even cause blindness.

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