Question: Your hair is really nice, but I see that it is dyed. Hair dye is carcinogenic so being a scientist, do you take this into consideration?

Natt Day answered on 19 Jun 2015:

Hi Lily and Mel,

Thank you! It is indeed dyed and you’re right in saying that hair dye is a potential carcinogen. Currently the International Agency for Cancer Research (a group overseen by the World Health Organisation) only classify hair-dyes as carcinogenic for barbers/hairdressers as there are scientific studies that link long-term, work-place exposure to hair-dye and increased risk of bladder cancer. This same group do not class personal hair dying as a carcinogen as there’s no conclusive evidence at the moment.

I, however, don’t really take this in to consideration. On a daily basis we are exposed to a lot of things that are considered carcinogenic (sunlight, pollution and even a large number of fruits/vegetables have acetaldehyde which is classified as carcinogenic). It’s virtually impossible to go a day without exposing yourself to a few carcinogens! So I figure that adding the odd hair dying every now and again shouldn’t be something to worry about too much.

Natt