What triggers allergic reactions to hair dyes? This article explains the symptoms caused by hair dyes and how to treat them. There are a number of chemicals in hair dyes and it is almost impossible not to have some sort of reaction to the product. The symptoms vary based on your skin sensitivity as well as the actual chemicals used in the product. 

This journal is from a popular women’s magazine and rather than focusing on the physical effects the hair dye causes on the body this article focuses on what the dye actually does to the hair itself. The author lists multiple ways people try to dye their hair and the reasons why they individually do not work. Using ammonia contains alkaline pH, which causes the cuticle to swell and ultimately damages the hair. Other examples include, Hydrogen Peroxide, Boxed Colors, Kool-Aid, White Vinegar, and the most dangerous Bleach. This journal is written very well with specific questions about hair dye and what types of dye do what and what to use instead. This is a great article/ tool for me to use because it explains how hair dye is dangerous to women who do not know what chemicals are in the product and how dangerous they are.

Julie McCabe, 39 dies after suffering an extreme reaction to a L’Oreal hair dye. A mother of four went into a coma after suffering a massive allergic reaction to a chemical in her hair dye. She had a heart attack and died a day later. Mrs. McCabe’s widower Russell claims that “the tragedy may have been prevented if labels had a clearer warning of severe reactions.” Julie had used the product for three years, including buying a new box of dye for her hair each month. 

Rebecca Gurnard was interested when a local study came out proving that over 90 percent of women who have had their hair dyed have had signs of irritation and pain after their hair recently been dyed. She wanted to study the research of not only the chemicals in hair dye but when they react when combined and put on a human body. Rebecca wanted to make a point and prove to women and men to be careful when using dyes on their hair. Throughout her research she has come to a conclusion that the darker the color you choose do dye your hair the more likely you are to receive bladder cancer.  One case even describes dying hair the same as “dying Easter eggs.”. Her citations are all from well-known websites and websites using.gov,.org. Rebecca has also interviewed many researchers such as doctors and professors. She has even interviewed local and well-known hairstylists to view their opinion of the effects of hair dye. I will use her interviews as well as her research with the FDA and what they use to use in hair dye as well as the chemical formula that causes hair dye to be dangerous. The sources I found for the first ILP were great start to help me research this topic but this article really puts in perspective how dangerous hair dye really is.

This next article is written by the National Cancer Institute, which goes into detail on the link between cancer and dyeing hair. The chemicals when mixed creating the overall color are pretty dangerous, then when mixing them on a human head can lead to issues. Studies of the association between hair dyes and leukemia have had conflicting results, but in one case studies have shown that bladder cancer is more likely to be involved. The article states not just one type of cancer hair dyes can lead to, there are three other types that can be linked. This is a great article to use because it is actually a factual website and most everyone has heard about this website. 

Actress Pauley Perrette, from the show NCIS had to be hospitalized due to the allergic reaction she had after getting her hair dyed. This video shows a news broadcasting show News 4 Jax, covering her story as well as bringing a specialist on the show to get the real inside scoop. This is a really helpful tool I can use because a celebrity had a reaction to hair dye, which supports my research topic more than an average person. This is very credible because there are pictures shown of Pauley’s face as well as a woman who specializes on this topic also because it was broadcasted to everyday news viewers.

There are over twenty individual references and there is more than one article written by the author, as well as interviews done and other Dr.’s explain their research found when studying and experimenting on cancer cells and how the chemicals in hair dye are causing them to grow and expand.

Right off the bat author Dr. Manuela Gago-Dominguez starts her journal with “Women who dye monthly for 1 year have a 2.1fold higher risk of disease,” which is already catching the attention of women who never knew their hair dye was even dangerous. Throughout the article Dr. Manulea throws countless data and statistics trying to inform the reader right away not to “mess around” with this threat not only to users but hairstylist too. “Occupational exposure to hair dyes was also shown to increase risk of bladder cancer.” Dr. Manulea puts things into perfect perspective making it known that “women using hair dyes have twice the risk of bladder cancer than cigarette smoking.” Millions of people in this world smoke and for people to read that fact really opens your eyes. The author and her colleagues are so dedicated to finding out how the two (hair dye and bladder cancer) correlate that they have been working on the case for 10 years now. Their audience is women who use hair dyes, because they specifically address “women” throughout the whole essay. There are multiple viewpoints such as, the author interviewing others about their own findings. The whole article is facts and backed up information about the research she has done and what other Dr.’s has found by using data and statistics. She even mentions that she has interviewed and analyzed over 897 different cases, so she obviously knows what she is doing, therefore supporting and proving my credential is legit.

In 2006 a twelve-year-old girl named Sandra Velasquez won the 2006 California State Science Fair”. Sandra’s purpose for the experiment was to see if dyeing and bleaching hair affects the strength of the hair. She tested this project on herself as well as two of her other friends. Sandra left her hair natural while one of the friends used hair dye and the other used a bleach based product. The results were just as Sandra expected, both the girls had weaker hair than Sandra’s natural hair. In the end Sandra found out that her natural hair ended up being 16 percent stronger than dyed hair and 27 percent stronger than bleached hair. The hair that had been bleached was weaker because the acids in the coloring products had damaged the protein structure of hair making it weaker and brittle.

There are many things to consider before choosing to dye your hair and that is exactly what this article is about. Hairstylist Monica goes into detail of the process before dyeing your hair as well as what to think about when choosing the dye color. Monica goes into detail on how much damage dye causes to the hair, as well as other alternatives to consider. Companies now have come out with “Ion Demi-Permanent Dye,” which is ammonia, dye, and bleach-free. Monica uses this product “religiously” and does not experience any breakage, or shedding after using this color system. The Demi-Permanent Dye makes dyeing hair possible without any consequences.

There are many controversial opinions on hair dyes and if the chemicals in them are harmful or not. Throughout my research I have found multiple case studies, interviews, labs, and real life examples of people negatively affected by hair dyes. My research topic is focused on what makes hair dyes so dangerous. Hair dyes not only lead to damage on the actual hair but risk the health of the hairdressers as well. Many people already know that hair dyeing products can ruin hair and cause complications. Despite people knowing the risks, I am still left wondering why they are not concerned about the side effects hair dyes cause. Millions of people dye their hair, but hair dye can cause lasting damage and serious health issues. So why do people continue to use the product despite knowing about the risks? Throughout my research, I was struggling trying to find factual and reliable data on this topic. Hair dying companies should make the risks known to the customer as well as hairdressers and beauticians, it might make them stop and reconsider the risks. Today’s society is connected through social media, so all it takes is for one person to realize a flyer or an article they saw and share it. My goal this summer is to make local hairdressers aware that their health themselves could be at risk, as well as spread the word about hair dye chemicals.