Hair Color - Highlighting: Is it safer than all-over color?

Highlighting: Is it safer than all-over color?

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Color
Forum Description: The tricks and tribulations of changing your hair color
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=62810
Printed Date: October 02 2025 at 4:28am

Topic: Highlighting: Is it safer than all-over color?

Posted By: stromssa
Subject: Highlighting: Is it safer than all-over color?
Date Posted: October 18 2008 at 10:41am

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on this forum. I have a question about the safety of highlighting verus all-over permanent hair color.

I have been having my hair highlighted at the salon for about 12 years now. I am a natural blonde, but my hair has darkened with age and is now dishwater blonde, or dark golden blonde. I have a fair, cool-toned complexion and gray eyes, and am of Norwegian and European ancestry.

Anyway, lately I have read some concerning reports about the potential links between cancer and hair dye use, specifically permanent hair dye use, over long periods of time. I know these studies are still inconclusive, but I am a worrier by nature so I want to err on the side of being cautious. I have looked into some more natural hair colors, but before I try anything at home, I'm wondering if highlighting my hair (usually through a cap) at the salon, as I have done for years, is any safer than an all-over dye (that would touch the roots). Would any hair dye be absorbed through the scalp if I continue to get my hair highlighted with a cap? None of the studies I have looked at mentions highlighting hair as a risk factor- just the use of permanent hair dye (presumably to provide all-over hair color to the roots).

Just wonder if anyone has any insight into this.

Sara

Replies:

Posted By: Sophia1
Date Posted: October 18 2008 at 3:26pm

Hi....I have read similar reports also. Personally, I do not worry too much about the toxicity of all-over hair color. I have never read anything conclusive, though I know some pregnant women still avoid it. If there's any harm, I thinks it's so mild, there are worse things to worry about. Seriously, air pollution is probably damaging your lungs more than permanent hair dye can ever harm you.

Having said that, if you are concerned I would stick with highlighting. At least in that case you are not allowing the color chemicals to penetrate your roots and scalp.

Posted By: karen s
Date Posted: October 18 2008 at 5:19pm

I agree with Sophia1, you hear so many horror stories through the media, about which foods to eat and what not to eat, then you hear a different story from another study, we could go on and on.

If you are worried about this, I would stick with your hi lights via a cap as the bleach/colour does not penetrate the scalp, this is the same advise I give to pregnant woman, who come to our salon to have hair colour treatments, if they have concerns.

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karen sanderson