Your Weekly "Simple Health Secrets" by Asia Moore For Wednesday, August 13, 2003 Compliments of SolvingTheHealthPuzzle.com

Did you know that a lifetime use of permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes, particularly dark and black colors, is clearly a cancer risk?

The use of permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes is associated with significantly increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (growth of new tissue in the lymphatic system), multiple myeloma (infiltration of bone and marrow by myeloma cells that form tumor masses, which are usually progressive and generally fatal), leukemia (chronic disease characterized by unrestrained growth of white blood corpusules, and Hodgkin's disease (enlargement of lymphoid tissue, spleen and liver with invasion of other tissues). The evidence is also suggestive of an association with breast cancer.

The use of black, brown/brunette and red hair dyes have higher risks than use of lighter shades.

DO NOT USE hair dyes that contain phenylenediamine as this can be extremely irritating, can cause blindness if applied to the eyes and is considered to be able to induce human cancer.

DO NOT USE temporary hair dyes or rinses containing chemicals such as Acid Orange 87, Solvent Brown 44, Acid Blue 168, or Acid Violet 73 as they have also shown evidence of being carcinogenic.

The good news is that there are increasingly larger numbers of natural coloring products being manufactured that offer a safe alternative to the more common and dangerous petrochemical products.

One line of plant based colors, which are comprised exclusively of raw materials found in nature, such as indigo, chamomile, walnut, logwood, cochineal and guar gum and which are becoming popular in some of the finest New York Salons is Igora Botanic from Schwarzkopf.

If your salon does not offer such an alternative, find one that does, or at least find one that is agreeable to using a natural, botanical hair coloring that you provide.

Hair color that uses pure henna, chamomile and other herbs are safe from chronic effects and botanical products are more sophisticated and easier to use than they once were. Natural botanical hair coloring products also add great sheen and luster.

There are products in the marketplace now that offer a much wider range of colors than ever before and some that will also totally cover gray (such as "Herbatint", a herbal hair color gel made in Italy).

There are increasingly more healthy alternative hair coloring products to choose from, but you need to know which ones to choose. If you color your hair it is important to use a products that is not increasing your risk of cancer and skin irritation.

Some Safe Hair Color Alternatives

• Herbatint Herbal Hair Color Gel (30 shades)
• Igora Botanic
• Logona Henna Black
• Logona Henna Natural Red
• Logona Flame Red, Mahogany, Sahara, Walnut Brown
• Rainbow Research Henna

Where To Find Save Hair Color Alternatives

First look in the "organic" section of your local grocery store. Many stores are now beginning to carry an ever-increasing section of healthy alternatives, including hair-coloring products.

The more you buy these products, the more their presence in your local stores will increase. Next, check your local health food store.

Generally these safer products will be a bit more expensive here than in your local grocery store, but well worth the price as they will make your life less toxic.

I hope you have enjoyed this simple health "secret", compliments of SolvingTheHealthPuzzle.com where you will learn simple "secrets" for a healthier life.

For other recommended reading, please visit our website for the latest health related information!

Thanks for visiting and remember that being healthy is really a simple matter once you know the "Simple Health Secrets".

Sincerely,

Asia Moore,
Publisher 

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