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Can Hair Dyes Raise Your Risk Of Cancer?

Do you dye your hair frequently? Are you aware of all the aspects of hair dye and how it impacts your health? Read this piece of information to know more.

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Avoid using hair dyes frequently as they have chemicals
People use hair dyes on a regular basis but very less people know that hair dyes can cause a lot of health issues. Though, it is not officially documented that hair dyes can cause cancer but it can be a risk factor. Chemical hair dyes contain PPD [paraphenylenediamine], Hydrogen peroxide, Ammonia, Parabens, Lead acetate and Resorcinol. Read this article to understand what do hair dyes contain, the side effects and precautionary measures.

Chemical Hair Dyes are further classified as:

  1. Temporary dyes - These are found as rinses, shampoos, and sprays and they last for one or two washes. They do not penetrate hair shaft. Since lesser chemicals are used in such hair dyes, these can be recommended as safest option
  2. Semi Permanent - These dyes last for upto 5 to 10 washes. They partially penetrate the hair shafts and contain more chemicals than any
  3. Permanent hair dyes - They penetrate into your hair shaft and give a long lasting color

Other side effects of hair dyes

  • Lung irritation
  • Hair loss
  • Allergic reactions
  • Itching of scalp
  • Throat irritation
  • Skin pigmentation
  • Itching and redness of skin
  • Eye irritation
  • Dryness of hair

What precautions you should keep in mind if you use hair dyes?

It has not been scientifically proved if the available hair dyes cause cancer but then some precautions need to be taken:

  • Always wear gloves in order to prevent contact with chemicals and their exposure to body. Especially people who are barbers and hair dressers are required to take care since they use chemical hair dyes for long hours
  • Control on the frequency of chemical hair dyes
  • Use semi-permanent or temporary hair dyes as they have lesser chemicals
  • It is better to age gracefully than using hair dyes
  • Go for naturally prepared and hair-friendly natural products that make your hair strong and healthy
  • People who are prone to risks of developing non-Hodgkin's cell lymphoma are recommended to avoid dyeing hair
  • Never dye your eyebrows and eyelashes as your eyes can be affected

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