Hair dyes & their possible health hazards

With the advancement of the world, the cosmetic industry has also advanced considerably due to increased demand of beauty and youth enhancement. But most of the cosmetics evolved during past few decades, appear to be only superficial, fake & eyewashes when it comes to real beauty enhancement, while their health hazards and side effects are very much real. One of such very popular beauty product is ‘Hair dye’ which is no more a tool to hide grey hair, but has become a fashion statement in all strata of the society around the world. More than one third of women above 18 and around 10% of men over 40yrs use some kind of hair. [1] So let’s have a discussion about its possible short and long term health hazards. [2]

Common possible side effects and probable reasons:

1.    Contact allergies & allergic contact dermatitis:

ü  Rate of incidence of acute allergy to common hair dyes range from 4-6% of dye users. [3]

ü  Allergic reactions can range from simple burnig sensations, itching etc. to dangerous angioedema.

ü  Allergic reactions are on a rise these days: probably due to Cross-sensitization to other contact allergens from other hair dye components. [3]

2.    Risk of malignancy/cancer:

ü  Possibility of link to bladder cancer was shouted when a number of hair dressers and barbers developed it. [4][5] Increased risk was found in number of studies. [6][7][8] But this could not be established in a large scale meta-analysis indicating further study. [9]

ü  Hair dyes have been associated with slight increased risk of leukemia on long term use, dark hair dyes, pre 1980s use etc [10], and other lymphomas [11]

ü  Similarly, hair dyes have been linked to breast cancer too with limited evidences [12]

3.    Other probable health risks:

ü  Over processing and damaging hair shaft ( due to ammonia, peroxides and similar oxidizing agents),

ü  Effect on fertility of men & women with adverse effect on pregnant women. [13][2]

ü  Chemical conjunctivitis or pink eye.

ü  Asthma etc

Harmful agents of common hair dyes:

ü  The commonest offending chemical agent is: Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) with most of the scientific evidences for allergy, mutagenicity and carcinogenic and other toxicities.[3][14]

ü  Other harmful chemicals with possible adverse reactions are: ammonia, peroxide, diaminobenzene, toluene-2,5-diamine, resorcinol etc.[15]

ü  Possible mechanisms include oxidative changes in scalp and hair roots which need further investigation.

Special precautions:

ü  In first place I would request everyone to avoid unnecessary repeated hair coloring or at least use products devoid of above harmful chemicals.

ü  Natural products like hena are relatively safer.

ü  Avoid using very dark and permanent hair colours.

ü  Use petroleum based ointments to the scalp skin prior to dye application. [2]

ü  Use of gloves should be encouraged.

ü  The time duration of application should be reduced by 25%. [2]

ü  Hair and scalp should be washed properly after each dye session.

ü  And last but not the least: a patch test or a skin sensitivity test should be done before applying the dye

Although we are living in a modern world of technology and evolution which demands a more upmarket and fashionable style and look, still the natural ways of living are still most adorable. Take care, be healthy and keep smiling………

References:

1.    Huncharek M, Kupelnick B. Personal use of hair dyes and the risk of bladder cancer: results of a meta-analysis. Public Health Reports 2005; 120(1):31–38.

2.    Saitta P, Cook CE, Messina JL, et al. Is There a True Concern Regarding the Use of Hair Dye and Malignancy Development?: A Review of the Epidemiological Evidence Relating Personal Hair Dye Use to the Risk of Malignancy. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2013;6(1):39-46.

3.    Mukkanna KS, Stone NM, Ingram JR. Para-phenylenediamine allergy: current perspectives on diagnosis and management. Journal of Asthma and Allergy. 2017;10:9-15. doi:10.2147/JAA.S90265.

4.    Bolt HM, Golka K. The debate on carcinogenicity of permanent hair dyes: new insights. Critical Reviews in Toxicology 2007; 37(6):521–536.

5.    Harling M, Schablon A, Schedlbauer G, Dulon M, Nienhaus A. Bladder cancer among hairdressers: a meta-analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010; 67(5):351–358.

6.    Andrew AS, Schned AR, Heaney JA, Karagas MR. Bladder cancer risk and personal hair dye use. International Journal of Cancer 2004; 109(4):581–586.

7.    Gago-Dominguez M, Castelao JE, Yuan JM, Yu MC, Ross RK. Use of permanent hair dyes and bladder-cancer risk. International Journal of Cancer 2001; 91(4):575–579.

8.    Koutros S, Silverman DT, Baris D, et al. Hair dye use and risk of bladder cancer in the New England bladder cancer study. International Journal of Cancer 2011; 129(12):2894-904.

9.    Turati F, Pelucchi C, Galeone C, Decarli A, La Vecchia C. Personal hair dye use and bladder cancer: a meta-analysis. Annals of Epidemiology. 2014;24(2):151-159.

10. Towle K, Grespin M, Monnot A. Personal use of hair dyes and risk of leukemia: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Cancer Medicine. 2017;6(10):2471-2486.

11. Zhang Y, de Sanjose S, Bracci PM, et al. Personal use of hair dye and the risk of certain subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. American Journal of Epidemiology 2008; 167(11):1321–1331.

12. Takkouche B, Etminan M, Montes-Martinez A. Personal use of hair dyes and risk of cancer: a meta-analysis. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 2005; 293(20):2516–2525

13. Couto A, Ferreira J, Rosa A, Pombo-de-Oliveira M, Koifman S. Pregnancy, maternal exposure to hair dyes and hair straightening cosmetics, and early age leukemia. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 2013;205(1):46-52.

14. HP C, K R, KY N, RY K, CH N, SM C. para-Phenylenediamine Containing Hair Dye: An Overview of Mutagenicity, Carcinogenicity and Toxicity. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology. 2016;6(5).

15. Avoiding Toxic Chemicals In Hair Dyes. Learn How To Colour Your Hair Safely - Living Safe [Internet]. Living Safe. 2018 [cited 7 January 2018]. Available from: http://livingsafe.com.au/avoiding-toxic-chemicals-in-hair-dyes-learn-how-to-colour-your-hair-safely/