Why natural hair is the way to go

Hair dye and chemical relaxers can elevate the risk of developing breast cancer, study suggests

Common salon hair treatments can drastically increase the risk of breast cancer, a study suggests.

Researchers at Rutgers University found there was an alarming increase in risk of developing the disease when certain women used dark hair dye and chemical relaxers.

The study was conducted by researchers at the Rutgers School of Public Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Experts asked more than 4,000 women their habits of dying, relaxing or using deep conditioning creams. Researchers then examined the study participants' medical history to see if these products elevated the risk of breast cancer. They also had a 72 percent increased risk of developing estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, which is the most common type of the disease.



The researchers speculated this increase may have something to do with DNA damage or the body absorbing the chemicals used to change the hair. Professor and study lead author Adana Llanos clarified though: “Just because we found these associations doesn't mean that if you dye your hair dark, or any colour, you're going to get breast cancer. But at the same time, the study points to something else we should be mindful of.”

A Finnish study found being exposed to carcinogenics in the dyes was linked to a 23% chance of getting the disease. Users of birth control methods such as the combined Pill and IUS coils could also face the same plight. Post-menopausal women fitted with the latter have a 52% greater chance of developing breast cancer. And there is a 32% increased risk for those who use the former hormonal-based contraceptive, the researchers claimed.

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