AIBU to ask about this hair dye and breast cancer study

[Wilmalovescake]

I normally think stuff like this is a bit “tin foil hat” territory but this study is fairly large scale and I must admit, as a long term hair dye devotee it’s made me think today.

I note that the Cambridge guy quoted in the article said the link hasn’t been proven as causal though.

Anyone got any thoughts? Part of me thinks it’s bollocks, but part of me wonders if dumping chemicals on my scalp every 3-4 weeks is more stupid than I’ve ever given it credit for...

//www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/hair-dye-breast-cancer-chemical-straighteners-study-a9232966.html%3famp

[MyCatHatesEverybody]

Correlation does not = causation. YANBU to wonder about it though.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27537142

[Wilmalovescake]

No, it doesn’t. And women who are most likely to be dying their hair regularly to eg cover grey are increasing in age and therefore more likely to develop breast cancer anyway.... but 60% higher in black women who dyed every 3-8 weeks did make me pause a bit.

[joCmummy]

Ok I've heard this before and like you I was on the fence. But my mom dyed her hair from being young every few weeks and passed from breast cancer. I reassessed everything from laundry detergent to makeup to limit my chemical exposure just in case. Now I'm a bit grey myself I use henna occasionally if I'm going somewhere nice (where pictures may be take 😂😂). For me it's a just not worth the chance. That being said I'm on Mumsnet at the mo cos I'm stuck in bed with suspected pneumonia so even if you reduce every risk you still pick up and develop stuff!

[lunaballoonabear]

My uncle has spent a lifetime researching this sort of thing, he is a colour chemist and has worked on ink, clothing and hair dyes. (he once made the queens eyes glow red in a mock up bank note when he was working on security features, he's done some very cool stuff.)

One thing he said to me a while ago was that there was a chemical used in hair dye that was banned in the textile industry decades ago, because of these links.

He has researched the link between hair dye and cancer and it is definitely there, I think he said something about certain chemicals absorb the pollutants in the atmosphere that then cause the link, but my O level Chemistry was a very long time ago.

I do know his research came across some resistance from the big corporations, who he has also worked with from time to time.

The more research that goes on the more we find out, does anyone remember the green styling gel we all used in the '80s. My parents (notorious hoarders) still had my old jar, almost empty, in the bathroom we looked at the ingredients and it had formaldehyde in it!!!

There's no denying that millions of people use hair dye daily (including his own DD) and are absolutely fine, but that doesn't mean for some the link isn't there.

[Wilmalovescake]

That’s really interesting Luna.
I’ve been wondering for a while about embracing my grey. Maybe I should just do it once and for all.

[Cocolapew]

I have an autoimmune disease and I noticed a few years ago I was going into a flare every time I dyed my hair.
I started bleaching it but went the same way.
I'm grey now

[Coldemort]

@Coco it's not HS that you have is it? Because that's given me food for thought..

[Emeraldshamrock]

I don't know. My neighbour is 86 with jet black hair.
I heard similar about using fake tan, I spent all these years avoiding sunbeds using fake tan. You can't win.

[Cocolapew]

It's Lupus Coldemort. It took me a while to realise,
It was usually a week or 10 days after it was happening, not straight away.
But never more than 10 days.

[Auberjean]

Is there any sort that is safe? Not black, though!!

[NeedAnExpert]

to limit my chemical exposure just in case

What do you breathe?

[Wilmalovescake]

That is interesting Cocola. Your body bloodily didn’t like the chemicals then. Hmm...

[Wilmalovescake]

Obviously, not bloodily!!

[Fraggling]

Top marks for tedious pedantry to needanexpert there!

[Orangeblossom78]

Henna could be a natural option. I like the Lush bars.

[NeedAnExpert]

Natural =/= safe.

[Wilmalovescake]

I am amused by this study being shared by a friend on FB who I KNOW gets Botox and fillers....