Hair Dyes: The ones that can cause cancer

We know that hairdressers run a higher risk of developing cancer from their constant exposure to chemicals in hair dyes – but does the same risk apply to us when we use similar products in our home?  Nobody was sure – but a new study has finally given us the answer.

Dark-coloured dyes appear to be the most carcinogenic, and they increase the risk of follicular lymphoma 1.5 times.  Other dyes seem to be safer, unless you have been using them regularly since before 1980, in which case your risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 1.3 times.

In an earlier study, researchers discovered that hairdressers face a “small but consistent” risk of bladder cancer from regularly using dyes and colorants.

(Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, 2008; 167: 1321-31; Lancet Oncology, 2008; 9: 322-3).

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