Pregnancy Question

I researched this when I was pregnant and chose to highlight my hair. Supposedly highlighting is safe, since it does not really touch your scalp, but full hair color is linked to problems. Isvara Organics salon in Capitola, CA uses totally natural hair dye. I started going there recently since I am nursing and I am so happy with the results. I was not easily convinced that a "natural" dye would perform as well, but it does. It is amazing to walk into a salon that smells good and does not have that "chemical smell". I highly recommend checking them out. I don't know where you live, but it is worth the drive!

1 mom found this helpful

My Ob/Gyn told me that highlights were okay because they do not touch the scalp, but that if I wanted to be conservative I should stay away from all over hair colors that do touch the scalp. Mind you the fumes from either cannot be good, though at least highlighting chemicals are trapped in foil!
K.

Why even chance it?!

If you really think it is important enough to take such a risk I am sure you can find research to say it is okay, but if you are concerned it is not hard to find research on the contrary. I don't believe that there is a definitive answer to the question yet. Clearlythere are many cosmotologists who say it is safe, but there are many doctor's who would tell you not to (who do you think knows more about your fetus?). So you have to decide for yourself if it is worth gambling with the unknown and your baby to adjust the way you look?

Yes, I did it with both of my pregnancies. Wait at least until you are through the first trimester.

Ask your doctor.
My doctor told me it was safe, and I continued to color my hair every six weeks. Good luck!

M.,

Hi,

Congratulations-- I heard that it wasn't safe before 12 weeks. I would talk to your doctor for their specific recommendations for you.

M.

Yes. The chemicals that are used now are not harmful to the baby. I had my hair colored while I was pregnant.

I'm a hairstylist as well. I have never heard of any problems. If you are someone that is particularly cautious, just get foils done. You can get what ever colors you want without having the color touch your scalp.
Yes color can be toxic, but I believe that the amount that will go through your blood stream and get to the baby would be so minimal. If you eat processed foods or warm foods up in the microwave you are getting toxins too. It's all how you choose to live. You have to live in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

I am also a licensed cosmetologist and can say that it safe to color your hair. The most important thing is to make sure you are in a well ventilated area when doing so. Breathing in the chemicals is the only potentially harmful thing for you. But ultimately, you need to do what makes you comfortable.

Congrats & good luck!

Hello,
I asked my OBGYN about coloring hair when I was pregnant with my daughter. She said that there has been no official study about risks with coloring hair during pregnancy. I was a still worried so I just colored my hair once during the 9 months and used hair color with no ammonia.
I hope this helps.

My sister in-law is a stylist and she does my hair. When I am pregnant she uses semi-permentant that have no harsh chemicals (which last for like 6 months) and still does not put it too close to my roots just to be safe. If you have concerns call you OB and ask that is something they can tell you over the phone.
C.

Congratulations! I highlighted my hair and my doctor said it was safe throughout pregnancy. I decided to wait until after I was 12 weeks. I would check with your doctor. If you're still uncomfortable, I'd wait until after the baby is born.

There is no reasearch that is conclusive either way, however many doctors tell you to avoid it altogether or at least in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Consider highlighting instead since the color does not touch your scalp and won't be absorbed in any way.(remember hair itself is actually dead cells and won't absorb anything into your body)It's contact with the scalp/hair follicles that holds any potential for harm.

I was told by my doctor that it was ok...but my husband never let me do it...hahahah

Dear M.,

It is safe to color your hair when you are pregnant. There are even some new coloring systems that are "green" and color hair without the harsh chemicals.

I have heard it is better to do highlights rather than an overall color that has to stay on your hair longer.

I would also have a professional do it for sure. They will know what is safe and what is not.

Enjoy and hope your hair turns out great. :)

N.

I did it when I was pregnant and have two perfectly healthy beautiful 4 year olds!

It is advised that you do not color, or perm your hair. They say the chemicals can go through your roots into your system.

some say no and some say it doesn't matter. i played it safe and kept my hair in a bun. (blond at the bottom and brown at the top)and about 3 weeks after i had my son i went to a salon and got died, cut, deep conditioned, and styled and i felt like a princess. it was the wait that made it feel so special. i was worth it, i'd suggest it to everyone.

Most hair coloring is a toxic chemical reaction (really, you can look it up!) and most doctors recommend not using it while pregnant. There are safe alternatives though. If you're going dark you could try a henna dye (it's a natural product derived from the henna plant); or if you're going light try adding fresh lemon juice to your hair then sitting out in the sun, it acts like a natural lightener. I've used the lemon juice trick for years and it adds subtle highlights to my usually dark blonde hair. These are to only two safe hair coloring tricks I know, hope this helps!

There is no definitive research, but we tend to stay away from it. Especially since everything you breathe so does the baby!

I hope so. I colored mine when pregnant, and I have 3 boys.

Hi. My ob told me absolutely not!!

I have been pregnant 3 times and colored my hair every time. My hair dresser says it is not on your head long enough to do any damage and you may in 9 months color your hair 2-3 times anyways. NO harm done. My kids are all normal and their is not enough research to tell otherwise.
trish

I have been doing hair for over 15 years, and have done hair while being pregnant 3 times. I have been told that getting your hair done is fine, as long as you feel ok, but stay away from dark colors. Apparently the darker the color, the more pigments and chemicals in it, so try to stay away from dark colors.

Another safe alternative is semi-permanent colors or color glosses which only deposit hair color, so there is no strong ammonia or strong peroxide involved!

I always heard it wasn't, but henna works, and it is safe. My hair has a lot of gray and I only use henna, and it totally works.

Hi M.,

Please google Henna for Hair, which will take you to a website which details several completely safe, plant-based, all-natural colorants, for black hair, brown, red, and blond. The chemicals in hair dyes at your beautician, or at Target and Longs, are toxic, particularly to a fetus I would think. People might tell you its perfectly safe, but that is wishful thinking. They are dangerous chemicals left on your scalp for twenty to forty minutes, giving them ample time to get into your bloodstream. I hope you will be cautious! There are alternatives. The plant-based colors (without any peroxides) are actually even good for your hair and scalp, extra conditioning. Some people are allergic to henna but most are not. I get a little itchy when I use it, but it goes away after a couple of days and it isn't poisonous. Just itchy. The other colors are less reactive as far as I know. Try a test patch. Good luck!

They don't know the true effects of the chemicals on a growing baby. Because of that they do recommend against coloring your hair while pregnant, so I was told. My sister in law colored her hair, when pregnant, and her blonde turned orange!!

Good luck!

Dear Elena,
It's best to stay away from chemicals, including hair dye, during pregnancy. You can use natural products such as water slouble, permanent plant-based dyes. I believe these dyes are manyfacured by Act by Nature and are called Palette by Nature. You can probably get these dyes at actbynature.com
Also possible that you can learn more from a cancer site as the cancer people are very interested in stopping people from dying their hair due to the danger.

How far along are you:)
Best of luck, S.
____@____.com

If you do use a rinse, this is a hair color that is semi-perm. usually washes out in 6-10 weeks. It has no ammonia and no peroxide. YOu have to use it more often.

Hi M.,

When I was pregnant with my first son, I asked my OB the same question. He said it was safe, but the only problem was that your body changes so much while your pregnant...even your hair. I continued to color my hair (which I started before I was pregnant) but noticed a change in the way it turned out. So when I was pregnant with my second son, I decided to just go back to my natural color.

Hope this helps some and congrats!!

no it isnt good while you are pregnant. i believe i have heard there are special kinds you can use but not sure what they are but they seem to be organic if zi remember correctly, you should just call your hairdresser he or she should know

The jury is still out on this one, but better safe than sorry!

I had the same question for my hair lady when I was pregnant. I absolutely trust this woman as she has not only been mine and my mother's hair dresser for 10 years, but also a good friend. She says it is safe, but because your hair changes while you are pregnant the color may come out a little different and your hair may respond to the color differently. Such as your hair may be more or less prone to damage. It won't hurt the baby though.

I colored my hair once during pregnancy and did not have a problem. I do recommend doing it outside or in a very well vetilated area as the fumes can be toxic and they also might make you a little nausious.

No. Try reading what to expect when you are expecting and that will give you a basic guideline to follow

Yes it is safe to color your hair during pregnancy. I am not a Dr. but I have been a hair stylist for 22 years and have had 3 children in between that time. Every Dr. I consulted said it was fine, and I not only colored my own hair but applied hundreds of color to others during my 3 prenancies.

yes. though, some people stop everything to try and get pregnant. most of these people feel they might be or are higher risked pregnancies. but its up to you:)