Association of hairdressing with cancer and reproductive diseases: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives To review recent epidemiological studies investigating carcinogenic or reprotoxic effects among hairdressers who seem to be at greater risk for systemic adverse effects of chemicals released from hair care products than consumers. Methods A systematic review according to the PRISMA‐P guidelines was performed and included studies published from 2000 to August 2021, in which cancer or adverse reproductive effects were diagnosed in 1995 and onward. Data were synthetized qualitatively due to the small number of studies, heterogeneity of study designs, outcomes, and methods. Results Four studies investigating cancer frequencies and six studies investigating effects on reproduction among hairdressers were identified. All were of good quality and with low risk of bias. Only one of the four studies found an increased risk of cancer reporting nine times higher odds for bladder cancer in hairdressers than the population‐based controls. Three other studies investigating bladder and lung cancer, and non‐Hodgins lymphoma did not find an increased risk in hairdressers. Regarding reprotoxic effects, numerous outcomes were investigated including menstrual disorders, congenital malformations, fetal loss, small‐for‐gestational age newborns, preterm delivery, and infertility. Increased risk was found for ventricular septal defect in newborns of fathers working as hairdressers. Furthermore, several indices of poor neonatal or maternal health were significantly associated with mothers working as hairdresser. Conclusions Despite the scarce evidence that hairdressers are at increased risk of carcinogenic or reprotoxic effects related to their trade, such health risks cannot be ruled out. Therefore, preventive efforts to diminish occupational exposures to hairdressing chemicals should be targeted.

Contact allergy to ingredients of hair cosmetics in female hairdressers and female consumers—An update based on IVDK data 2013–2020

“…This can lead to sick-leave or, in severe cases, even loss of the job. The burden of morbidity in hairdressers in general as well as related to important cosmetic ingredients has recently been addressed by a series of systematic reviews and one scoping review, including respiratory and systemic exposure and corresponding toxicological endpoints, [2][3][4] and contact allergy to important ingredients of hair cosmetics. [5][6][7] By contrast, hairdressers' clients as well as self-users of hair cosmetics (summarised as 'consumers') are less prone to irritant contact dermatitis-as skin contact with the products is much less frequent compared to hairdressers 8 -but may acquire contact allergy to an ingredient and thus develop allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to the product(s) containing this ingredient.…”