Chemical
induced hair color changes
There have been published reports of blonde hair turning green
after prolonged exposure to chlorine in swimming pools. Sometimes
darker hair can also develop a green tint to it. The problem is
due to high concentrations of copper dissolved in the pool water.
This can chemically interact with chlorine and the resulting chemical
compound readily binds to the hair cuticle (Goldschmidt 1979, Goette
1978). It has also been reported that high levels of copper in tap
water can also turn hair green (Goldschmidt 1979) and even copper
in cosmetics containing plant extracts can be a risk (Tosti 1991).
Iron dissolved in water can also turn blonde hair a murky brown
color (Platschek 1989). Several options for treatment have been
described for this problem, including application of hot vegetable
oil, hydrogen peroxide, edetic acid- or D-penicillamine-containing
shampoos, or hydroxyethyl diphosphonic acid (Mascaro 1995).
Of greater threat to health are the changes in hair color sometimes
seen as a result of poisoning due to thallium or boron salts. High
dose intake can be life threatening, but low dose intake produces
more mild symptoms including a change in hair color. Sometimes the
"flag" sign can be observed in mildly poisoned people.
The flag sign is where hair fibers are depigmented along a portion
of their length, but the roots and/or ends are fully pigmented.
The loss of pigment in a portion of the hair fiber indicates temporary
exposure to the poison equivalent to the length of depigmented hair
produced.
Chronic smoking has been associated with premature gray hair (Mosely
1996). Presumably the toxic substances in tobacco smoke can block
melanocyte cell pigment producing activity. Heavy smokers with white
or gray hair may develop a yellow hair color. Most likely this occurs
as a result of prolonged exposure to air laden with tar from cigarette
smoke. The tar may chemically react with, and preferentially adhere
to, the hair fiber. The only practical treatment is to avoid exposure
to the toxic chemicals.
Chemical
induced hair color changes references
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JM Jr, Ferrando J, Fontarnau R, Torras H, Dominguez A, Mascaro
JM. Green hair. Cutis. 1995 Jul;56(1):37-40.
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GM, Forslind B. Copper in green hair: a quantitative investigation
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grey hair (accg). Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2001 Sep;9(4):275-7.
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hair discoloration due to selenium sulfide. Int J Dermatol. 1997
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Hautarzt. 1997 Aug;48(8):568-71.
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and hair loss among smokers: a new opportunity for health education?
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green hair. Treatment with a penicillamine containing shampoo].
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signs of hair disease in children poisoned by thallium and boron]
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- Goette DK. Swimmer's green hair. Arch Dermatol.
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