Is Hair Dye Bad For You?
Also Known As: hair coloring
Short answer
There are some risks associated with hair dye, but it is generally safe to use. However, to avoid damaging your hair, irritating your skin or getting dye in your eyes, you should follow all directions carefully or visit a licensed cosmetologist instead.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Hair dye is more than a habit for some of us—it’s become a part of who we are. Whether it’s used to create a bold new look or simply cover up graying roots, a study by Clairol found that nearly 75 percent of all American women color their hair. And interestingly enough, that same survey revealed that 88 percent of women believe their hair has a direct impact on their confidence.
So while hair dye may help us look and feel better, it’s important to understand and evaluate the health risks that come along with it.
Permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are comprised of many different chemicals: ammonia, resorcinol, ethanol alcohol and parabens, just to name a few. The concern is that some of them could seep into your scalp and be absorbed into your bloodstream. However, numerous studies have been performed on this and none have found a link between hair dye and cancer. To date, neither the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) nor the National Toxicology Program (NTP) has classified hair dye exposure as carcinogenic to humans.
But that doesn’t mean that hair dye is 100 percent risk-free.
First of all, hair dye is not good for your hair. Although many dyes claim to “nourish” or “replenish” your hair, this is largely false advertising. These chemicals dry out your strands, which can lead to frizz and breakage. Some dyes are not as harsh as others, but they all have potentially damaging effects. To keep your color fresh but minimize the breakage, try to go longer between touch-ups and use deep conditioning masks to restore moisture.
Secondly, and as mentioned previously, hair dye contains many different chemicals. So if the dye is applied incorrectly or left on too long, it can irritate the skin. This causes redness, soreness, itching, and much general discomfort. Allergic reactions are also possible - which it’s important to request or perform a test patch on your skin before soaking your scalp in the dye.
Finally, dye can be dangerous because of your hair’s close proximity to your eyes. That’s why the FDA has banned hair dyes for lash and brow tinting. Accidentally spilling dye into the eye can cause serious damage, including permanent blindness. For this reason alone, it might be worthwhile to consider having a licensed cosmetologist do the job.
If you do choose to dye your hair at home, take safety precautions. Be sure to read the box and follow all directions carefully. Perform a test patch first to ensure you’re not allergic. Even if you pass, it’s still a good idea to wear rubber gloves when applying the dye. Avoid contact with your eyes, and be sure to rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly afterward.
Possible short-term side effects
- scalp itching and irritation
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skin discoloration
Possible long-term side effects
Ingredients to be aware of
- ammonia
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resorcinol
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ethanol alcohol
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parabens
Benefits
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