Chemical hair dyes and their effect to our health

We are responsible for the condition of our hair. There are certain factors that effect the health of our hair. These are:

• Mechanical factors: combing, retaliate, etc.
• Chemical factors: dying, perm
• Heat and light: sun, hair drying, flat iron, curling iron, etc.
• Physiological factors like stress, smoking, diet, etc.
• The environment: smog, wind, weather and ozone

Almost everyone dyes their hair. I remember I was 16 when I started to dye my hair, back then I was red. Then I became black and slowly blond. It's been 2 years now that I don't dye my hair since I know how bad it is for our health.

Why chemical hair dyes are bad?

Hair Dyes Can Cause:

• Allergic Reactions
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Damages hair

The European Commission banned the usage of 22 hair dye ingredients in 2007. These are:

• 6-Methoxy-2,3-Pyridinediamine
• 2,3-Naphthalenediol
• 2,4-Diaminodiphenylamine
• 2,6-Bis(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-3,5-Pyridinediamine
• 2-Methoxymethyl-p-Aminophenol
• 4,5-Diamino-1-Methylpyrazole
• 4,5-Diamino-1-((4-Chlorophenyl)Methyl)-1H-Pyrazole Sulfate
• 4-Chloro-2-Aminophenol
• 4-Hydroxyindole
• 4-Methoxytoluene-2,5-Diamine
• 5-Amino-4-Fluoro-2-Methylphenol Sulfate
• N,N-Diethyl-m-Aminophenol
• N,N-Dimethyl-2,6-Pyridinediamine
• N-Cyclopentyl-m-Aminophenol
• N-(2-Methoxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine
• 2,4-Diamino-5-methylphenetol
• 1,7-Naphthalenediol
• 3,4-Diaminobenzoic acid
• 2-Aminomethyl-p-aminophenol
• Solvent Red 1 (CI 12150)
• Acid Orange 24 (CI 20170
• Acid Red 73 (CI 27290)

According to EWG "nearly one of every 30 products sold in the U.S. fails to meet one or more industry or governmental cosmetics safety standards." You can still find these ingredients in the states.

P-Phenylenediamine (PPD):

It is a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye. PPD is a colorless substance that requires oxygen for it to become colored. It is this intermediate, partially oxidized state that may cause allergy in sensitive individuals. "Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of p-phenylenediamine may cause severe dermatitis, eye irritation and tearing, asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, and coma in humans. Eczematoid contact dermatitis may result from chronic (long-term) exposure in humans. In rats and mice chronically exposed to p-phenylenediamine in their diet, depressed body weights, but no other clinical signs of toxicity, were observed in several studies" says the Environmental Protection Agency.

It is known to be toxic to the immune system, skin, nervous system, respiratory system, liver and kidneys. It is the most toxic chemical in hair dyes. Laboratory experiments have shown that PPD damages the DNA of human cells. Accumulated DNA damage leads to cancer. However, it is not conclusive whether the exposure to PPD from hair dyes is enough to cause cancer in women who dye their hair, although hair stylists who color hair at work do have higher cancer levels.

Do you remember of Tabatha McCourt? She was that girl who died after applying hair dye which contained PPD.

Dark color hair dyes

Darker hair dye increases the risk of developing cancer because the types of chemicals they contain. The U.S. National Cancer Institute discovered a relationship between dark hair dyes and and certain types of cancer. These tumors occur in the lymphoid organs and blood-forming organs. The most problematic hair dye chemical component is aniline (PPD is the derivative of aniline) which caused cancer in laboratory animals.

Semi-permanent hair dyes:

Because of the harmful effects of the permanent hair dyes, many people choose semi-permanent hair dyes. Manufacturers say these dyes are gentle, less harmful, don;t contain ammonia and oxidation products. However the Cosmetic Publication in 2007 tested 27 semi-permanent hair dyes and only 1 passed. The reason: the analyzed ingredients contained dangerous color components (aromatic amines).

Demi-Permanent hair dyes:

It is a coloring agent used, but less damaging than permanent color. Demi-permanent hair dye contains an alkaline activating agent, but it doesn't contain ammonia. Demi-permanent hair color can refresh the existing color without additional damage. It won't lighten the hair. It is mixed with a low-volume developer to help open the cuticle and lasts up to 24 shampoos. The activator (such as peroxide) lifts cuticle slightly so color sits in and under the cuticle.

Other dangerous chemicals in hair dyes:

• Ammonia: it sets the stage for color to penetrate the hair strand by opening up the surface of the strand so that the dye can get through. Then it effectively lifts out the natural hair pigment so that the hair color molecules can penetrate and deposit. That's when you see the new shade. is irritant to the skin, eyes and respiratory system, and can cause asthma and breathing difficulties.
• Hydrogen Peroxide:has been banned from cosmetic use in Japan and restricted in Canada. Animal studies have shown it has toxic effects on the nervous system, respiratory and digestive systems at low doses (1974). Other studies on animals have also shown that hydrogen peroxide can damage DNA, possibly leading to cancer.
• Resorcinol (1,3-Benzeneidol):It is often used in acne treatments. It is known to cause acute and/or chronic heart rate changes, breathing changes, weakness, severe headache, nausea, vomiting and restlessness. Resorcinol is dangerous when absorbed into the blood system, it should not be used on open wounds, irritated scalps, large skin areas, or any skin areas that have a lage amount of pores and follicles. Resorcinol provides an inexpensive color coupler that oxidize with hydrogen peroxide to provide a permanent color effect.

Natural hair dyes:

Certain plants (henna, indigo, walnut, black currant, elderberry, etc.) can give us different hair color. The disadvantage of it is that we can't make light, blonde color. However, herbal plant hair dyes don't harm the protective layer of the hair.

Henna:

Real, 100% henna is a green powder. It doesn't "change" the original hair color like chemical dyes, but dyes the out layer of the hair. The natural color of the hair and the henna (which has copper red shade) together will give the final result of the hair color.

If someone has brown hair, then with henna it will be chestnut-brown. If someone has grey hair then the result will be intensive copper red. Blond is the same.

After chemical hair dye you have to wait 3-6 months before you can use henna. Henna always dyes your hair red, the tint depends on the person's natural hair color. It works on grey hair too.

If someone wants darker color, then she can use indigo. Indigo itself doesn't do anything with the hair, but if you put it on after henna, then you can reach a nice, dark brown color. It is a green powder like henna.

Please note that there is no such a thing as blond, brown, or black henna. If a company tries to sell it like this, it means they use some chemicals to change the color of the henna.

Sources:

Joico & The art of healthy hair

Organic System

Squidoo

Wise Geek