Dyes, waving chemicals increase carcinogen exposure in hairdressers

Hairdressers who use light-colored permanent hair dyes and hair-waving treatments are exposed to higher levels of certain carcinogens, which increase with the number of treatments performed per week.

Perspective from Nicole Rogers, MD, FAAD

Researchers examined blood samples for the levels of eight potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines — ortho (o)-toluidine, meta (m)-toluidine, para (p)-toluidine, 2-, 3-, 4-ethylaniline (EA), and 2, 3- and 3, 4-dimethylaniline — to determine hairdressers’ exposure as a result of hair dyes and hair-waving treatments.

Non-smoking women aged 18 to 55 years were recruited between September 2008 and June 2009. In total, 295 hairdressers, 32 hair dye users and 60 controls were included.

There were no statistically significant differences found between the adduct concentrations of hairdressers, hair dye users and controls, according to the researchers. However, o- and m-toluidine concentrations were found to increase significantly among hairdressers as the number of hair-waving and permanent hair dyeing treatments they performed each week increased (P = .020 and P = .026, respectively). Increases in the levels of these concentrations also occurred with increased frequency of light-colored permanent hair dye treatments (P = .076 and P = .080, respectively.

Disclosure: The project was supported by grants from the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research and by FAS-centre Metalund (2008-0071).

Perspective

Nicole Rogers, MD, FAAD

There is a concerning lack of transparency in the hair care industry. Despite protective regulations by the European Union and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, manufacturers continue to use ingredients such as toluidine dyes that can have potentially carcinogenic effects on the hairdressers who are exposed to them on a daily basis. Manufacturers of the “Brazilian Blowout” hair straightening products have faced fines and litigation for using higher-than-allowed levels of formaldehyde (or its room-temperature equivalent, methylene glycol) in their products. Formaldehyde also has been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Until more data are available, hairdressers should use caution (gloves, masks, etc.) in all hair treatment processes.

Nicole Rogers, MD, FAAD

Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Disclosures: Rogers reported no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Johansson GM. Occup Environ Med. 2014. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101960.