Hair Dyes May Increase The Risk Of Blood Cancer, Says Study

At least once in your lifetime you may have had your hair coloured. Be it to cover up that grey hair or to flaunt some rainbow colours, hair colouring is indeed a timeless fad. As per reports, more than 35 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men use these chemical hair colours. With varying types of hair dyes available, such as, temporary dyes, semi-permanent dyes and permanent hair dyes, the chemical impact these have are not only on your hair but also your overall health ^[1] .

Hair dyes are a mixture of different types of chemicals, where some have been regarded as being carcinogenic by studies. While getting that extra oomph added your hair, you may be at the risk of developing or increasing the risk of cancer ^[2] .

Risk Factors For Hair Dye-induced Cancer

The type of exposure an individual has toward hair dye is a major factor that can increase the risk of cancer development. Hairstylists, barbers etc. are at heightened risk as they are constantly exposed to hair dyes (and the chemicals). One other factor is the length of use, that is, individuals who have been using dyes for as long as the 1980s are at a higher risk because then dyes had more potential carcinogens ^[3] .

One of the major factors affecting the risk of cancer-related to hair dye is genetics. That is, the cancer-causing chemicals linked to hair dye are members of a class of chemicals known as aromatic amines which are detoxified by your body ^[2] . But, the genetic structure of some individuals makes it impossible for them to detoxify the compounds and increase a hair-dye user's risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukaemia.

These are the most common (harmful) chemicals found in hair dyes.

The frequency of hair dyeing is also a factor because the more often you are exposed to the chemicals in it. Also, dark hair dye colours like black and brown contain more carcinogenic chemicals ^[3] .

Long-term Hair Dye Use Can Increase Blood Cancer Risk

According to studies, continuous use of semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes (dark colours) increase the risk of blood cancer ^[4] . Semi-permanent dyes are the type of dyes that penetrate the hair shaft and last for 5 to 10 washings, whereas permanent or oxidative hair dyes cause lasting chemical changes in the hair shaft and are largely linked to cancer risk.

Researchers have been exploring the (possible) link between hair dye use and cancer and have asserted that it has the potential to elevate the risk of blood cancers (leukaemia and lymphoma). It has been proven that certain chemicals present in these hair dyes have carcinogenic properties. That being said, exposure to a carcinogen increases one's risk of cancer ^[5] .

Studies have pointed out that over 5,000 different chemicals are used in hair dye products, some of which are reported to be carcinogenic. Some studies have linked the personal use of hair dyes with increased risks of certain cancers of the blood and bone marrow, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and leukaemia ^[6] .

Other Types Of Cancer That Can Occur

Although the most common cancer triggered through the constant use of hair dyes is a risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukaemia in women, studies have pointed out that it can elevate the risk of other types of cancer as well ^[7] .

Bladder cancer: There has been contradictory opinion on this aspect. Some studies have pointed out hair dye can increase the risk of bladder cancer, recent studies have said otherwise. However, it has also been pointed out that the lack of any cancer risk in recent times can be due to the carcinogenic chemicals being discarded ^[8] .

Breast cancer: Studies suggest that there is a connection between dark hair dyes and breast cancer ^[9] .

Prostate cancer: A study pointed out that hair dye may increase a person's risk for prostate cancer.

Permanent (Oxidative) Hair Dyes Cause More Harm

On studying the impact the chemicals in hair dye can have on triggering leukaemia, it was asserted that permanent or oxidative hair dye cause more damage than the semi-permanent and temporary (non-oxidative) ones ^[9] . It is because, non-oxidative hair dyes do not make use of a developer and simply coats the hair shaft, thereby not removing the natural hair pigments.

However, permanent or oxidative hair dye must be activated by mixing an oxidizing agent like hydrogen peroxide with ammonia and a colouring agent which then opens up the outermost layer of your hair shaft, causing the chemicals to settle down into your system and cause allergies and trigger leukaemia or another type of cancers ^[10] .

Safer Options

With various studies going back and forth between the possible impact hair dyes can have on triggering the risk of cancer, it can be summarised that the link between using modern hair dyes and cancer is, very minimal, however, present ^[11] .

With studies still ongoing, it is best to take up alternative methods or colour your hair in a well-ventilated room or salon, to minimise exposure to the fumes from hair dyes ^[12] . Some of the safer and common alternative options for hair dye are as follows ^[13] :

• Henna
• Organic hair dye
• Graphene