Researchers at the University of Southern California published a paper in the International Journal of Cancer, back in 2001, concluding that women who frequently dye their hair were twice as likely to develop bladder cancer than those who abstain.
So how is it that millions of women still dye their hair? And that among teens, hair coloring is the new make-up?
Apparently, the FDA even attempted to take a stand against hair dye manufacturers back in 1979, but the manufacturers banded together and threatened to sue the FDA, so the FDA backed off. This is the same thing that happened with nitrates – another highly carcinogenic additive to deli meats – producers got together and the FDA gave up. Just saying. Yet another reason not to trust that the FDA is looking out for your interest.
Anyhoo, my uncle recently sent me the coolest article on this controversy and here’s something else about dyeing hair that is worth passing along even if you don’t read the whole article:
“Beauticians are taught the same thing when it comes to hair – that brown dye is a combination of three different dyes. “That’s just fictitious information,” says Tom Despenza. “Brown hair colour is made up of two chemicals.” Both chemicals are colourless, he explains, but they produce brown through a chemical reaction that occurs when they’re combined.
An important distinction exists between colour and dye. Hairdressers are not applying pigments (at least not in the case of permanent hair dye), they are applying a mixture of chemicals to initiate dye formation. The individual dye molecules have to be linked together before they emit colour, so dyes have to sit on the head for 30 minutes to allow this reaction to occur.
For 125 years, the oxidative reaction of PPD has been the extent of hair dye technology. Dr David Lewis, emeritus professor at the University of Leeds in the UK, thinks that this is “crazy”. “Now, I know a lot about dyes and dye stuffs in the textile industry. We would never dream of using this on textiles,” he says. “Primitive, archaic, all these things come to mind. Why do they persist on putting it on human heads?”
The worst chemical you need to watch out for is PPD (para-phenylenediamine) or a related compound called p-aminophenol.
A Safer Alternative to Chemical Hair Dye
Your hair dye manufacturer may list these chemicals and other ingredients, or it may not. Odds are, your salon colorist has no idea what’s in the products s/he uses either.
You have to choose a hair dye that lists every ingredient on the label, as many dyes marketing themselves as “natural” have been found to contain PPD.
Two brands that are safe and list every ingredient are:
Aubrey Color Me Natural
Natural hair colorants made with pure herbals grown and harvested according to ayurvedic traditions.
Contains: indigo, henna, Indian gooseberry, false daisy, mimosa catechu – and nothing else
Free from: PPD, ammonia, peroxide, parabens, resorcinol, or propylene glycol.
Sante
100% natural colours which last 4-6 weeks.
Contains: wheat proteins, botanical colours (eg indigo, beetroot, cassia), nuts (walnut shells)
Free from: peroxide, ammonia, PPD, parabens synthetic colourants, fragrances or preservatives
This article has a comprehensive list of PPD-Free Hair Dye Products. Or just type “hair dyes without ppd” into your search engine
Personally, at age 47, I do not dye my hair at all. Sure, I’ve got some grey – my daughter once asked me if I was going to “get more silver highlights done?” But the grey doesn’t bother me.
I seek to embrace the evidence of my maturity on this earth, rather than clinging to past versions of myself.
My “attractiveness” and self-esteem come from WHO I am – the way I live, the decisions I’ve made to embrace life, freedom, wholeness and expansion. I’m happy to bear evidence of that life.
Will I ever color my hair? Who knows? I may try it at some point. But I do know that anything that I have to do regularly (like brushing my teeth or waxing my moustache!) quickly turns into a chore for me and I just don’t like living that way. So for that reason alone, I may abstain.
Thank you for that, very helpful :). I would like to take this seasons opportunity to hank you for your website, for your constant care and love provided daily in helping all those wanting more. Happy Holiday Seasons to you and yours. See you next year!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Nathalie. I’ve passed along your message to Jini directly. All the best to you and yours as well!
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
Quick question, what about using Kombucha for probiotics? Pros and cons?
Ni Nathalie,
One of Jini’s favorite teas is the Yogi brand green tea with kombucha here:
http://shoppe.listentoyourgut.com/yogi-teas-decaf-green-tea-with-kombucha-chinese-herbs-16-teabags/
While Jini recommends kombucha tea and it may promote good health, it won’t have the same effect as supplementing with probiotics and shouldn’t be considered an alternative.
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
Hi. Nathalie,
What is the best for clearing inflammation from the body naturally and healing sinuses?
Thank you
Hello Shea,
Thank you for your inquiry. You can see information on detoxification here: http://listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/44/detoxification.html
Also here is recommendations for allergies and sinus infection: http://listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/43/allergies-seasonal.html
http://listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/24/sinus-infection.html
You can also look up other symptom recommendations here: http://listentoyourgut.com/heal-your-symptoms.html
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
Hi Jini,
I’m on the SCD diet currently. I have thick, very frizzy hair that is unmanageable. I have never used any chemicals on my hair except shampoo and conditioner and have started using natural ones. In addition to your supplements, what do you recommend? Thank you
Hello Penina,
Using natural shampoo and conditioner is a great start, as well as no chemical products. Here is some information on Jini’s best hair tips that may help you: http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/48/hair-problems.html
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-do-shower-filters-protect-your-health/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/best-natural-hair-gel-and-hairspray/
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
I am allergic t hair dyes is colour me Aubrey hair dye ok to use
Hello Momotaz,
We could not say for certain if that hair dye would bother you or not. It is one of the brands Jini does recommend as a safe alternative to hair dye though. Hope it is able to work out for you.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
what about Henna? this plant has been used as a skin and/or hair dye for centuries.
I use and like the henna products from mehandi.com
They have very comprehensive instructions online
According to their website not all henna is safe so it’s best to research
Hi Jini,
I am challenged with SIBO and trying my best to battle it over the last 3 years. I know I have malnutrition and my hair is thinner and dryer than ever. What can I take to help it come back to life as I fight SIBO and try to preserve what I still have and make it better?
Antoinette
Hi Antoinette! Here is a blog post by Jini on what to take for shiny, healthy hair: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-to-have-healthy-shiny-hair/