Warning about Hair Color

Hair color may be implicated in the development of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Researchers conclude: "Data from a population-based case-control study of incident leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among adult men in Iowa and Minnesota were used to evaluate risk associated with hair dye use. The relative risk for ever using hair dyes was 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-2.7) among leukemia patients, and 2.0 (CI = 1.3-3.0) among cases with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There was a suggestion of increased risk with extent of hair dye use. Given the widespread use of hair coloring products, these observations deserve more detailed evaluation in populations where the exposure is relatively common."¹ It may be relevant to point out that Jackie Kennedy, who used black hair dye for many years, died of lymphoma.

1. K P Cantor, A Blair, G Everett, S VanLier, L Burmeister, F R Dick, R W Gibson and L Schuman. Hair dye use and risk of leukemia and lymphoma. 1988. American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 78, Issue 5, 570-571.