Just a warning... hair dye

[KaiKrishna]

This is really worth knowing, I read a Harvard study that said women who use hair dyes five or more times per year have twice the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
I was feeling good after reading that study that I buy Naturtint hair dye from the health food store to dye my hair, until I read that it got one of the worst overall scores. I am so glad I have been paying three times as much for it.
So I might skip the naturtint. Apparently blond hair dye is a little better than dark which is the worst. Revlon Colorsilk Ammonia free also got one of the worst scores alone with Loreal preference and Nice and Easy.
Hmmm, now what to do about my mousy brown hair... lol.

[Kellie_MO5]

is there a link to the study?

[becky]

:yeah

[Leigh]

is there a link to the study?

A little quality time with google and I came up with this:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Health+aspects-s1237273


.

[KaiKrishna]

Thanks Leigh, I actually read the study in a book I got from the library so I don't have a link. I was researching it and found other things too, this study found a link between hair dye and bladder cancer

Article date: 2001/02/02
Women who regularly use permanent hair dye may increase their risk of bladder cancer, according to the results of a study in the Feb. 1 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.


But is also says "All permanent hair colors use the same basic ingredients, but darker shades have about 100 times more chemicals than the lightest blonde shade," he explains. "The shade used is the most important measure of exposure to chemicals, not the number of times the hair dye was used," he says.

From: www.cancer.org/.../NWS_1_1x_Study_Finds_Possible_Link_Between_Hair_Dy e_and_Bladder_Cancer_.asp - Cached
I thought that was interesting.

I presume using henna doesn't have a link to cancer? I used to use henna when I was younger with good results but I haven't used it in a while. I often use the dark dyes just to richen my hair color. Hmmmm... maybe I should become a blond. :)

[L and F's Momma]

Thanks Leigh, I actually read the study in a book I got from the library so I don't have a link. I was researching it and found other things too, this study found a link between hair dye and bladder cancer



But is also says "All permanent hair colors use the same basic ingredients, but darker shades have about 100 times more chemicals than the lightest blonde shade," he explains. "The shade used is the most important measure of exposure to chemicals, not the number of times the hair dye was used," he says.

From: www.cancer.org/.../NWS_1_1x_Study_Finds_Possible_Link_Between_Hair_Dy e_and_Bladder_Cancer_.asp - Cached
I thought that was interesting.

I presume using henna doesn't have a link to cancer? I used to use henna when I was younger with good results but I haven't used it in a while. I often use the dark dyes just to richen my hair color. Hmmmm... maybe I should become a blond. :)

Just so you know, henna is probably is not such a good choice. It can have high levels of lead and other toxic chemicals, not to mention I once read a study about the high levels of fecal matter in henna.
ETA- It also doesn't have the quality control that other hair dyes do- it can have anything in it really. Ask any reasonable hair dresser. They will tell you to just say no to henna.

[KaiKrishna]

Just so you know, henna is probably is not such a good choice. It can have high levels of lead and other toxic chemicals, not to mention I once read a study about the high levels of fecal matter in henna.

Oh wow, thanks. I think I am going to think about using a lighter hair dye than I have been using. The woman in the book I was reading does this, (The book is called "The Green You" by the way) she says there are no great options with hair dye but she really likes to dye her hair so she chooses the route of blond highlights. It will be a while if I decide to do that because my hair is really dark right now with some chestnut highlight so if I tried to go blond it would be a mess. I think best to let it grow out and get some professional help then. I asked my husband if he thought it would look weird if I went blond and he was like "I think it would look good." Men, lol.

[KaiKrishna]

I did some research on henna, here is a good article.

http://www.hennaforhair.com/science/index.html

[Theresa]

How about plain ole bleach? :lol

[KaiKrishna]

I think that is just more of an irritant if inhaled than anything else, but I could be wrong. I found this (below) on clorox bleach but hair bleach is more like hydrogen peroxide, isn't it? I use hydrogen peroxide bleach as well as vinagar in place of chlorine bleach in my laundry all the time because the chlorine irritates me when I breathe the fumes.

The main ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite (chlorine added to lye.) Chlorine is toxic as a skin irritant, and by inhalation. Sodium hypochlorite can create poisonous chlorine gas if mixed with ammonia (which may be an unlabeled ingredient in some cleaning products) or with vinegar. Workplace safety data sheets warn that sodium hypochlorite may be a neurotoxin and cause liver damage. People with chemical sensitivies report adverse reactions to minute quantities of chlorine. Sodium hypochlorite readily combines with organic matter to form organochlorines which are highly toxic to aquatic life.

[Lorah]

Well, probably good that I'm unable to use dyes then huh. :giggle

[mommanat]

:puke a high level of fecal matter in henna hair dye, yuck! Just what I want to be puttin' on my head.