claim:
A viral Instagram post claims that research suggests that permanent hair dyes may increase the risk of breast cancer by up to 60%, especially among frequent users. She adds that while studies show an association rather than evidence of causation, people who dye their hair regularly might consider reducing exposure to chemicals by using gentler products, spacing out treatments and following safe application practices.
fact:
Current evidence suggests that use of permanent hair dye may be associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in certain groups, especially frequent users and certain racial or genetic populations. However, there is no conclusive evidence that hair dyes directly cause breast cancer, and most available studies are observational studies, showing association rather than causation. Experts say there is no recommendation for the general public to stop using hair dyes. They advise that although sensible precautions such as wearing gloves, ensuring good ventilation and choosing gentle formulations may help reduce exposure to chemicals, these measures rely on general chemical safety principles rather than conclusive evidence that they prevent breast cancer.
Sometimes the urge to dye your hair comes suddenly—a new shade of copper, burgundy, blue, or purple can feel like a new mood, a change in style, or a confidence boost. While many people know that hair dye can affect hair texture, some may wonder if it can also affect long-term health.
In a Latest post on Instagram by Elizaveta Storozhukwho has 1.68k followers, notes the post, “Research suggests that hair dyes may increase the risk of breast cancer by up to 60%.”
The post’s caption adds: “Can hair dye increase the risk of breast cancer – or is this just a misunderstanding of the research?” He points to large epidemiological studies, including a National Institutes of Health study, and reports that women who regularly used permanent hair dye had a slightly higher rate of breast cancer than those who did not dye their hair. The commentary also notes that some hair dyes contain aromatic amines and other chemical compounds that can be absorbed by the skin, emphasizing that these studies show an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship.
The publication also says that the absolute increase in risk remains relatively small and may depend on frequency of use, type of hair dye and individual biological factors. She adds that occasional use of hair dyes is generally considered to carry minimal risk, while casual users may choose to reduce exposure to chemicals by spacing out treatments, choosing gentle formulas, using gloves, and ventilating during use.
With some users commenting, “My mom is 70, has been dying her hair since she was a teen and has regular mammograms, and she’s fine.” Others wrote: “This is why I use henna to dye my hair red.” “Unfortunately that’s true. It gets into your bloodstream. Try to do anything natural!”
Do hair dyes increase the chances of breast cancer?
Available evidence suggests that use of permanent hair dye may be associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in some groups, especially among frequent users and certain racial or genetic populations. However, results are not consistent across studies, and there is no conclusive evidence that hair dyes directly cause breast cancer. Researchers continue to stress the need for more long-term, high-quality studies to better understand any potential risks.
A 2018 Meta-Analysis It reviewed eight case-control studies published between 1980 and 2017 that compared breast cancer risk between hair dye users and non-users. After adjusting for publication bias, the researchers reported that the “adjusted risk ratio for women who used hair dyes was 1.1885.” They noted that this represents “an 18.8% increase in the risk of future breast cancer among hair dye users.” However, the authors also cautioned that “further work is needed to confirm our findings and elucidate potential mechanisms,” concluding that “our findings suggest that exposure to hair dyes may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.”
Other evidence came from 2020 NIH Sister Studya large prospective cohort study of 46,709 women aged 35 to 74 years who had a sister with breast cancer but were cancer-free at enrollment. During an average follow-up of 8.3 years, researchers identified 2,794 breast cancer cases. The study found that the use of permanent hair dye was associated with a 45% higher risk of breast cancer among black women and a 7% higher risk among white women. The researchers also noted that “higher risks [was] “Associated with increased frequency” of use of hair straighteners. Overall, they concluded, “We observed a higher risk of breast cancer associated with any use of hair straighteners and personal use of permanent dye, especially among black women,” adding that “these findings suggest that chemicals in hair products may play a role in breast carcinogenesis.” However, as an observational study, it could not prove that hair dyes directly cause breast cancer.
On the other hand, the results reached by A 2020 BMJ study They were more reassured. Researchers followed 1,172,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study for 36 years to examine the relationship between the use of permanent hair dyes and cancer risk. The study found that “users of permanent hair dyes did not have any significant increases in the risk of developing solid cancers…or hematopoietic cancers in general compared with non-users.” Likewise, researchers reported no increased risk for most specific cancers, including estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer, and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, they noted that “cumulative dose was positively associated with the risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.” “No positive association was found between personal use of permanent hair dye and the risk of most cancers and cancer-related deaths,” the researchers concluded, noting that findings regarding some subtypes of breast and ovarian cancer “warrant further investigation.”
Recently, A 2026 Systematic review It examined 96 studies published between 1964 and March 2025 on the use of hair dyes and cancer risk. The review found that although the evidence is inconsistent, some studies have suggested possible associations between the use of hair dyes and cancer risk, especially among long-term frequent users and certain population groups. The authors reported an “increased risk of estrogen receptor+ breast cancer among African American women” and noted that individuals with slow acetyltransferase 2 or CYP1A2 genotypes have an elevated risk of cancer with dye use. The review also found that maternal use during the first three months of pregnancy significantly increases the risk of offspring developing acute lymphocytic leukemia, with the risk increasing further if use of the dye continues during breastfeeding. However, the authors acknowledged important limitations, including differences in study design, study populations and potential confounding factors, and concluded that “there is evidence suggesting a possible increased cancer risk due to frequent and long-term use of hair dye in certain population groups.”
What the experts say
Commenting on the claim, Dr Poovamma CU, Lead & HOD – Department of Breast Oncology and Plastic Oncology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said the viral post overstates what current evidence shows. According to her, while some studies have suggested a higher risk of breast cancer among women who frequently use permanent hair dyes, the widely cited “60% increase” comes from analyzes of specific subgroups and should not be interpreted as applying to everyone who dyes their hair.
“Large observational studies, including a sister study in the United States, have found a modest association between frequent use of permanent dyes and breast cancer risk, especially among certain populations,” she said. However, she added that many other studies have shown weak, inconsistent or no associations, and that “even when a relative increase is reported, the overall absolute risk remains small.”
Dr. Povama emphasized that correlation does not mean causation. She explained that most of the available evidence comes from observational studies, which can identify associations but cannot prove that hair dyes directly cause breast cancer. “There are many factors that can influence breast cancer risk, including genetics, age, hormonal history, lifestyle, obesity, smoking and environmental exposure, making it difficult to isolate the role of hair dye alone,” she said. She also noted that hair dye formulations have changed dramatically over time, with many harmful chemicals removed from modern products.
Addressing the claim regarding chemicals found in hair dyes, Dr. Povama said some permanent hair dyes contain aromatic amines and other compounds that have shown carcinogenic potential in laboratory or occupational exposure studies. However, she explained that commercially available hair dyes are now subject to regulatory oversight, and it remains unclear whether small amounts absorbed through the scalp during normal use are enough to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in humans. “While some observational studies suggest a possible link between long-term use of permanent hair dyes and breast cancer, there is no clear evidence to prove that the chemicals in currently approved commercial hair dyes directly cause breast cancer,” she said.
In terms of practical advice, Dr. Povama said there is no recommendation for the general population to stop using hair dyes. However, people who color their hair frequently may choose to use products with fewer harsh chemicals or ammonia-free formulas, increase the interval between coloring sessions, wear gloves during use and ensure good ventilation. She explained that these measures are based on general principles of chemical safety and not conclusive evidence that they prevent breast cancer, adding that current scientific evidence linking the use of hair dyes to breast cancer is still inconclusive.
This story was done in collaboration with First verificationthe health journalism sector of DataLEADS
