The Snapper

Changing the color of hair today often seems as simple and as common as getting a new haircut.  It is almost becoming a challenge to find someone with a hair color that is 100 percent natural.  Dyeing your hair is often seen as a way to freshen up a look, adapt to a new season, or just try something new.

Many people love the freedom that hair dye gives them.  A person can walk to a drug store, spend $20, and become a whole new person within an hour.  But does coloring hair have consequences? “The ends will be darker than the roots because they dont tell you how to apply it correctly,” said Sue Pless.  Many people have debated the effects of hair dye over the past ten years.

There have been numerous claims made that warn consumers about possible risks involved in dyeing hair theres the risk of getting cancer to harming unborn babies while pregnant.  Many of these claims have not proven to be completely accurate, but there are still many factors to consider when thinking about dyeing hair.

There are three basic categories of hair dye: permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary.  When deciding on whether or not to dye hair, most people will decide between permanent and semi-permanent.

Keep in mind though that by making this choice, decisions are being made about what types of chemicals will soak in the hair.  This is a choice that should probably not be taken lightly.

Permanent hair color is the most popular form of hair dye, and is what most salons will use on your hair when asked for a color change.

Permanent hair colors can be broken down into two categories.  Oxidation hair dye products mix a chemical dye intermediate with a hydrogen peroxide solution, often referred to as a developer.  These two components are mixed shortly before being applied to the hair.

The mixture causes hair to swell, and then the dye intermediates penetrate the hair shaft while continuing to react with the hydrogen peroxide to develop a new hair color.

Progressive hair dyes feature lead acetate as the main active ingredient. Hair dyes that contain this chemical are monitored by the FDA to ensure that they contain no more than a certain level of lead acetate.  Progressive hair dyes provide a more gradual change in hair color than oxidation dyes do.

Many studies within the past 10 years have linked cancer with the chemicals found in permanent hair dye specifically, while many other studies have disproved any link between the two.   In 2001, research performed at the University of Southern California and published in the International Journal of Cancer found that women using permanent, self-administered hair dye at least one time per month for a year or more were twice as likely to develop bladder cancer, while women who used permanent hair dye monthly for 15 years or more were three times as likely to develop bladder cancer.

This study has been criticized as not being broad or controlled enough to draw a definite conclusion about permanent hair dye.  Other researchers have also found associations between hair dye and increased incidence of ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and leukemia.

Most semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes are solutions of different coal-tar dyes.  “it will never come out like the color on the box set,” said Pless.

These dyes are usually less damaging to hair than permanent dyes because they are often less invasive to the hair molecules.  There are varying degrees of semi-permanent and temporary dyes.  Demi-permanent dyes can stay in the hair for close to 24 or 26 shampoos, while semi-permanent color will last between six to 12 shampoos.

Temporary color usually is washed out after each shampoo.  Because these products usually do not contain ammonia or peroxide, they are used to enhance or darken the current hair color and cannot be used to lighten it.

As mentioned, these non-permanent products contain a mixture that involves coal-tar dyes.  Coal-tar dyes are either certified color additives or dyes that are not approved by the FDA.  Coal-tar dye products are exempt from the FDA’s safety provisions, so it is often difficult to be absolutely certain whether the product  is approved or not.

Manufacturers are advised to put a warning label on dye products that addresses adverse reactions like skin irritation, and if this is not done and the dye causes harm during normal use the manufacturer can be held liable.

However, if the manufacturer has placed a warning label on the dye and the product ends up causing harm to the user, no action can be taken.  This is considered to be important because some coal-tar dye products have been determined to cause cancer during animal testing when they come in contact with skin.

Although there is a large amount of research and general talk about different effects of hair dye, most researchers conclude that as of now there really is not enough evidence to justify completely discontinuing the use of hair dye or being frightened to use it.

However, normal hair dye does contain significant amounts of chemicals that we should probably be somewhat cautious about constantly using.

Because hair dye mixtures almost always involve some type of conditioning ingredient, in the very short term hair that has been dyed may seem softer and shinier.  However, prolonged, continuous use of hair dyes can often be very damaging to the condition of the hair due to the chemical reactions involved. Overuse of hair dye products can cause hair to become extremely dry, frizzy or damaged in general.

When using hair dye, it is very important to take certain precautions to avoid negative reactions to the chemicals.  Follow the directions very carefully when applying hair dye at home and always do a patch test to make sure that its the desired color.

Wear gloves when working with hair dye and only leave it on the head and hair for as little time as possible.  Do not mix hair dye products because of the potential chemical reactions that could result.

Also rinse hair with water very thoroughly after applying hair dye. Salons can often minimize your risk of chemical exposure and negative reactions by following specific procedures and sometimes even making sure to minimize the amount of chemicals that come in contact with the scalp.