Becci asks...Can medication really cause hair color and permanent waves to not take well? I’m a hairdresser and have been told over the years that med can cause a problem with the hair services but I haven’t ever had this happen. I have clients come to me to have their hair colored or permed who tell me that their hair doesn’t take well because they are on some sort of meds.
The Left Brain responds:
It’s well documented that certain drugs, like those used in chemotherapy, can impact hair growth. But I can’t think of any reason why medications would affect the processes used to color and perm hair. This would require a chemical to be expressed in your hair and then also be able to survive the chemical destructive forces of Peroxide or Thioglycolate. I doubt it would have much impact.
Testing for drugs in hair
It is true, however, that some drugs can be detected in hair samples. The drugs are carried into the follicle by blood vessels and are trapped in the fibers by the keratinization process which causes hair to grow. The United States Federal Government recognizes five classes of drugs that can be identified through testing hair samples.
Which drugs are absorbed by hair?
- Cocaine (and benzoylecgonine)
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- Methamphetamine (includes amphetamine and ecstacy)
- Phencyclidine (aka PCP)
By the way, don’t think getting a hair cut will help you pass a drug test. Body hair, including underarm hair and pubic hair, can be used for drug testing. (Ok, maybe a hair cut and a good wax job will help…)
Interesting note: While I couldn’t find any reference to drugs interfering with the hair coloring or perming process, I did find one report of a woman who experienced hair color changes after being treated with Prontix for was treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. So if you have acid reflux, be on your guard!
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References
http://www.ehow.com/about_5292568_drugs-hair-follicle-drug-test.html
http://www.patientsville.com/medication/protonix_side_effects.htm
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