In order to have the same hair color as my idol, I almost dye my hair every month, but unexpectedly developed kidney disease. Recently, a news about a post-2000s girl who frequently dyes her hair to be diagnosed with purpura nephritis spread on Weibo, and the topic's reading volume quickly exceeded 10 million. Why is seemingly ordinary hair dyeing behavior associated with kidney disease? What are the health risks of frequent hair dyeing? How should we rationally balance chasing trends and maintaining health? With these questions in mind, the reporter interviewed multiple experts. Phenylenediamine increases the burden on the kidneys, "said Xi Dan, chief physician of the Dermatology Department at Tianjin First Central Hospital." Hair dyeing may indeed cause kidney disease. Most hair dyes contain a chemical called p-phenylenediamine, which is the main coloring agent in hair dyes and can give hair long-lasting color. When dyeing hair, these chemicals may enter the bloodstream through scalp hair follicles and skin. The kidneys are the main detoxifying organs in the human body, responsible for filtering waste and toxins from the blood. When a large amount of p-phenylenediamine and its metabolites enter the bloodstream, the kidneys need to double their operation to complete filtration and excretion work, which undoubtedly increases the burden on the kidneys. Long term or high concentration exposure to chemical substances may directly damage renal tubules and glomerular cells, leading to inflammatory reactions and subsequently affecting renal function, "explained Xi Dan. At the same time, it may also act as a hapten and bind with proteins in the body to form a complete antigen, triggering the deposition of immune complexes on the glomerular basement membrane and leading to immune inflammatory reactions - this is the main pathogenesis of purpura nephritis. In addition, some unqualified hair dyes may contain heavy metals such as lead, iron, copper, mercury, etc., which can be absorbed by the human body during hair dyeing. Among them, lead needs to be metabolized by the kidneys, and frequent use of this type of hair dye can also cause damage to the kidneys. Xi Dan specifically reminds: "Some people may have unknown mild renal insufficiency, and frequent exposure to chemicals in hair dye may accelerate the progression of kidney disease, leading to acute kidney damage or worsening of chronic kidney disease. For healthy individuals, frequent hair dyeing may also lead to the accumulation of chemicals in the body, gradually causing chronic kidney damage." "Hair dyeing and perming may also bring other health risks, such as hair loss, scalp inflammation, skin allergies, etc. ”Chen Baojiang, Chief Physician of Dermatology at Tianjin Teda Hospital, said. Some people may experience symptoms such as redness, itching, and flaking of the scalp after dyeing their hair, and even more severe allergic reactions such as swelling and blisters on the scalp and face. Any component in hair dye can trigger allergies, even natural plant-based hair dye products or products without ammonia or p-phenylenediamine can cause allergies, "Chen Baojiang gave an example." For example, the core component of natural dye Haina flower, namely its loose flower extract, is easily allergenic. For people who are already allergic, they should be more cautious when dyeing their hair. "Hair dye is a chemical solution, and frequent use may cause damage to dry hair and scalp - making hair dry, fragile, lose luster, more prone to breakage and splitting, and affecting the health of hair follicles. In addition, hair dye may also have an impact on the respiratory system. Some hair dyes contain ammonia and other volatile organic compounds, which may cause a burning sensation in the throat, slight coughing, or tearing during the hair dyeing process. When dyeing hair at home, it is important to ensure proper ventilation, "Chen Baojiang reminded. How can people who enjoy perming and dyeing their hair find a balance between beauty and health? Xi Dan suggests that as long as you master the correct methods, you can still pursue beauty while minimizing harm to your health. Firstly, control the frequency of hair dyeing. Xi Dan suggests that hair dye should not exceed 4 times a year. And don't dye and perm at the same time. Both of these can cause significant damage to hair quality and should be separated by at least two weeks to give hair a buffer period for recovery. When choosing hair dye, avoid using "three no" products. It should be noted that the so-called "pure natural" and "plant-based" hair dye products on the market are not completely harmless. These products may still contain certain chemicals, but with lower levels compared to traditional hair dyes. Consumers should maintain a rational attitude and not be misled by marketing rhetoric. At the same time, do not mix different brands of hair dye, as chemical reactions may occur between hair dyes, generating toxic substances and increasing the risk of allergies. Before dyeing hair, it is necessary to undergo an allergy test. You can first dilute the hair dye with water and apply it to the inside of the elbow or behind the ear. Observe for any allergic reactions within 48 hours. If symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, etc. appear, do not use the hair dye. When applying hair dye, be careful to avoid the scalp as much as possible and avoid direct contact between the solution and the scalp. For people with sensitive head skin, a thin layer of refreshing lotion or vaseline can be applied along the hairline or on the scalp before hair dyeing, so as to avoid direct contact of hair dye with the scalp. When washing after dyeing hair, it is also necessary to massage the scalp more to avoid residual preparations. You can also use some hair care products with repairing effects to help restore damaged hair. Chen Baojiang reminds women with a history of allergies, scalp damage, old age and weakness, liver and kidney dysfunction, pregnancy or lactation not to dye their hair. If there is a special need, it is recommended to consult a doctor before dyeing hair to assess whether one's own health condition is suitable for dyeing hair. You can also use some hair care products with repairing effects to help restore damaged hair. Beauty is important, but health should always come first. ”Two experts emphasized. For those who enjoy frequent changes in hair color, it may be worth considering using disposable temporary hair dye products or wigs, which can satisfy their desire for versatility and minimize health risks. (New Society)