Hair dye and cancer: everything you need to know
Hair coloring is a common practice worldwide, whether it’s to cover gray hair, for personal preference, or to follow trends. Most women color their hair at some point, sometimes without realizing the potential risks to their health. In recent years, concerns have grown over the possible dangers of chemical hair dyes, particularly their link to cancer. But what exactly is in your hair dye? Are these products toxic to your health? And how can you avoid the risks associated with hair dye and cancer? Let’s find out.
The composition of hair dyes
Permanent dyes are the most common type on the market. Unfortunately, they also tend to have the least favorable composition, as they are designed to last a long time on the hair.
They typically contain several ingredients, such as:
-
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD): Probably the most well-known ingredient in permanent dyes. When oxidized, this coloring agent allows the pigment to bond permanently to the hair.
-
Oxidizing agents: Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is used to open the hair cuticle so the dye can penetrate deep into the hair fiber. The higher its concentration, the more it will lighten the hair.
-
Ammonia: This compound opens the cuticle to allow color to penetrate the fiber, playing a key role in the durability and intensity of the shade. While ammonia-free alternatives now exist, they often use other alkaline agents that can be just as harmful.
-
Intermediate colorants: These react with the oxidizing agent to form the final colored pigments, enabling a wide range of shades.
-
Conditioners: Silicones or proteins are often added to smooth the cuticle after coloring, temporarily restoring softness and shine.
-
Stabilizers and preservatives: These ensure the dye’s shelf life and prevent ingredients from degrading before use. For example, stabilizers help keep hydrogen peroxide from breaking down too quickly before application.
-
Alkaline substances: Some dyes contain other alkaline agents in addition to ammonia to further open the cuticle and allow better penetration, such as monoethanolamine (MEA), which is often marketed as being milder but can still be irritating.
-
Humectants and emulsifiers: Glycerol is a humectant that helps maintain hair moisture during the coloring process, while emulsifiers blend oily and watery components for a consistent texture.
-
Fragrances: Added to mask the chemical smell, particularly that of ammonia, but they are themselves synthetic chemicals, compounding the chemical load of the product.
The ingredient list can be daunting. Chemical hair coloring exposes your scalp and body to toxic substances that may increase the risk of cancer from hair dye use.
What are the risks associated with hair dye and cancer?
Hair dye and cancer have unfortunately been linked for some time. The presence of so many chemical substances in a single hair dye can significantly impact health and induce mutations in cells.
Studies have shown this, particularly a cross-analysis of several studies conducted by the French Public Health Information Service (SPIS). The use of permanent hair dyes is associated with a 19% increased risk of breast cancer. Skin cancer has also been highlighted by another study, indicating a potential risk for certain women. Having the dye directly in contact with your scalp, hair, and even skin can be dangerous. During the color’s processing time, harmful substances have ample opportunity to penetrate and affect your health.
Hair dye and cancer are unfortunately closely connected, given the harmful ingredients involved. More surprisingly, one frequently discussed association is between hair dye and bladder cancer. Research has shown that exposure to certain chemicals present in dyes can be linked to this type of cancer, as some of these substances are excreted through urine. This risk is even higher for hairdressers, who are exposed to elevated doses of these chemicals daily.
There is also an identified risk for leukemia and lymphomas, cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. While consumers are still at risk, it is generally lower compared to hairdressing professionals who handle these products on a daily basis.
Is it possible to color your hair while protecting your health?
It’s not realistic to ask someone to give up coloring their hair altogether, nor should one take risks with their health just for the sake of beauty.
A few simple precautions can already help, such as always wearing gloves when applying conventional dye and ensuring the room is well ventilated. A patch test on a small area of skin before application is also essential.
However, the best solution is to avoid chemical hair dyes entirely. As explained earlier, even ammonia-free dyes can still be harmful, as other aggressive chemicals are often used to replace it.
Over the long term, these products can truly harm your health. Thankfully, there is now an alternative that represents the future of hair coloring: plant-based hair dye.
Professional plant-based hair coloring: the one that protects you
Hairborist’s plant-based hair color is made solely from plants and water.
Free from harsh chemical irritants, it is suitable for everyone, including the most sensitive individuals. It contains no PPD, the highly chemical component that can be worrying when coloring your hair. PPD is responsible for numerous allergies and can even contribute to more serious health issues if one is exposed to it too often. This is why plant-based coloring is the best solution to avoid the “hair dye and cancer” concern.
Plant-based hair color also helps preserve the environment, it is biodegradable and gentle on ecosystems. Yes, it is possible to color your hair without harming your health or that of the planet.
At Hairborist, we select pure, natural, high-quality plant powders. To offer you a wide range of shades, each type of powder has its own unique characteristics. We have 22 pigments that allow for a broad choice of tones: blonde, copper, brown, black… Everything is possible with plant-based hair color, except unnatural shades like purple or pink. It is also not possible to lighten hair naturally, as lightening agents are chemical. We want only the best for your health and your hair’s well-being.
Every woman should have the right to color her hair without worrying about her health. Coloring hair has become a necessity for many of us, and a necessity should never be dangerous. Cancer and hair coloring should not be linked.
We strongly encourage you to learn more about Hairborist’s plant-based coloring, and why not take the leap? You can contact us for any questions you may have about it.
Share this article
Similar articles
Meaningful Christmas gift ideas rooted in wellness and natural cosmetics
Sometimes the most beautiful gift is a moment of softness. With a personalised natural haircare routine, a tailor-made oil treatment and a touch of aromatherapy, you offer calm, wellness and heartfelt attention. A Christmas gift that doesn’t get lost in the holiday rush, but lingers long after.
Hairborist blonde hair dye: what are the 100% natural possibilities?
What are the possibilities for dyeing your hair blonde with 100% natural pigments? At Hairborist, you’ve come to the right place! We offer the largest collection of blonde pigments in the plant-based hair dye market. In this article, we explore all the different blonde shades you can achieve, using plants only, to enhance your hair naturally…
Oil bath for blonde hair: does it make hair yellow?
Does an oil bath make blonde hair yellow? Spoiler alert: it’s a completely false myth circulating on social media. A hair oil bath, when done correctly, can even help neutralise yellow tones and correct brassiness to achieve a luminous blonde. Oil can act similarly to a purple shampoo that…