Dyeing Hair: Effect and Side Effects on Health

Hair dyes – especially chemical ones – have a very bad reputation. It is said that they cause cancer, there is also talk of allergic reactions, liver and kidney damage. In pregnancy, it is even completely discouraged from dyeing hair, as it is said to be harmful to health. But what is there to these claims and what should you pay attention to when coloring your hair? And how are actually natural hair dyes to be evaluated? You can find out in the following. The 10 worst beauty traps

Do hair dyes cause cancer?

In fact, there are scientific studies that link hair dyes to the development of cancer. According to these studies, people who regularly dye their hair (or have their hair dyed), but especially hairdressers, would have a significantly higher risk of cancer than the rest of the population. To these studies one refers again and again and from it is derived that hair colorants are dangerous in highest measure. However, it is rarely mentioned that the study results are not valid for modern hair dyes. Because: the studies and thus also the examined products are several decades old.

The current state of research

The substances that were contained in hair dyes back then are now banned from ingredient lists. A new EU regulation has been in effect since 2006: Now only ingredients for which safety dossiers are available are allowed. The European Commission describes the hair dyes available in the EU as very safe. However, there is one substance of concern: aromatic amines, which are often found in hair dyes. Research is still needed on them, as they are also associated with an increased risk of cancer. New findings are constantly being made in research. So, of course, it is possible that in the future it will turn out after all that one or another ingredient of hair dyes is harmful.

Allergies to hair dyes

Even if the risk of cancer is not increased by hair dyeing according to current findings, hair dyes are not entirely harmless even according to current knowledge. Many of them contain chemicals, some of which can trigger severe allergic reactions – up to and including anaphylactic shock. Among the substances that particularly frequently trigger allergies are:

  • Toluene-2,5-diamine sulfates
  • Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
  • Resorcinol

Some of them are also said to be able to damage the liver and kidneys. That these effects could occur when dyeing hair is not excluded. Ammonia, which is used in many hair dyes to dissolve the protective cuticle of the hair, so that the color pigments can penetrate better, also makes the scalp more permeable to harmful substances.

Test the compatibility of hair coloring in advance?

Most manufacturers of agents with which you can dye or tint your hair yourself advise a compatibility test in the instructions for use. To do this, the agent should first be applied in the crook of the elbow and then observe the reaction. Only if no allergy symptoms appear for twenty-four hours, one should tint or dye the hair. However, this recommendation is controversial. The organism can only react allergically to a substance that it already knows. Thus, it is possible that sensitization takes place through the test on the arm, but no reaction appears yet. This then occurs only with the actual hair coloring.

Avoid skin contact with hair dye

The less contact the hair dye has with the skin, the lower the risk of allergy. Therefore, gloves should definitely be worn when self-dyeing. These are usually enclosed with the packages. Be careful not to exceed the specified exposure time, so that the scalp is not in contact with the hair dye longer than necessary. Dyeing methods where the product does not come into contact with the scalp at all are preferable to avoid contact allergies. This includes, for example, highlights or the so-called ombre style, in which only the lengths and tips are colored. Some chemicals found in hair dyes have a skin-irritating effect. For example, dyeing can cause burning and itching scalp and redness. If you notice corresponding symptoms, you should wash out the product directly to be on the safe side or inform the hairdresser.

Dyeing hair during pregnancy?

It is often advised against coloring or tinting the hair during pregnancy. The dyes that are available on the German market do not contain any substances that have been proven to be harmful to health according to current knowledge. Nevertheless, it cannot be completely ruled out that damage to health may occur. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and want to be completely safe, you should therefore refrain from coloring your hair.

How do hair dyes work?

So-called oxidation hair dyes, better known as hair dyes (as opposed to tints), consist of two components:

  • One component (for example, hydrogen peroxide) destroys the hair’s natural color pigments. It can also at least partially attack color pigments from previous dyeing processes.
  • The second component introduces those components of the agent into the hair, which are responsible for color formation. Through chemical reactions, the color molecules become so large that they can no longer leave the hair.

Only such hair dyes act permanently and can also be used to dye gray hair. Even if the hair is to be lightened, an oxidation hair dye is necessary.

Permanent hair dyes: harmful to the hair.

However, such products attack the hair because they make its protective layer permeable. The severity of the damage depends on how much distance there is between hair coloring. Frequent coloring and especially strong lightening are particularly stressful for the hair. It becomes straw-like, brittle and dries out.

How does hair coloring work?

A hair tint is much gentler. Here, the dye particles accumulate on the outside of the hair. This makes them less durable and the coloring result is not permanent. Since the color can be washed out over time, it is referred to as temporary or semi-permanent hair color. In addition, it is not possible to tint hair lighter or cover gray hair with a tint.

Dye hair without chemicals?

In recent years, there has been much discussion about the risks associated with the use of hair dyes. As a result, many natural products have come on the market. In the meantime, there is a wide range of herbal hair dyes that do not contain any questionable substances and with which you can dye your hair naturally. From a health point of view, these products are to be welcomed. They contain natural substances such as henna, indigo and chamomile. The risk of an allergic reaction is much lower here. Vegetable hair dyes do not attack the hair structure, but wrap around the hair like a protective film, providing care and shine by the way.

Disadvantages of natural hair dyes

However, the same results cannot be achieved with natural hair dyes as with conventional products. Lightening is not possible and gray hair is not completely covered. As with tints, the color fades with each hair wash. Even more than with conventional dyes, the color result depends on the initial hair color. The application of natural dyes is also much more complicated than that of conventional dyes. For example, the exposure time is often significantly longer. Sometimes several dyeing passes must be carried out until the desired intensity is achieved. In addition, the consistency can be problematic, especially if non-professionals use the product alone at home. This can also quickly lead to contamination of clothing or in the bathroom. Furthermore, the natural coloring agent henna can also sometimes trigger allergies.

11 things you should pay attention to when dyeing your hair

To ensure that your health and hair are not overly stressed when dyeing your hair, you should follow these tips:

  1. If you dye your hair yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.
  2. Avoid contact with the skin, if possible: Use protective gloves and prefer dyeing methods where the dye does not come into contact with the scalp.
  3. If possible, do not inhale the dye. Seek medical attention immediately if you get hair dye in your eye or have swallowed it.
  4. A prior compatibility test on the skin is not recommended when self-dyeing, as this may increase the risk of allergy.
  5. For safety’s sake, do not dye your hair during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  6. Also, if you have scalp problems such as psoriasis, you should refrain from coloring your hair.
  7. Dyes without ammonia are not necessarily better for the hair: alternative alkalizing agents do not volatilize as quickly and can therefore damage the hair more.
  8. Do not dye your hair too often, and if you do, it is better to use natural hair dyes without chemicals.
  9. On already dyed or bleached hair hair dyes can act differently than expected. Go in such a case rather to the hairdresser to avoid unpleasant surprises.
  10. Special shampoo and care products for colored hair can help maintain the color result (for example, silver shampoo against yellow tint). In addition, hair treatments can help to care for the damaged hair and irritated scalp.
  11. UV radiation, chlorine and salt water bleach the hair. This also applies to colored hair. Care products with UV filters can help protect colored hair.

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