# Side-effects of dyeing may leave you tearing your hair!

Category: Health and Wellness

## Post 1 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Friday, 03-Jun-2011 11:26:10

If alchemy is the ancient art of converting base metals into gold, hair dyeing is the modern process of converting silver into an unnatural jet black. Chemicals are involved in both processes, and are especially harmful in the latter. Ideally, there would not be a problem if everyone believed that greying hair is a sign of wisdom, says Ratnavel Pandian, cosmetologist and dermatologist. “However, it clearly is not the prevalent belief, and some people pay the price for it,” he adds.
A lot of people can get allergic to the chemicals in the hair dye, and develop itching, even swelling of the face and boils. The skin of the sides of the face also darkens and is unlikely that pigmentation can be erased.
“In the most extreme case, anaphylactic shock can occur (life-threatening kind of allergic reaction) in people who are extremely allergic to hair dye and can even lead to death,” says A.M.Jayaraman, senior dermatologist, who guided a research programme on the effects of using hair dye when he was at Stanley Medical College.
The study, done some years ago, indicated that 10-15 per cent of people who used hair dye was allergic to it, he adds. Statistically, this is a significant figure, and indicates that one needs to spread awareness about the sideeffects of using chemical products to dye the hair, Dr. Jayaraman says.
Prolonged use of hair dyes can also cause, in the long run, cancer of the scalp, and of the bladder. Dr. Pandian says Para Phenyline Diamine, the primary agent in the hair dye product is a nephrotoxic, affecting the kidneys. PPD is what absorbs sunlight and provides the rich black sheen to hair. A low percentage of PPD (under 2.5) on the label would indicate a better product. He also stresses that it is important to check the label for presence of ammonia in the hair dye. “Ammonia is a strict no-no. It is what causes the allergy.”
In one instance, a young man went into anaphylactic shock and had to be rushed to the hospital's emergency room as his face, larynx and pharynx swelled up and choked him. It was a sheer allergic reaction, and could have been avoided if he had tested the product on his hand or leg before application, as recommended. Some people may be allergic even to herbal products, which also contain some chemicals. So a test must be done to ascertain whether they can be used or not, Dr. Jayaraman, explains.
Dr. Pandian says there is also a specific method of applying hair dye, in instances where it is deemed unavoidable. “Never on the hair roots, they are very sensitive structures. Be gentle, apply only on the surface, do not rub the brush hard onto the roots, especially in the moustache,” he adds.
It is also necessary to space out the periodicity of application, and not do it too often. Immediately after application of hair dye, going out in the sunlight is not recommended.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2071814.ece
Raaj

## Post 2 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 03-Jun-2011 12:40:08

Timely thread...I'm being mistaken by a few, one a child, as my daughter's GRANDMOM...and i'm just starting to get some grey. Was giving some thought to a color done by a professional, but this is expensive and being prone to vascular headaches, chemical fumes can be a trigger. Is it strictly the black dye, as my natural hair color isn't black and I'd want to stay close to natural, or all dyes/highlights?

## Post 3 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Friday, 03-Jun-2011 13:14:28

In fact, I've also started dying my hair (which I'm having only at the back part of my head), with black dye. since the stupid white hair started appearing here and there. But, I usually go for good branded thing. so that we can at least avoid risk for few percentage. eh? but I dye that once in a month time. As per my personal opinion, once if you feel allergetic to something or some particular brand, don't ever try that again. Give at least two weeks gap. Then I guess it'd be good to go. lol.
Raaj

## Post 4 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Friday, 03-Jun-2011 16:43:40

hair dyes are getting safer, but only a little bit. To me, perms are worse. I only did it once, and I regretted it until every last curl grew out and was cut off. Dye isn't as bad, but get ammonia free if possible.

## Post 5 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 12:24:32

Perms? sorry for my foolishness, I dono what is perms.
Raaj

## Post 6 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 16:07:47

I always chuckle when people say that something can cause cancer. Nearly every major product has been said that it causes cancer. Garlic, coffee, eggs, milk, the list is endless, and they've all been said to cause cancer at one point in time. Most of them have also been said to be helpful at one point too. So be careful what studies you look at.
For example, I'm sure you've heard that secondhand smoke causes cancer, its in the news all the time. You probably yelled at a smoker once or twice in the back of your mind for putting you at risk. But, did you know that the study that was done by the EPA to find that secondhand smoking is bad, was actually faked? The actual findings were non-conclusive. Which doesn't mean anything either way.

## Post 7 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 20:37:03

Raaj, perms are basically man made permanent curls. You go to a hair dresser, they put those little plastic curlers in your hair, then pour this nasty chemical compound on your hair and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then you rince it out and put in yet another compound for another ten minutes or so. then they rince that out, and with any luck, your hair is curly. My hair stank for two days, and I wasn't allowed to wash it for three.
Cody, I've often thought the same thing about those studies. Statistics? what are those? Numbers to make a particular person's point of view look better. the outcome depends on how the tests are performed as much as the subject of the study itself. Nobody gets out of life alive anyway, so do what makes you happy. Proceed with caution, of course, but don't let one statistic get in your way.

## Post 8 by squidwardqtentacles (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 20:58:30

I remember when the perm was at its heyday at my high school back in the '80's, and all I could think was "No thanks". Even young women you know don't have naturally curly hair...like Chinese...were getting perms, and "Poodlehead" was a common nickname. The ammonia content had a tendency to lighten hair, and young women with beautiful black hair would come back with a lightened shade. It's more practical in Florida and similar climates for women with baby fine hair who don't want it to just hang limp in the summer especially, but two compounds for 30 minutes total, stink for 2 days, no hair wash for 3? Again, no thanks...

## Post 9 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 23:24:27

o god! perms sound painful. I won't go for that then. But I do want my hair to be black. so I'll stick on with this hair dye which is not giving any trouble to me so far. other than it's going off or fading in a week time. I wash my hair all days with shampoo though.
Raaj

## Post 10 by BELLA LOVE (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Saturday, 04-Jun-2011 23:59:11

That reminds me, i need to get my hair dyed again. Ive been wanting to do it for 2months now. I have not had no problems with dyeing my hair. I do it myself, i don't go to no professional. And now since im growing my hair to my butt it will take a bit longer and most likely 2 boxes to get the job done right. (:

## Post 11 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Sunday, 05-Jun-2011 1:37:26

oo wow. that much longer? I love long hair with girls. go for a good branded dye. don't keep that on for not more than 20 minutes.
Raaj

## Post 12 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Sunday, 05-Jun-2011 14:16:37

Perms don't hurt necessarily. I mean, I guess if you have a sensitive scalp it might burn a little, but the worst part is the smell, and the frizz that comes afterwards.
Dyes really have gotten a lot safer, and usually come with a conditioner that helps prevent as much damage as possible. they often contain vital nutrients that help moisturize the hair, as well as enhancing the effects of the dye. I heard that when hair dye was a new thing, they used to burn the hair and cause some major damage. I don't think that's the case now. I dyed my hair once in middle school, and have highlighted it twice. After getting the perm, I don't think any hair colouring experience will bother me too much. hahaha.

## Post 13 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Monday, 06-Jun-2011 5:51:05

Now now I do wana experience perms. how long or in another words, once in how many weeks or months we've to do that? this bloody dye fading in a couple of weeks or so.
Raaj.

## Post 14 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 06-Jun-2011 16:40:48

I find that professional coloring, while more expensive, does a better job, lasts longer, and tends to be a more natural looking color. I've also found that shampoos that are designed for color-treated hair really do work to help preserve a new color job. Some colors like red do fade quicker. I use professional products on my hair. They work better, don't leave residue, are ore concentrated, and seem to last a lot longer. They're lots of online websites where you can buy salon products at really discounted prices.

## Post 15 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 08-Jun-2011 19:00:41

I remember the stink stank stunk of perms when the ladies of the house growing up would start doing those. It was a great time ... to be gone!