Dying your hair this colour could increase your chances of getting cancer

We all love to pamper ourselves at the hair salon.

Whether we're trying to cover our grays or experience a new shade, you always walk out feeling a million bucks.

But now a rather worryingly new study has revealed many common hair treatments - including hair dye - could increase the risk of breast cancer.

Researchers at Rutgers University found there was a significant increase of developing the disease when women used dark hair dye and chemical relaxers.

The study looked at more than 4000 women, aged between 20 and 75.

The concerning results found that white women who used chemical straighteners had a 74 per cent increased risk of breast cancer, while black women who used dark hair dye had a 51 per cent increased risk.

“These novel findings support a relationship between the use of some hair products and breast cancer,” the study concludes. “Further examinations of hair products as important exposures contributing to breast cancer carcinogenesis are necessary.”

It is not yet understood why dark hair dyes in particular pose a risk.

Lead author Adana Llanos said: "More research is needed to determine specifically which compounds and chemicals are dangerous and even which specific consumer products and brands contain those chemicals.

"Just because we found these associations doesn't mean that if you dye your hair dark, or any colour, you're going to get breast cancer.

"But at the same time, the study points to something else we should be mindful of."