Hair Coloring and Straightening

I wouldn't do it just to be safe. There re studies out there that say any toxic fume is bad for an adult's brain, so the chemicals, if they get passed down to your child, cannot be good.

I have very thick, curly hair and I had the same problem with all of it.I cut it shorter and embraced it with Curls Rock hair product. It holds those curls without making crunchy hair. I just put it in after a shower and let it dry naturally. Not too many chemicals there. Good luck!

I would just get a straightener and do it yourself. I know of too many woman who had their hair chemically straightened and once her hair starts growing, it's wavy (same effect as when you get a perm and then your outgrowth is straight).
I went through two pregnancies and breastfed two babies and had my hair colored and no ill-effects to my children

I have to agree with Jenn S. Try a flat iron and embrace your curls by checking out this site: http://www.curlmart.com/

I agree, get a flat iron & skip the chemical controversy...

Find a good hairdresser who specializes in curly locks/easy care hair to help tame them the day(s) you might want to go curly...check with Suzanne O'Brien, who works at Dynamics Hair & Massage Studio in Davis, www.dynamicsdavis.com or ###-###-####. She does my hair, it's curly & easy care, & some days I straighten it for a different look. She is great!

Hope this helps..

Hi G.,
I have never heard of chemicals from straightening or coloring affecting your breastmilk. I'm an African American woman, we relax and color our hair all the time. None of the women I know have ever experienced their milk being affected, nor have any of our doctors told us not to continue caring for our hair in this way. However, the hormones associated with pregnancy and breast feeding can change your hair texture, in my case my hair grew very thick during my pregnancies and I experienced a little hair loss afterwards.

I hope this helps, please take care of yourself, don't let yourself go for the sake of your child.

L.

From what I understand it's more the fumes that people are concerned about and that is why there is such controversy. I haven't seen any studies done on the effects of the fetus during hair coloring/straightening. Since you are not pregnant, but breastfeeding, I would think that it would be fine. BUT! The wavy look is in right now!!! Why would you want to straighten it out? Why not get a flat iron for those days that you do want to go straight?

I don't think the chemicals used by salons are safe for people, pregnant or not. Most of them contain cancer-causing substances, and they're put directly onto your scalp. Not good. But people rationalize anything in industrialized societies. I have very straight hair and got it permed when I was a teenager. Now I don't bother, but I see women with curly or wavy hair and I appreciate the heck out of it. You are blessed!!! I hope one day you will learn to love your locks the way the are. Curls are wonderful.

Dear G.,
Hair color is safe. Perming is safe. And straightening your hair is just about the same as making it curly, only with the opposite result intended.
Make sure you have a well vented area and don't get the chemicals on your hands and skin. It won't hurt your breastmilk.

That said, if you have naturally curly hair, why would you want to straighten it? Especially if you are used to putting it in a pony tail and going to work with it still wet? I have straight hair, and believe me, there is no way I could get away with just throwing in a pony tail and going off to work with wet hair. Thinking you can just leave it down, straight and wet, is even worse.
You can do what you want and I certainly think it's high time you go to a salon to treat yourself. But consider getting a good haircut that will allow you to get out of the shower, put a little product in your hair, and embrace your curls. It can be dry by the time you get to work, or shortly thereafter, and you will have volume and body and shape that straightening your hair will not allow you without having to work and work at it. And it sounds like you don't have the time.
I know, personally, I would give anything not to have to put some shape INTO my hair.

See a good hair stylist and best of luck!

Hi G.. I was always extremely strict with myself when it came to chemicals and breastfeeding!! Just recently I found out I have to go on an extremely potent medicine and the Dr advised that I don't get anywhere near pregnancy. My point is is that she said no medicine or chemical should be introduced to your system when breastfeeding or pregnant because no one really knows the real effects it could have!! Not to scare you but I wouldn't do it. Just hold off until you quit breastfeeding!!! And my ob. always told me not to color my hair- even highlights while I was pregnant!!

Have you thought about using a flat iron? I have one and it works great. It's fast and easy. I have a 14 month old and completely understand having no time "to do" your hair. You can get a good one at a beauty supply store (like Sally's). The Ionic (by ion) irons are the best.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Flat%20Irons/BUYNOW01-01,defau...
Good luck!

The products used at salons are chemicals and will be transferred through breastmilk. I don't know what they will do one there are traces in your baby's tummy. I do know that there is no definitive answer of how most chemicals effect babies. However, once in a while evidence comes up that a chemical we have been using for years is toxic and then banned or not recommended for pregnant or nursing children. This is why many professionals and nonprofessionals alike recommend parents stay away from unnecessary chemicals, especially when breatfeeding or pregnant since babies and fetuses are more suseptable to damage.

Also, many chemicals do not leave the system and over the years cause alot of toxicity in people as they build up.

No, it wwill not effect your breastmilk. I talked to my hairdresser when I saw this. She's had several nursing moms as clients and has never had a problem and there is no "scientific" stats to say that it will be an issue.