Hair Dye Safety
Hair dyes are one of the most studied categories of consumer products and there is an overwhelming amount of safety data on hair dyes - perhaps more than for any other cosmetic product. Many of the basic ingredients used in hair dyes have been used literally for over a century and are allowed for use by key scientific and regulatory bodies globally (the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel [CIR], the EU Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
When one looks at the scientific literature or media reports on hair dyes, two common areas of discussion are found: 1) do hair dyes cause allergic skin reactions and 2) is there an association between hair dye use and cancer. Here are some key facts you should know:
Hair Dye Allergies
- Just like many other products in common use, such as certain foods or drugs, hair dyes can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
- The number of consumers allergic to hair dyes is very small and the majority of these reactions occur at the site of contact many hours after hair dye use and resemble other contact-allergy reactions like nickel, poison ivy, etc.
- With the aim of reducing the risk of allergic reaction as far as possible, it has been recommended for many years that users should carry out a skin sensitivity test 48 hours before application of a hair coloring product. The necessary warnings and instructions for skin testing are on all hair coloring packages.
- Once a consumer is positively identified as allergic to a hair dye ingredient they can (and they should) avoid use of all products containing such ingredient. This is easy to do, since all hair dye product ingredients are clearly labeled on pack.
Cancer Allegations
- A large number of studies exist, relating to hair dyes and cancer - both on basic biology and epidemiology. The weight of scientific evidence supports the conclusion that there is no link between hair dye use and cancer.
- An independent review of more than 80 epidemiology studies on hair dyes (Aug. 2003) concluded that no causal link has been established between long term use of hair dyes and any type of cancer. In August 2006, an additional 17 studies conducted since the 2003 review were evaluated and the conclusion remained unchanged. The CIR has summarized these studies on its website (http://www.cir-safety.org/findings.shtml ) in which the Expert Panel state that "the available epidemiology studies are insufficient to conclude there is a causal relationship between hair dye use and cancer and other endpoints".
Hair Dyes are Safe
Based upon the extensive available safety data, consumers can feel confident of the safety of today's hair dye formulations. It is also important to know that hair dye manufacturers are fully committed to funding ongoing research in the area of safety, with an aim to provide ever-increasing levels of confidence and reassurance to our consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Use of Hair Dyes
Question 1: Do hair coloring products present health risks?
For the consumer:
No. Hair coloring products present no health risk for the consumer when used as directed on the product label.
Hair coloring products are some of the most extensively studied consumer products on the mass consumer market. Their safety has been established for decades and has been continually updated thanks to many research studies.
For hair professionals:
No. Hair coloring products present no health risk for the hair salon professional.
Professional hair dye products are among the most extensively studied beauty products on the market today. Their safety has been established for decades and has been continually confirmed thanks to many research studies.
Professional use requires safety precautions mentioned on the packaging and on the specification sheet, such as using appropriate disposable gloves during mixing, application and rinsing of a hair colorant. A recently published study confirms that following such safety precautions offers sufficient protection against local and systemic exposure to hair dye components such as PPD. Based upon data such as this, it can be concluded that professional exposure to oxidative hair dyes does not pose a risk to human health (Hueber-Becker, et al, Food and Chemical Toxicology 45: 160-169, 2007).
Question 2: Do hair coloring products cause allergies?
Just like many other products in common use, such as certain foods or drugs, hair dyes can cause allergic skin reactions in some individuals. The number of consumers allergic to hair dyes is very small and the majority of these reactions occur at the site of contact many hours after hair dye use, often resembling other contact-allergy reactions like nickel, poison ivy, etc.
With the aim of reducing the risk of allergic reaction as far as possible, the FDA has been recommending for many years that users should systematically carry out a skin sensitivity test 48 hours before application of a hair coloring product. The necessary warnings and instructions for skin testing are on all hair coloring packages.
Once a consumer is positively identified as allergic to a hair dye ingredient they can (and should) avoid use of all products containing such ingredient. This is relatively easy to do, as all hair dye product ingredients are clearly labeled on the product packaging.
Hair dyes are among the most thoroughly studied consumer products and they can be used in complete confidence.
Question 3: Are hair coloring products likely to cause cancers?
Although some studies1 have suggested that some hair coloring products may increase risks of cancer, no causal link between the use of hair colorants products and cancer has been demonstrated.
Infact, several recent analyses, including a rigorous review of 79 studies conducted in 11 countries over the last 40 years, find no association between hair coloring products and an increased risk of any type of cancer1, 2.
Question 4: Do hair colorants have a mutagenic or toxic effect for future generations?
Studies have shown that hair colorants have no mutagenic or toxic effect on reproduction in living systems. While some laboratory cell culture studies (i.e., what are called ‘in vitro' tests) have shown preliminary evidence of mutagenic potential for hair dyes, more realistic follow-up testing in whole, living systems (i.e., what is termed ‘in vivo' testing) has confirmed that exposure to hair dyes will not cause any mutagenic effects in consumers or toxic effects on future generations.
Question 5: Who checks the safety of hair coloring products which are put on the market? The authorities or the manufacturers?
Hair coloring products are cosmetic products governed by various regulations around the world (e.g., the US Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act3 and the European Union's Cosmetics Directive4). Under these laws, it is the product manufacturer's responsibility to ensure that the product and all of its ingredients are safe for consumers under the intended conditions of use. This is a responsibility that hair dye manufacturers take very seriously. All information supporting the safety of a product is kept by the manufacturers and made available upon request to the authorities.
In addition, manufacturers have, for many years, submitted safety data on hair colorants to independent scientific bodies such as the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) and the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR) so that they can deliver independent scientific opinions. No hair dye product is introduced to the marketplace unless the manufacturer is assured of its safety.
Question 6: I have been using hair coloring products for many years. Should I stop?
Hair colorants present no health risk for the consumer when they are used under their normal conditions of use.
Such products are among the most extensively studied consumer products on the mass consumer market. Their safety has been established for decades and has been continually updated thanks to many research studies. There is, therefore, no scientifically established reason for you to stop coloring your hair.
EXCEPTION: If you have experienced an allergic reaction to a hair dye product, you should stop and consult with a dermatologist.
Question 7: Can a pregnant woman continue to color her hair?
If a woman normally colors her hair, there is no scientifically established reason for her to stop coloring her hair during pregnancy.
However, if she is at all worried, she should consult her doctor.
Question 8: Are hair dyes safe for children:
Hair dyes are not recommended to be used on children.
It is also not advisable to highlight or bleach a child's either at home or in a salon. If a child's hair has already been colored, highlighted or bleached, we recommend it not be repeated.
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References
1. Takkouche B et. al., Personal use of hair dyes and risk of cancer. JAMA, 293 (20):2516-25, 2005. 2. CIR Hair Dye Epidemiology Review, 2006. http://www.cir-safety.org/findings.shtml 3. Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (1938 as amended) 4. Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products.