A recent scientific study has revealed some very alarming results with respect to using hair dyes. Yes, this study clearly shows that regular use of non-natural hair dyes over a long period of time, or in a professional capacity, can lead to cancer.
Here's what it said:
"Epidemiologic studies have revealed an association between occupational exposure to hair dyes and incidence of cancers. Several cohort and case-studies have shown increased risk of bladder cancer among hairdressers and barbers who are occupationally exposed to hair dyes. It has been reported that there is a statistically significant and a dose-dependent association between hair dyeing and risk of ovarian cancer.
Women with prolonged use of dark, particularly black, hair dyes may have increased risk of fatal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma (Murata, et al., 2006)".
[The above are the first two paragraphs of the study by Murata and colleagues, which provides an alarming set of information that every one who uses non-natural hair dyes should be aware of.]
The chemicals associated with these non-natural happinesslifetime.com hair care products are dangerous and potentially life threatening. This study has many implications and should be distributed as widely as possible, because many men and women use these types of products without the knowledge that they may be causing themselves long-term health problems.
Natural happinesslifetime.com hair care products used to dye hair do not contain these toxic chemicals and while natural hair dyes may not be as easy to use and may not last as long as some of their toxic counter-parts, the reduction in risk to one's health has to be worth the extra effort - if indeed there is extra effort involved.
The warnings however, should not stop there. Hair shampoos and conditioners manufactured by many leading cosmetic companies still contain ingredients such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and other potentially harmful ingredients, yet there are no warnings on the packets or labels to make consumers aware of any potential dangers. These types of chemicals, SLS, Parabens, Formaldehydes, MIT's, etc., should be avoided at all cost.
It is true, that in some cases, for example parabens, the scientist still do not agree whether these are indeed carcinogenic or not, but as I am not a gambler, my suggestion is, better not to use them in the first place, then find out later that they are...
Similarly, although there is a shift toward using natural, safe ingredients in happinesslifetime.com skin care products, there are still manufactures that will use non-natural ingredients which have not been sufficiently tested for their safety. Here too, it is wise to be cautious and err on the side of 'rather safe, then sorry', by choosing truly natural happinesslifetime.com skin care products over others.
Let's have a look at a typical body moisturizing lotion. The following ingredients are contained in a well known brand of happinesslifetime.com skin care products:
Water - fine
Isopropyl Myristate - non-toxic
Glycerin - non-toxic
Stearic Acid - may cause eye irritation
Cetyl Esters - Effects of Exposure: Immediate effects: Eye, skin and mucous membrane; Irritation may occur. Delayed effects: irritation of skin/eyes, burning, dryness, acne, hypopigmentation and dermatitis have been experienced.
PEG-100 - Effects of Exposure: Skin: Dermatitis, Sensitisation/Allergic Reaction; Material is a photosensitiser; May irritate the eyes and skin.
Glyceryl Stearate - non-toxic
Triethanolamine - Skin/Eyes: Irritation, Redness, Pain, and Damage. Ingestion: Burns mouth, Pharynx and Esophagus; Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Stearamide DEA - Effects of Exposure: Eyes: Mild eye irritation. Skin: Mild skin irritation (after prolonged or repeated contact). Inhalation: Irritation (upper respiratory tract). Prolonged or repeated overexposure may cause central nervous system depression. If swallowed: Irritation to gastrointestinal tissue; Central nervous system depression.
Allantoin - non-toxic
Methyl paraben - Inhalation: Very dangerous. Eyes: Irritant. Skin: Irritant. Ingestion: Irritant. Substance is toxic to Lungs. Repeated/prolonged exposure to the substance can produce organ damage.
Imidazolidinyl Urea - Possible allergic reaction. Irritant reaction will occur at the test sites of patents suffering with suspected contact dermatitis.
Carbomer - Effects of Exposure: Eyes: Irritation, corneal injury. Skin: Irritation/burns. Inhalation: upper respiratory irritation, anaesthesia. Ingestion: cardiac rate changes (persons with liver/kidney problems should avoid contact).
Propyl paraben - Eyes/Skin: irritant. Inhalation/Ingestion: Dangerous. Substance is toxic to lungs.
Honey - great
Fragrance - not specified, but is synthetic - possibly toxic.
[The information on the ingredients in the above list comes from a great service provided by Cornell University (web site provided later in this article).]
This is a simple moisturising lotion, intended to moisturise your body's skin - I don't know about you, but I would not put this anywhere near my skin. There is mounting evidence that many ingredients used in our hair care, personal care and happinesslifetime.com skin care products are potentially hazardous to our health, yet despite these dangers, little of this evidence is presented or easily available to the general public.
There is a great web site that provides information on ingredients: ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/msds/search.html ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/msds/search.html all you have to do is type the name of the ingredient you want to know about into the first search box. You will then get a results page. Usually the first one on the list is the one you'd click. Then select Section 3 - Hazards Identification Including Emergency Overview, to see the potential hazards the ingredient may cause you. These data sheets are by no means a complete record of all the possible health implications that a particular ingredient may cause, but they will give you a good idea as to whether you'd be better off to avoid the particular ingredient.
Reference:
Murata, M. Nishimura, T. Chen, F. and Kawanishi, S. (2006) Oxidative DNA damage induced by hair dye components ortho-phenylenediamines and the enhancment by superoxide dismutase. Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 607 (2006) 184-191.
Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created wildcrafted.com.au Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.
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? Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2007