Hair Coloring

I've been dying my hair (with chemicals) forever, and when I was pregnant, I asked my obgyn about it. He said it was fine. I also did some reading and didn't find any problems noted.

I didn't in the first trimester, but had a highlight at about 7 months pregnant and it came out way too bright! The hairstylist said it was b/c of the hormones and had to use a toner twice to bring down the coloR!

Hey M., It is my understanding that the potential problem with coloring your hair during pregnancy is that because of your extra hormones you may have unexpected results with the dye...not that the hair dye will in some way seep into your body and harm your baby.

I did color my hair during my pregnancy with my son with no unexpected results, however, I had my hair done before I knew I was pregnant with my twins and WHOA! what should have been a medium-dark brown turned ORANGE within a day after my appt. It was actually then that I looked at my other symptoms, and realized I was pregnant. Anyway, I went back to the stylist and she was able to correct the color to a degree...but it was like a science experiment to see what color the twins would turn my hair. It was my ob/gyn's suggestion that because I had extra hormones from two babies that the reaction occurred so strongly.

Good Luck! M.

Hi M.,

The question you ask will bring varying and sometimes contradictory answers. To be on the safe side, as you always want to do when pregnant, don't color with chemicals. Try some henna (see my response to Lulu's hair coloring question). Best of luck to you and enjy your pregnanacy!

S.

It is safe to color your hair. If you do worry about it just do foils.
Foils never actually let the color touch your scalp so it is safe because there is no chemicals touching your skin.

I asked my hairdresser, who is a close faimly friend, with two health children of her own. Her answer is that there is no direct evidence or studies that have been done that you have to stop. But make sure you let them know because the color will usually take much faster than when you were not pregnant. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant and still coloring my hair. Let last time I went she did not even but me under the dryer because it came up so fast. It is really a personal preferance, I was not ready to tell anyone and needed it done so I have it done and when you are pregnant you want to feel and look good even though you are packing on the pounds. It was worth it for me.

I have heard that you are not to do a "full" color on your hair throughout your pregnancy and definitely not the first 3 months but that doing highlights with foils is fine because the color will not touch your scalp. Don't know if this still holds to be true, I didn't color my hair during either of my pregnancies and just waited till afterwards to get my highlights back in. :)

Hi M.,

I have been using Henna to color my hair for 2 years now, and LOVE it. It works just like permanent color on my hair -- only the roots end up showing once my hair grows enough. No chemicals are used. It is basically like putting clay in your hair and it colors it. My hair dresser uses coffee instead of water to mix it up, and that helps the color stick to the grey longer.

Good luck!
L.

i've colored my hair through both my pregnancies - every 5-6 weeks religiously - no problems. i have very stubborn greys - and the color actually takes better to my greys when i'm preg - then when i'm not.

this time around on my second - i did notice my scalp was a little more sensitvice but that's about it.

I have a 10 month old and I have always colored my hair. My OB said it was safeest during the middle trimester. The only thing is that sometimes your hormones can make your color come out a little funny colored I've heard. Never happened to me

You can color you hair anytime. I would try a low ammonia formula (if doing it yourself). If in doubt, go on some of the hair coloring websites, or google, and see which ones are safe to use at home. If you are going to a salon, just make sure you tell them that you are pregnant, and ask about what type of hair products they use. The only problem you may have is that the color doesn't take / last as long as usual. My hair dresser uses Farouk products, and they are great! No smell, and they are totally safe for any type of hair. Hope this helps!

I waited through the first three months before I colored my hair again.

I asked my Ob/Gyn and she advised me that I could color my hair. My colorist uses Framesi - which is only color, no chemicals, and I colored my hair throughout both of my pregnancies.

Check with your doctor and see what he/she says. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

C.

Hi M., I have been coloring my hair forever! Gray hair runs in my family (at a young age). I have had two children, both girls, 5 & 3. I colored my hair through both pregnancies and my girls are fine.........so I guess it is a matter of opinion.....color away!

Congratulations!
I waited until after the first trimester to color my hair - the first trimester is so important, where all the organs are forming. I wouldn't risk any chemicals at that time. And after that, only foil - no chemicals on the scalp, as it is porous.
Good Luck! Also - double check with your Dr's just to be safe.
E.

My doctor told me when I was pregnant with my son that you should wait til after first trimester. He did say I could get highlights though (because that touches your scalp less). I have a hairdresser friend that thinks that its all BS... she said she worked though both pregnancies and did coloring all the time (including on herself)...

Congratulations! I colored my hair throughout all 3 of my pregnancies. I know highlighting is very safe since the dye doesn't touch your scalp.

Hi M.!!Congrats to you!!How exciting.We tell all of our patients that there are no studies shown that any hair dye/coloring,foils ect...have been harmful to the fetus!!To ease your mind maybe you should wait untill you are out of your 1st trimester(only because,god forbid something should happen,you would in your mind associate the loss to the haircoloring!!)So I would wait untill your 1st ultrasound and then color away....if you choose.I got foils during my pregnancy,twice!!Dont sweat it,do what you think is best!!Have a wonderful pregnacy!!-J.

Its always best to ask your OB first. They know your condition, etc. I have some friends that colored their hair one color throughout the pregnancy and others that waited until they were in their 3rd trimester before highlighting (b/c of the bleach used). Usually if the person coloring your hair stays away from the scalp - you are ok. Just when you call to make an appt - let them know you are PG and see what they say.....

I think it has more to do with your preferences. I asked a Hair stylist about it once and she said that the only real problem with coloring you hair during pregnancy is whether you'll retain the color or not. Because of the chemical and hormone change sometimes our hair won't hold a dye or won't dye properly. She said no harm comes to the baby. Of course, I dyed my hair while pregnant with my last son and people jumped all over me. I have been dying my hair off and on for many years and have three happy, healthy, intelligent children. So, again I say, it's up to you.

Hi M.
I am a hairstylist and have been for 20 years. I have a 16 year old daughter and an 8 month old daughter. I colored my hair monthly thru both of my pregnancys. They are both very healthy. And let me tell you, hair color is much safer now than it was 20 years ago. I have had many clients thru the years. Most of them kept up thier hair color. Very few stopped coloring due to pregnancy. If you are worried you can always foil your hair. That way the color does not touch your skin at all.

M.,
It's ok throughout the pregnance. The fumes aren't strong enough to bother anything and there is natural dye on the market if you still feel nervous. And, since the dye doesn't seep into your skin there is no way for it to enter your bloodstream. So, get your hair done and feel great about it!

Congrats! I heard that coloring isn't really a problem anymore, although if you are in doubt, wait until your second or third trimester. I also used plant-based/wash out color (Natural Instincts) and hear that is fine since there's no ammonia.

Keep in mind, though, that your skin and other senses can be more sensitive at this time. I got my hair professionally highlighted when I was eight months pregnant and the smell/fumes in the salon nearly made me puke! Plus, when I got done, I had orange hair. Normally, I would have rocked a funky do, but being fat and swollen and emotional, I just cried instead. Wouldn't do that again!

I must say that I have a wonderful OBGYN practice. They address any and all common issues at the very first visit, even if they don't apply. They don't assume hair coloring or anything else, they just say that they address all common things to preserve the privacy of anyone who isn't comfortable sharing. After this visit they certainly do tailor their care. I loved not having to divulge certain details that I only share with my husband.

Anyway, the first time I was pregnant (in 03 and 04) nothing at all was mentioned about hair color. I remember only that other women spoke about it. The second time it was addressed. The nurse practioner said that no hair coloring (that came in contact with the scalp) was advised during the first trimester; but fine from there on out. Personally, I had already done my hair before she said this so timing-wise, I could hold off again until the 2nd trimester--my hair grows slowly, even during pregnancy. I didn't have any issues with the coloring I did before my 9 week appointment.

My aunt is a hair dresser and I think I remember her saying that it's best to wait until the end of the first trimester because of the hormones. They may trigger a reaction in the hair and it may not turn out the correct color. Not sure if this is exactly correct but your hairdresser would know better.

L. H

Hair dye contains toxic chemicals that no adult, let alone an unborn fetus should be exposed to! Anything that goes on, or in your body will reach your baby...an example of this: medical patches that deliver medicine through your skin! There are tons of studdies on how women working in salons have higher rates of cancer due to their exposure to such chemicals! Give up the hair coloring and love yourself for who you are so that you may teach your child to do the same...or if you must color, use something ALL NATURAL as suggested like Henna!