Skin Deep is the "personal care product safety guide" searchable database of a left-leaning outfit called the Environmental Working Group. But better than activist Web sites or news articles on cosmetics health risks are academic summaries of the scientific research, on troublesome questions such as whether hair dye products are associated with an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer.

The daily news can at least prompt one to dig deeper. The Montreal Gazette reports today that Health Canada has banned Grecian Formula 16 for the time being, asserting the lead acetate therein is a cancer and reproductive health risk.

The company has reformulated the product for the European Union, but...has no plans to change the formulation for the United States. (A spokeswoman said) "We believe our product is safe and we have research to back this up."

Well, in fact, hair dye didn't do The Gipper much harm did it? He lived to a ripe old age before succumbing to Alzheimer's.

One thorough review of the literature seems to back up the manufacturer's claim, but if examined closely, provides no clear answer. Medical scholars published a report titled "Personal Use of Hair Dyes And Risk Of Cancer: A Meta-Analysis," in the May 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association.

From the abstract:

In conclusion, we did not find strong evidence of a marked increase in the risk of cancer among personal hair dye users. Some aspects related to hematopoietic cancer should be investigated further. Efforts should be targeted toward the assessment of the risk of cancer in occupational settings where exposure to hair dyes is more prolonged and has a higher concentration and frequency than personal exposure.

OK, then: no strong evidence of a marked increase in cancer risk from hair dyes. We're left to infer there may then be moderate evidence of a noticeable risk increase. Ah well, life is fraught with risk, isn't it? Anyone who eats bacon or grilled meats often raise your hand. (Sans-sodium nitrate Nieman Ranch bacon doesn't count). All the same, I can't see why men really need to dye their hair: keeping it is the big thing. Women in their 40s and 30s find it harder to let any gray show, due to our silly society's ideal of female beauty.

Uncertain science aside, food loaded up with chemicals just makes me queasy. Same with personal grooming products. Guess that's why I'm a Lush guy.

To help resolve some of the uncertainties, for the benefit of both manufacturers and consumers, we need more testing on the health risks of commercial cosmetics, notably the chemical-infused variety. And if that testing involves animals, sorry, I'm not fazed.

TECHNORATI TAGS: HAIR DYES, CANCER

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Posted by Matt Rosenberg at November 8, 2005 12:22 PM