Long-Term Frequent Hair Dye Use May Be Linked to Increased Cancer Risk: Study

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2025-12-30T21:30:57+05:30 | Updated On 29 Dec 2025 9:18 PM IST

Evidence suggests that frequent and long-term use of hair dyes may be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers in specific populations, highlighting the need for cautious use and further research.

The global hair color market is valued over 23 billion dollars with over 2 billion in sales in the United States. Asia dominated the market accounting for over 35% of global revenue in 2021. Hair dyes are classified by permanence: temporary, semipermanent, and permanent hair dye (PHD). PHDs account for approximately 80% of hair dye products on the market and contain coupler m-aminophenols that oxidizes and penetrates the hair cortex. Whereas, temporary and semipermanent do not oxidize therefore weakly adhere to the hair shaft. As a result, more consumers use PHD because it provides a more natural hair color than the other hair dyes. A systematic search of PubMed and MEDLINE from January 1964 to March 2025 was conducted. Articles were reviewed independently by 3 assessors.

Results: The review included 96 articles including 2 on both adults and children, and 5 on maternal exposure and pediatric cancer risk. Some studies suggested potential associations between hair dye use and cancer risk. Trends include increased risk of estrogen receptor + breast cancer among African American women and elevated bladder cancer in both genders. risk in frequent users. Individuals with slow acetylator N-acetyltransferase 2 genotypes or CYP1A2 had elevated cancer risk with dye use. Maternal use during the first trimester significantly increased offspring risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia further elevated by continued use during lactation. Limitations included elements of study design, study populations, and confounders.

There is evidence to suggest possible increased cancer risks for frequent, long-term hair dye use in specific populations.

Reference:

Greene RK, Maghfour J, Nguyen C, Baker G, Mesinkovska NA. Association between hair dye use and human cancers: A systematic review. JAAD Int. 2025 Oct 25;24:205-233. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2025.10.009. PMID: 41399670; PMCID: PMC12702374.

Keywords:

Greene RK, Maghfour J, Nguyen C, Baker G, Mesinkovska NA, Association, between, hair, dye use, human cancers, bladder cancer, breast cancer, cancer, hair dyes, leukemia, neoplasm, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, paraphenylenediamine (PPD)

Greene RKMaghfour JNguyen CBaker GMesinkovska NAAssociationbetweenhairdye usehuman cancersbladder cancerbreast cancercancerhair dyesleukemianeoplasmnon-Hodgkin’s lymphomaparaphenylenediamine (PPD)

Source : JAAD International

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.