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Case 1: Dyeing Hair during Pregnancy?
(Posted on 1 November 2008)
Mrs Chan just found that she's 3 months pregnant, but she colored her hair a month ago. Now, she is very worried if hair dye would affect the fetus.
- Is it safe to color hair when pregnant? Is it harmful to the baby?
- I've heard that hair dye will cause cancer, is it true?
- Apart from the risk of suffering from cancer, any side effects due to hair dye?
- Case 2: Dyeing Hair Triggered Skin Allergy
- Before color treatment, is it necessary to conduct skin tests?
- It has been reported that regular hair dyes may cause bladder cancer, how often can we color our hair?
- How to reduce the potential risk of hair dye?
Source: Quality HealthCare
Is it safe to color hair when pregnant? Is it harmful to the baby?
There has been concern whether hair dye used in pregnancy will be absorbed into the skin and cause fetal defect. As the amount is so small, it is not considered to be harmful to baby. However, since we do not have very clear understanding of their (hair dye ingredients) potential adverse effects in human including fetus, it is advisable to refrain from hair dyeing during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester when your baby's major organs are forming.
I've heard that hair dye will cause cancer, is it true?
Many hair dye ingredients are found to be carcinogenic in animals in laboratory studies. However, the existing epidemiology studies have failed to find a causal link to human cancers.
In 2005, Dr. Bahi Takkouche of Spain and his associates analyzed many epidemiology studies on hair dyes and risk for several types of cancer. The study found no elevated risk of bladder and breast cancer associated with personal use of hair dyes.
However, some chemicals in hair dye used in the 1970s are found to be carcinogenic and they have been banned already. However, as the latency period is often longer than 20 years, the possibility of bladder cancer in hairdressers having intensively worked with permanent hair dyes during early decades (before 1980) should be taken into account.
Apart from the risk of suffering from cancer, any side effects due to hair dye?
There are several techniques of hair dyeing: permanent, semi-permanent, temporary and gradual. It is the permanent type that causes most worries.
Hair dye may cause an allergic contact dermatitis reaction. It can happen to anyone - even if you've colored before. The allergic reaction can be serious with severe rash and swelling on the scalp, face and neck.
In the past, people dye hair because they wanted to mask their grey hair, which is a symbol of ageing. However, in recent years, hair dyeing has become a fashion among young people. In fact, hair dyeing should be avoided because of the potential adverse effects, unless in real need (e.g., job nature, social occasions).
Case 2: Dyeing Hair Triggered Skin Allergy
Harry is a model, because of the job nature, he needs regular use of hair dye. Once, he bleached light hair before coloring for a more apparent treatment. However, the bleaching agent stimulated the scalp and resulting in swelling and the emergence of scalp Irritation.
Before color treatment, is it necessary to conduct skin tests?
It will be safer to have an allergy patch test 48 hours before each color treatment. One simple method is to apply a small amount on the forearm and observe for local skin reaction. Parapheneylenediamine (also known as PPD) is the chemical that most commonly cause allergic reaction. Consult a dermatologist if in doubt.
It has been reported that regular hair dyes may cause bladder cancer, how often can we color our hair?
The concern on hair dye causing bladder cancer reported that long-term and regular use of permanent hair dye could increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. However, it is still better to avoid hair dyeing totally.
How to reduce the potential risk of hair dye?
If hair dye is necessary because of work or other reasons, you may refer to the following tips to avoid the potential hazards:
- Choose a hair dye that will stay on your scalp for the least amount of time.
- Wear gloves when you color your hair.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly after coloring your hair.
- Highlight or frost your hair instead. Since the chemicals are not applied directly to your scalp, less hair dye will be absorbed through your skin.
- Treating your hair in a ventilated space to minimize your exposure to the chemicals.
- Use natural hair dyes such as henna which is a vegetable dye.
Source: Quality HealthCare
