Lead Poisoning in Hair Dye

I saw an advertisment through the Life Extension company for a haircolor product that is not a dye. They say the product replaces themelanin in the hair shaft. They sent me a list of ingredients and thedirections, which includes applying the product daily for 3 weeks to dryhair, and then 2-3 times a week thereafter to keep the color. One ofthe ingredients listed is pb acetate, which is a lead ingredient. Doyou know about this, or using any other similar product like "Just forMen" on my hair? I have had permanent highlights added to my long,chestnut/brown hair, and have some grey. Will such a product work ontreated hair, or could it be dangerous because of the lead ingredient?Thank you to anyone who knows about this. Attached is a copy of the ingredient list they sent me:"The active ingredients in PG-168 are: (Glycerine, Lanolin, Sulfur,Cheteareth 20, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Vitamin E, pb Acetate, DIwater, and Allantoin)The formula works only as a result of the exact balance of ALL theseingredients. They do not ‘create hair color’ they simply fill a hollowhair shaft with a pigment like substitute.Additional information on this may be found on the web athttp://www.lifex.com/appear.htmlPG-168 is hypoallergenic. In Double blind tests there has yet to beuncovered any ill side effects or allergic reactions. It will not harmhair. It is used as a conditioner to make hair thicker. It does noteffect the color of your hair, if indeed your hair does have color. Ifyour hair is dyed or if it still has its natural color, applying PG-168will not change this color. However, on hair that has no color (itappears gray or while but in fact is an empty shaft without melanin) itwill slowly replace the melanin until your natural color is restored."

This is an interesting topic. I do think hair dyes are dangerous, especially after what Laura Jane said about lead being absorbed into the skin. Since hair dye is applied on the hair and its proximity to the scalp, I have been warned such chemicals could possibly be linked to cancer later on. With such widespread use of hair colour, i wonder if anyone has comments on this. I have been colouring my hair for years now, and the hair appears damaged. I am certainly putting off colour for the good of my hair and health!

(I'm sorry I clicked the "post" button before responding...)Thank you Christine, and Laura Jane for the responses. They were really helpful.I emailed the company again with a similar question and their response follows. However, I will be taking Laura Jane's advise. Thank you again so much!"You are wise to be concerned about the amount of heavy metals your bodyabsorbs.Although PG-168 is not at all the same formula as Just For Men or othersuch products, it does contain ‘some’ of the same active ingredients,including pb Acetate.Some of the things that make PG-168 very different from the products yourefer to, are:1: Unlike the others, PG-168 has no health risk. The “EXACT” amount ofpb Acetate in each 350 gallons is .07%.In other words, the other ingredients (Glycerine, DI water, Lanolin,Sulfur, Cheteareth 20, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Vitamin E,Allantoin and the fragrance) make up 99.93% of the product.2: This amount of pb Acetate is far, far less than in ‘hair coloring’products. It is actually considerably less even, than the amount of pbAcetate found in a glass of city water.The answer to the unasked question: why have it at all? is that theformula works only as a result of the exact balance of ALL theseingredients.I hope I have answered your questions.Norene Reagan, Ph.D.Life ExtensionProduct Information Service"

Oops!I should mention that by my calculation, those 31 ounces are 31 fluid ounces.But it's not clear whether the percentage given in the report was by volumeor weight. If by weight, the volume would be less as lead is considerablydenser than water.Regardless, whether 0.07% by weight or volume, it's still an extremely highamount of lead.Dave