Jan 5, 2007 5:56 pm US/Central
Does Hair Dye Pose A Cancer Risk For Kids?
More Children Getting Hair Highlighted At Younger Age
by Mary Ann Childers
(CBS)
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Seeing young celebrities with dyed hair may be making hair coloring appeal to younger people. Whatever it is, more and more children, some as young as 6 years old, are having their hair streaked and colored.
CBS
Changing your hair color is an easy way to have a mini-makeover, and a lot of people do it. But CBS 2 Medical Editor Mary Ann Childers reports as children get in on the trend, there are concerns about the effects of over-exposure to hair dye.
"You look at, like, Hilary Duff and Jessica Simpson, and that's what the seventh graders and the either graders look up to," said Hayden Fowler, who highlights her hair.
Seeing young celebrities with dyed hair may be making hair coloring appeal to younger people. Whatever it is, more and more children, some as young as 6 years old, are having their hair streaked and colored.
"It just gives them a different look. It's just something fashionable. I would say that that's the way the world is now," said salon owner Karla Vandenberg.
Vandenberg says she lightens and darkens the locks of at least 10 children every week.
"It looks so pretty and I want to just keep on doing it," said 8-year-old Emily Oates of her highlighted hair.
"…My hair turns brown sometimes, and I want to go back to my original color, which is blonde," said Dakota Hancock, 11, who has her hair dyed.
But is it all just about fashion and fun?
Not to one Yale University researcher. He says several studies have linked hair dye to cancer. His most recent research examined the possible link to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"We found people used dark permanent hair dye more than 20 years, they have doubled their risk," said Dr. Ton Zheng, B.Med, SC.D., SC.M.
But the FDA says other research shows no cancer link and calls the evidence "inconclusive."
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association says, "The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence… supports the conclusion that hair dye use does not pose any increased health risk."
Others argue that aside from medical concerns, there is a social issue.
"Parents have a problem saying "no" to peer pressure, and they have a problem saying "no" to their children," said Susan Newman, Ph.D., author of "The Book of No."
Newman maintains that an appropriate time for a child to get hair highlights, "...is when your child can pay for it."
Dr. Zhen is currently conducting a much larger study on hair coloring products and cancer along with the National Cancer Institute.
While the FDA considers these products generally safe for their intended use, the agency recommends that all consumers -- especially children -- minimize their exposure to hair coloring products.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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