Women and even men are changing the color of their hair more these days. Whether it is to hide that gray that is beginning to show or to change their appearance in an effort to feel more attractive the point is hair dye is on the rise. Is this trend of dying our hair causing harm to the hair? All hair dyes contain harsh chemicals to produce the color change on the hair.
Chemicals in Permanent Hair Dye
The chemical levels in hair dyes vary dependent on how long they are intended to last on the hair. Permanent hair dye is categorized by the Food and Drug Administration as an oxidation dyes or progressive dyes.
A chemical reaction with the hair itself oxidizes causing the change in hair color creating the dye known as oxidation dye. Progressive type dyes are actual dyes but they require additional substances to obtain a particular shade of color. Common substances used with progressive dyes to obtain these colors are hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, soap or detergent. When mix the dye with the developer you are forming the cream that will change the color of your hair. When applied to the hair shaft this cream causes the hair shaft to swell in order to process and accept the new color. Chemicals such as bismuth citrate and metallic lead oxidize with the natural keratin and sulfur in the hair to cause the color to change.
Semi-Permanent Hair Dye and Temporary Hair Dye
These types of hair dye contain a coal tar which is basically petroleum. It adheres to the hair shaft to change the color. The mixtures contain coal tar dyes and other solvents such as gums, salts, vegetable substances and surfactants (wetting agents) and usually conditioning ingredients to lessen the harsh effects of the chemicals used. This dye does not penetrate the hair shaft itself, but attaches itself to the shaft and usually wears away after a number of shampoos.
Coal tar dyes can cause some people to develop allergies and the FDA has stopped approving them. Those that contain coal tar dyes have a warning to do a patch test prior to application and that is all that is required for it to be used in the product.
Does Dye Harm Hair or More than Hair?
The box of hair dye contains gloves and a warning. If that doesn’t alert you to the strong chemicals contained within you should read the box more carefully.
There have been many cases of bad reactions to the use of hair dye. Some of these include extreme allergic reactions with labored breathing and facial swelling. Other reactions have been burning of the scalp, redness, itching, hair loss and irritation. Using hair dye and the harsh chemicals they contain can cause the hair to dry and break easily.
Some research has shown that women who have used hair dye for more than 20 years risk doubling their chances for rheumatoid arthritis. There has been research to study the toxins (coal tar and HC Blue 1 which were proven to be carcinogenic) of hair dyes that are absorbed into the scalp could cause cancer. A study of the International Agency on Research on Cancer stated that there does seem to be a link between bladder cancer and hair dye but that the risk was minimal and generally seemed greatest among hair care professionals who are largely exposed.
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