Chinese woman develops kidney disease after monthly hair dyeing inspired by her favourite pop star

The Chinese woman was identified as 20-year-old Hua.

Hua recently developed symptoms, including red spots on her legs, joint pain, and stomachache, as reported by The South China Morning Post.

According to media reports, she was diagnosed with inflammation of the kidneys.

Her doctor, Tao Chenyang, at the Zhengzhou People’s Hospital, told South China Morning Post the woman went to the hair salon to have her hair dyed whenever her favourite celebrity changed theirs.

Tao said Hua had her hair dyed about once a month.

The star’s name was not revealed, but on mainland social media, discussion raged about K-pop idols frequently changing the colour of their hair and worries about their health, the newspaper reported.

As per the American Cancer Society website, many people use hair dyes, which can contain different types of chemicals.

Studies have looked at hair dyes as a possible risk factor for various types of cancer, the website said.

How are people exposed to hair dyes?

When people dye their hair or have it dyed, some chemicals in the hair dyes can be absorbed in small amounts through the skin or inhaled from fumes in the air.

People who work around hair dyes regularly as part of their jobs, such as hairdressers, stylists, and barbers, are likely to be exposed more than people who just dye their hair on occasion. Many of the concerns about hair dyes possibly causing cancer have focused on people who work with them.

Do hair dyes cause cancer?

Researchers have been studying a possible link between hair dye use and cancer for many years. Studies have looked most closely at the risks of blood cancers (leukemias and lymphomas), bladder cancer, and breast cancer.