Hair dyes and cancer
I have read that using artificial hair dyes could increase the risk of cancer, epecially if you use the darker shades. I have dark brown hair and wish to cover up the grey. I don’t particularly want to use Henna. Do you know of any natural hair dyes I could use?
During research for my honours degree, I carried out laboratory-controlled tests on commercial hair dyes which we were investigating for carcinogenic activity. We found that even weak solutions caused mutations in the bacteria we were monitoring and ever since then, I have worried about chemical hair colouring.
I have now decided to revert back to henna again and have just found an organic source. Hambleden Herbs (01823-401104) sells a henna powder that is 100% organic and which is available only in the typical red henna colour. (Black henna is not henna at all but made from the leaves of Senna which is also used as a laxative, and any other colour variation will have been adulterated with dyes). 200g, which is enough for several dyes, costs £2.90. Add £3.50 p&p.
According to Samuel Epstein and David Steinmann, authors of The Safe Shoppers Bible, a lifetime’s use of permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes, particularly dark and black colours, has been linked with an increased risk of cancer, especially non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukaemia and Hodgkin’s disease. There is also evidence of a increased risk of breast cancer. Temporary dyes and rinses contain chemicals such as Acid Orange 87, Solvent Brown 44, Avid Blue 168, and Acid Violet 73 which have all shown carcinogenic activity and should be avoided.
Bleaches are safe than dyes with few, if any, long-term risks, and hair colourings using pure henna, chamomile and other herbs are safe. Women who start to dye their hair in their 20s have more than twice the risk of developing an associated cancer than those who delay until their 40s.
The only hair dye products these authors recommend are Igora Botanics, Logona, Rainbow research Henna, and Salon Formula Sun-In. Logona is sold by Revital. For more details call 0800-252875.