Hair Coloring

Updated on September 12, 2007
E.G. asks from Briarcliff Manor, NY
24 answers

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is ok to dye your hair when you are pregnant? The first time I was pregnant I was told not to and now I'm pregnant again and some people are telling me its ok. I am about 31 weeks pregnant right now and my hair looks horrible!! Please advise! Thanks.

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A.M.

answers from New York on

Hi E.,

Well, I dyed my hair with my first and second baby. I asked my doctor and she said anytime after 15 weeks was ok. :)
Good Luck!
Anj~

C.S.

answers from New York on

I got married when I was 26 weeks pregnant and I had my hair highlighted for the wedding. They say the cap is better because the color stays off the scalp and therefore its less likely to enter the blood stream. I will say that having my hair colored was a terrible experience because sitting under the dryer was brutal. I was already hot all the time and I thought I was going to die sitting under that dryer thing. If you can stand the heat, you should be fine. Bring a cold bottle of water with you!! ;)

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C.M.

answers from New York on

Hi E.,

When I was pregnant I chose not to color my hair. The reasons are many, but mostly because I did not want to harm my child with any chemicals that would be absorbed through the skin on my scalp.

I truly believe that the chemicals and additives in our environment, foods, water, lotions, soap, etc. is what causes cancer. I know it is hard to live a chemical-free life style, but at least during your pregnancy, why not? Try organic anything you can find with minimal additives and/or man-made chemicals.

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E.S.

answers from New York on

After the 2nd tri-mester it's fine...they just reccomend that you use a low or no amonia formula due to the fumes...like a semi-permanent like Natural Instincts by Herbal Essence

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B.Y.

answers from New York on

Hi E....
My son is now 5 months and I colored my hair 2-3 times during my pregnancy... I got foils. But the last time (after my pregnancy) the color DID NOT COME UP... I was in the chair for what usually is 1.5 hours but for 4 hours waiting for the color to come up! Because of hormonal changes sometimes this happens. I have been going to the same salon for 15 years and my hairdresser felt horrible! I am going to try again and hope it takes this time! But just be aware. If you never colored your hair before, dont try it now, wait till after the preganancy.
Good Luck
B.

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S.B.

answers from New York on

Well I really do not know the answer to your hai coloring question. I do know, however that health food stores do sell natural products. How well they work, I don't know. I was interested in learning about your home based business though. Is there some info that you can pass on to me ?

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K.L.

answers from New York on

I think you can get foil highlights but no full hair color.Ask your hairdresser they are pretty knowledgeable.

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J.D.

answers from New York on

E.,

It is okay to color your hair while you are pregnant. Years ago, hair dye had ammonia in it, and the ammonia could be absorbed through the scalp and enter the bloodstream, eventually getting to your baby. They no longer use ammonia in hair dye. That's why the advice has changed from your first pregnancy.

One of the previous posters is right, though. Hormonal changes during pregnancy have left some women with disappointing results. For whatever reason, when you are pregnant, the dye doesn't always "take" to the hair, and you end up with either exactly what you had before, or patches where some hair dyes, and some does not. Eeek!! I would definitely recommend going to the salon to have it done, and not doing it at home. That way if there's a problem, you have someone who can help fix it.

Jess

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M.A.

answers from New York on

hi E., well when i was pregnant i got my hair colored a few times and everytime went well. if i were you i would do it you will feel alot better you will feel refreshed. GO FOR IT !!!! let me know how it goes :)

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D.P.

answers from New York on

Hi E.
I did't dye my hair during my 1st pregnancy. I looked horrible and felt horrible about it. The 2nd time around I did and the 3rd time as well and it made me feel better. From what I understand, most of the hair products are very safe today and don't use ammonia or other harmful chemicals. You can check with your hair salon or even call the 800 numbers on the boxes. Hair color has come a long way and most products are very safe today.

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T.W.

answers from New York on

E.,

Ask your doctor before you dye your hair. I asked mine and he told me to wait until after the 1st trimester. I did it when I was pregnant with my son (who is now 11 years old); I colored as well as frosted it. When I was pregnant with my last one I didn't dye my hair, but that is because the fumes made me sick to my stomach. I couldn't even go to get my hair cut so my hairdresser was a doll and came to me. Hope I was of some help. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Hugs,
T.

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N.O.

answers from New York on

Hi E.,

I also had that horrible head, but in my 8th month, i went ahead and did a relaxer with a little dye. Although my pediatrician said it wsn't a good idea, it wouldn't hurt. I had a high risk pregnancy with both and i would wait with all the problems in our world today. I also have a 4yr old daughter, very advanced, and my son was diagnosed with autism, he is just two. The hair could really wait. Good Luck!

N. O.

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F.H.

answers from New York on

I won't recommend in dying your hair. It is not the safest for the baby.

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R.A.

answers from New York on

I colored my hair once every tri-mester (I didn't do it every month) and I still had a happy healthy baby girl. You are going to hear it is the worst thing you could do by some and some are going to be all for it. Just so you know me and my 8 girlfriends all had our hair done mulitple times during pregnancy and all of us have beautiful healthy children. I say go for it!!!

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J.G.

answers from New York on

Hi
I wouldn't do that, but my friend died her hair around 31 weeks too and her pregnancy went well. What did ur doctor say?
Good Luck with the baby!

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B.T.

answers from New York on

E., first off congats on the baby. I gave birth to my son in April and had my hair done all through my pregnancy, as well as my 3 prior to that. I went to the salon and had it done with all except 1. I was told it was safer to use the temp. colors at home than the salon and was wrong...... I was informed by my Dr. during my last preg. that it basicly falls under the category of and old wives tale. There has never been any proof in testing that suggests hair color will do harm. Hair color has come along way and nolonger contains the same stuff as it did prior. I was told not to use the box stuff, go to a prof. that the box stuff carries higher amounts and different chemicals than prof. color, but not for potential harm but because of breathing in the fumes. Your body doesnt absorb enough of anything into the blood stream to cause harm during the process. I also used the salon as a place to get away and relax. It always feels better to have someoneelse wash your hair. It was like my sanctuary. I was a high risk preg. and had so much stress that this was my time to decompress, catch up on gossip and just have someone else take care of me. Make your own decision, you will get advice from both sides of the fence. Talk to your Dr. I wouldnt suggest doing perms or extensive treatment only because of the smell but perm chemicals are much harsh and with your hormones it could come out not as you were expecting or not at all. Same goes for coloring so trust a professional , and destress. something like this does more than help your hair it helps your well being, when you look better you feel better and during all the changes of pregnancy who doesnt need a lil help.

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P.M.

answers from New York on

I wouldn't do it, but that's just me and I know many who did and were fine. I think highlights are less risky, since it doesn't go to your scalp/roots. I would just be afraid with everything changing day to day (one day is ok to do something and the next it's not). If you have to do it, do it with a safe brand like the organic brands, or try henna. good luck

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O.S.

answers from New York on

I have three children and my CNM advised against using the OTC brands because they're not safe for the baby.
However, she suggested using Henna or some other brand that has all natural ingredients. I've seen some all natural hair coloring brands on www.drugstore.com--some have gotten great ratings from satisfied customers.
So my suggestion would be to use an all natural brand that does not contain any harmful ingredients like the OTC mainstream brands have.

Good Luck!!

Laura~

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Q.F.

answers from New York on

definitely ask your dr. 1st...but from what mine said, it was ok, after the 1st trimester, but you have to have as much ventilation as possible (windows OPENED). there is one thing you have to realize 1st, which my dr. also informed me on..with all the chemical changes your body is going through right now, the color may not come out quite like you want, or like it has in the past. it can become a completely different color (too light, or dark), and there's a possibility that it just won't take as well as it should (look faded from the beginning). BUT it may just come out as perfect as it had in the past, just double check with the dr. before you decide anything.

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N.M.

answers from New York on

E.,
Dont color your hair while pregnant. The color wont take anyway

N.

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C.W.

answers from New York on

Hello and Congrats to you. My name is C.. I just had a baby girl 3 months ago. I also have a 6 year old. Both girls. I also work from home. I am a licensed cosmetologist. I have a hair studio.Dream...Artistic Design. I pet sit too. "Country Pet Day and Night Care"
As far as coloring your hair when you are pregnant, You will be fine. There is no proven scientific link that hair color will harm your baby. Trust me I have researched it. If you have more questions, let me know. I hope i helped. Thanks C.

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R.L.

answers from New York on

hi it is ok to dye your hair when pregnant. the only thing is it may not take as well as if you weren't pregnant. you hair folicle changes while your pregnant. but it won't damage your hair.. at all. herbal essence has a nice dye that is natural no ammonia. and is gentle yet the colors are great i use that on my hair, (i have very thin, fine hair) so i have to be careful also. good luck. may i ask about your stay at home business. i have a son at home that is 8 with adhd and get called from school alot. and something like that would be great for me or even if i did it part time for extra income

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B.A.

answers from New York on

I think that since you have not been coloring your hair throughout your pregnancy and you are well past your 1st trimester, you should be fine to color your hair. I don't think there have been enough studies done to say for sure what the risks really are and the advice from the "experts' seems to be mixed. Ask your obstatrician what he/she thinks. Mine told me it was fine after the fist trimester. Highlights are the least risky since there is little direct contact with the scalp. There are also no amonia or low chemical hair colors out there. If you go to a good colorist, they can probably help you find a good compromise.
I can understand your concern for your baby and I can also understand the need to look attractive at this stage in pregnancy!!
All will be fine whatever you decide, I'm sure.
Good luck- B.

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N.K.

answers from New York on

Well, I stopped coloring my hair during my pregnancy. But everything I read and my doctor said it was okay. Especially the store bought variety. I guess the theory is that so little of it gets absorbed into your body in the short time its on your head. I think it just depends on how careful you want to be. I was of the better safe than sorry mentality :o) I know the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" has a couple paragraphs on hair coloring too. Hope that helps.

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