Jakarta, ThedailyID — Claims that hair dye can increase breast cancer risk by 60 percent recently spread across social media. However, the figure needs careful interpretation.
Samuel Stemi, a lecturer at IPB University, explained the research behind the claim. He warned people against interpreting the figure as a direct risk for all hair dye users.
“The figure must be understood carefully. This is an increase in relative risk, not a statement that 60 percent of hair dye users will develop breast cancer,” Samuel said, Friday, September 11, 2026.
The study came from the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Researchers published it in the International Journal of Cancer on December 4, 2019.
The study followed 46,709 women. Researchers found a link between permanent hair dye use and breast cancer risk.
However, the 60 percent figure applies to a specific group. Researchers found it among Black women who used permanent hair dye every five to eight weeks or more often.
The overall figure looked different. Permanent hair dye use in the previous 12 months linked to an increase of about 9 percent across all participants.
The increase reached about 7 percent among white women. Among Black women, the figure reached around 45 percent.
Samuel also stressed an important point about the study. Researchers found an association, but the study did not prove that hair dye directly causes breast cancer.
Other research has produced mixed findings. One meta-analysis combined 14 studies involving more than 210,000 participants.
That analysis found an overall breast cancer risk increase of around 7 percent.
“Some studies have found an association between permanent hair dye use, particularly frequent use, and increased breast cancer risk in certain groups,” Samuel said. “However, we cannot conclude that hair dye directly causes cancer.”
Hair dye also contains different chemical ingredients. One group that has attracted attention includes aromatic amines, such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD).
Still, the presence of a chemical does not automatically mean it causes cancer in humans. Hair dye formulas have also changed over time.
Some substances with known health risks have faced restrictions or removal from products.
Samuel therefore urged people not to panic. He recommended using legal products and following the instructions on the packaging.
He also advised people not to dye their hair too frequently. In addition, people should avoid applying hair dye to wounded or irritated scalps.
“For someone who dyes their hair occasionally, there is no strong scientific basis to say they should fear developing breast cancer because of that activity,” Samuel said.
People who use permanent hair dye very often for many years should take more caution. Samuel suggested reducing the frequency and choosing products with a good safety profile.
