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(KSL News) -- Worrisome news today for women who dye their hair. New research says 10 percent of lymphoma cases in women may be caused by hair dye.
A new study out of Europe says that people who color their hair face a 19 percent increased risk of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
For those who color at least 12 times a year, it says that heightened risk jumps to 26 percent. And for those who started coloring before 1980, 37 percent.
Hair dye is not subject to FDA approval. But in 1980, the federal government did ban certain chemicals.
Scientists do know the rate of lymphoma has doubled since the 1970s and they don't know why. They say, though, that other cancer risks like obesity or smoking are far greater than touching up the roots, becoming a red head.
Susan Fisher, University of Rochester: "I don't think, at this time, that it necessitates everyone changing, going back to their natural color."
The American Cancer Society say we don't need to be all that worried about the consequences of dying our hair. The risk is very low. Scientists do recommend you limit the dye's contact with skin.
