The Truths about Hair Coloring – Sensitivities, Allergies and Cancer Risks
ByFrom time to time a truly scaremongering story emerges about hair coloring. One was when a woman had a violent allergic reaction and died of anaphylactic shock. The chances of this occurring are practically nil if a skin patch test is taken according to instructions. It is estimated that 4 in 1 million (1 in 250,000) are sensitive to hair dyes. It is probably more frequent, but the percentage is still small. The small percentage of risk tends to put people off the inconvenience of doing a ‘patch test’ whereby you need to wait a minimum of 24 hours to monitor any reaction. I can’t emphasize sufficiently the importance of these tests for safe coloring. In addition, many think that once they have had a patch test they can continue coloring their hair without repeating it. Unfortunately, this is wrong. An allergy may develop between uses. Changes in stress, diet, medication or environment can all heighten the risk of acquiring a sensitivity. Use the patch test method before each coloring – and carefully follow instructions for it.
There is another drawback to patch testing: you go to your hair salon and suddenly decide that you want your hair colored. The colorist can fit you in immediately because of a cancellation, otherwise you will have to wait another week. What do you do? Of course you grab the moment; 99 per cent (or more) of the time, all is well. But it is that very small risk that should make you rethink. The colorist, in all probability, wants the business and doesn’t discourage you – but think again! All manufacturers put warnings on their labels, now more prominent than ever. Safety is their principal and essential concern. Heed them.
Cancer
The latest scare is that of colorings causing bladder cancer. One of the first reports on the links between hair dyes and bladder cancer was over twenty years ago. Another scare was about five years ago, and another one more recently. None of the studies could be sufficiently substantiated, although color manufacturers modified some formulations.
Each study used similar methods: the hair of mice was shaved daily and the color applied to the skin afterwards. After three months (about 100 applications) most of the mice developed bladder cancer. To base the resultant scaremongering on these results appears to be unreasonable and even unjust: shaving the skin sensitizes and increases absorption rates, and the constant daily application would have a greater effect than occasional use. The equivalent in a human, averaging six weeks between dyes, is 600 weeks, or twelve years. But the scalp (obviously) is not shaved and sensitized, nor does the build-up effect of daily applications occur.
It has not been made clear whether there have been double blind tests either, comparing similar age groups of those using dyes long term and those who are not for twelve years. In that time as a person gets older, the cancer risks increase anyway.
Some other studies have detected no increased risk of bladder cancer. One that examined nearly 600 women followed by the American Cancer Society and 120,000 by Harvard University, plus a study in Italy, concluded that, ‘the overall evidence excluded any appreciable and measurable risk of bladder cancer from personal use of hair dyes’.
It is important to remember the huge psychological boost that hair color gives, and people would do it even if it were harmful -which as yet, if ever, hasn’t been proven.
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