More than one-third of women over age 18 and about 10 percent of men over age 40 use hair dye, according to a recent study published in Public Health Reports. Since some chemicals found in conventional hair dyes are thought to carry certain health risks, many consumers are now turning to natural hair color products.
Scientists have yet to determine whether personal use of hair dye poses any significant health threat. What's more, studies on the potential link between hair dye use and increased risk for diseases like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia have yielded conflicting results. Still, if you're concerned about the safety of hair dye, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests opting for henna (a natural hair-coloring agent that derives its dyeing properties from compounds called tannins).
Before using any type of hair dye, make sure to do a patch test. To perform a patch test, the FDA recommends rubbing a small amount of the dye on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear, then leaving it there for two days. If you notice a rash or any other adverse effects, don't use the product on your hair. Read the article: Natural Hair Color - What You Need to Know
