Is Your Hair Color Safe?

by Sally Painter on October 31, 2009

The hair dying process requires that the hair cuticle be popped open so the dye can be deposited to the shaft. This popping open of the hair cuticle can’t be done without chemical assistance.

Most permanent hair dyes contain these chemicals that are necessary in order to transform gray hair to brown, red or blond as well as dark hair to light.

• Ammonia: If inhaled can cause respiratory illness.
• Resorcinol: Used in agricultural applications and flame-retardants. Can be toxic to your liver, endocrine or cardiovascular systems.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Burns away bacteria and will also break down your hair’s natural melanin (color pigment) which will give your hair color what’s known as lift. This means your hair color will lift a shade lighter.

Chemicals in Permanent Hair Color Dyes
• Naphthylamine (Known Carcinogen)
• Phenylenediamines (Can cause allergic reactions)
• Toluene Diamines (Considered Federal Toxic Air Pollutant)
• Aniline Dyes (Can cause bladder cancer)

You may be like many women and think if you purchase a temporary dye, you’re lessening the risks associated with permanent hair dyes. However, look at the chemicals found in many of these temporary color treatments

Chemicals Used in Temporary Hair Dyes
• Arsenic
• Bismuth
• Denatured Alcohol
• Lead
• Mercury
• Pyrogallol
• Silver

If you opt to use natural hair colors, you’ll discover that the most you can lift your hair will be to one or two shades lighter than your natural color. If you’re a natural brunette and wish to be a blond, a natural hair color won’t be able to do this. Even some natural colors do oftentimes have some hydrogen peroxide, so read the labels.

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