Hairdressers and Regular Users of Hair Dying Products have High Risk of Cancer: Study

Regular use of hair dyes and coloring products can increase the risk of cancers, warns a study.

Many permanent colorants and perming products contain carcinogenic chemicals like 'toluidines' that are officially banned in cosmetics by the European Union. Swedish researchers discovered hairdressers and frequent users of hair dye have high levels of the hazardous chemicals in their blood that is known to cause bladder and other forms of cancers. Colorants of dark shades have higher traces of toluidine compared to lighter color hair products.

Experts at Lund University examined blood samples of 295 female hairdressers, 32 people who regularly dyed their hair and 60 people who did not use these products for years. The study measured the levels of eight types of carcinogenic aromatic substituent including 'toluidine' in the blood of the participants.  It was observed the average levels of aromatic amines ranged between 0 to 200 picograms for every gram of blood in all three groups.

The hairdressers and regular hair dye users' blood contained higher amount of o- and m- toluidines due to repeated exposure to coloring products. People who permed their hair often also had increased level of o- toluidines.

Hair styling and dressing is a revenue generating facet of the beauty business. Yet, the job of the hairdressers and stylists is not free from health consequences and risk of cancer. Majority of cosmetic products are made from deadly chemical substances and its prolonged use can have adverse effects on skin and hair. According to the study reports, during the1970's, majority of hair coloring products were made from carcinogenic chemicals that called up the need to pose a ban. These findings urge people to limit exposure to chemicals and take precautionary measures like wearing gloves while coloring hair

'We believe that the main exposure is skin contact. Our study shows that there might be a possible exposure from modern hair dyes. People using hair dye should be using disposable gloves and should try to minimize skin contact as much as possible," said Gabriella Johansson, study author and researcher from Lund University's Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, reports the Daily Mail.

More information is available online in the British Medical Journal.