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Dying to Dye?

Women's health issues image.

Some women get very touchy at their first sighting of a white or grey hair and make an immediate appointment at their local hair salon. Others prefer to let nature take its course and take it all in the stride of aging gracefully, hair, wrinkles, age spots and all. Some just blame it on their kids and move on!

What makes hair turn grey?

Melanin, which is responsible for the color of our hair, is secreted in each individual hair follicle (the part of the hair below the scalp). When the pigment cells at the base of each hair follicle stop producing melanin, the individual hair turns white. That is why this process occurs strand by strand, instead of all at once.

The decision to dye your hair, or not to dye your hair, may be influenced by studies that show that hair dyes have been linked to specific types of cancer. Medical research has determined that hair dyes do not pose any significant risk for bladder or breast cancer, but may be associated with leukemia, multiple myloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma!

An article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology on May 26, 2006 reported that the most recent research, conducted in Barcelona, Spain, included information gathered from six European countries. The risk of contracting non–Hodgkin's lymphoma increased to 19% in those who dyed their hair occasionally; with those who dyed their hair on a more regular basis (once a month), the risk increased to 26%.

Alternatives to traditional hair dye for those who want to get rid of the grey? Natural color rinses, often made from herbs, can be used to color your hair. They don’t contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives or harsh chemicals, such as ammonia, and are made from pure vegetable oil. These products can condition your hair and give it color and shine.

Or better yet, go natural. Hair color, along with our height, shoe size and eye color are gifts we inherited from our parents. Rather than change your hair color, consider changing the way you think about your hair color. Even the scriptures observe that, “Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

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Dr. Lori Asks some important questions of interest to Santa Barbara residents - Chiropractor Santa Barbara Dr. Lori Asks...

What's the difference between sick care and health care?
Sick care is largely about relieving or suppressing symptoms. Health care is about improving performance. While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well-being.
What's the difference between a "good" drug and a "bad" drug?
As a chiropractor, I see the use of many drugs (legal or illegal) as merely symptom treating. Worse, virtually every drug produces unwanted effects. The effects of chiropractic are largely positive effects. If you're a Santa Barbara parent, consider carefully before giving your child a cough medication, cold remedy or pain reliever so this sort of question doesn't arise in the first place.