What Are the Dangers of Permanent Hair Color?

It seems like an innocent thing to use permanent hair color. A person may just want to lighten the hair or make it darker. She might just want to get rid of a few grey hairs popping up on her head. But the chemicals contained in hair dyes, when used many times, can actually cause some types of cancer to occur in the body. It is scary to think that the chemicals in a seemingly innocent bottle of hair dye and the developing agent can harm a person.

Harmful Chemicals

• There are several chemicals found in hair dyes that can cause a person harm. They include: ammonia, coal tar, DMDM Hydantoin, lead acetate and PPD.
  Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is used to darken the hair and is listed by the Center for Disease Control as a potential allergen. PPD is commonly known to cause redness, soreness, itching, a burning sensation, and headaches. A report by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute states that prolonged exposure to dark hair dyes may increase the occurrence of various forms of cancer such as: bladder cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

DMDM Hydantoin

• DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative found in hair dyes that has been given restricted usage in Japan. According the United States Food and Drug administration (the FDA), DMDM has been linked to immune system problems.

Coal Tar

• Coal tar is an ingredient in hair dyes and some dandruff shampoos, and according to the FDA, it can cause cancer in laboratory animals. The ingredient that is believed by the FDA found in coal tar that can cause cancer is called 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine.

Ammonia

• Ammonia is contained in hair dyes. Other than the nasty smell that ammonia creates, it can cause skin inflammation, coughing and difficulty breathing. Ammonia is often used in household cleaning products to create a bright, clean home.

Lead Acetate

• Lead acetate can also be potentially harmful when used many times to dye the hair. Lead was taken out of household paints years ago due to its potential risks. Lead is said to disrupt the function of the brain's neurotransmitters and can also cause blood clots, affect the sensory development and reduce intelligence levels.

Precautions

• Pregnant women are advised by health care professionals not to dye their hair. They are also advised not to even highlight the hair or use a hair color that is semi-permanent. The chemicals may cross over to the placenta, thus harming the fetus. Read the labels of hair dyeing products to steer away from these harmful chemicals.