Hair Dying? Is it Safe?

Question

I have high-lights in my hair right now. And my sister in -law told me later in my pregnancy it's risky to dye your hair during pregnancy. So I I’ll just dye my hair back to it's normal color, rather then having it un-even. I'm 6 weeks preg. Would it be safe enough since I’m still early in my pregnancy to dye my hair? And what is a safe/good brand of hair-dye? to do it yourself.

thx, i guess i'll wait till my 2nd trimester. Anyone know natural hair dye products? What are the names of them? I want to do an ALL OVER color in black.

Answer 1

Personally, i dont buy into this thoery. I'm a hairdresser I've never seen it hurt anyone who is pregnant. I also colored my hair the whole time I was pregnant. You can continue to hi-light or you can color it back to your natural color. If you have a Sally's Beauty Supply near you , you can go there and get something like Mis Clairol. You will also need some developer. Depending on your hair length, you will probably need one bottle and some developer. Just mix 2 ounces of color with 2 ounces of developer leave on for about 25 minutes. Just choose a color that's closest to your natural color.

Answer 2

Your Sis-in-Law is confused as it is those early weeks (the first trimester, really) that the embryo/fetus is the most sensitive to toxins in your system. As I understand it, the reason that they have not deemed hair dying safe during pregnancy is because low levels of the the dye, esp permanent color, can be detected in our blood after use. However, there is no solid evidence that this will or can cause any problems with the pregnancy. Your best bet is to wait until the second trimester to use a natural or semi-permanent color. Or, just stick to the highlights. Professionally applied, they are safer due to the fact that the product does not touch the scalp and does not therefore reach the blood stream. Just make sure your salon is well ventilated!
It is entirely possible be pregnant and still fabulous. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Coloring your hair is questionable during pregnancy. Coloring at home, I would do it in a well-ventilated room and use gloves. It would be even safer to avoid hair dyeing in the first trimester or to highlight instead of full color. Its the fumes and toxins in the dye you are worrying. If your skin or body absorbs something it enters the womb. Regardless of what it is. Thats why you don't use "black head or acne medicine" on your face due to the salicylic acid it contains.

I would be more cautious about acrylic nails, since they would need to be redone more often, and the fumes in nail salons are extreme. If getting nails done, I'd wear a mask.

I would wait until after my 1st trimester then highlight it once and not touch it again until after the baby was born. Good Luck!

Answer 4

No one has enough information to promise with certainty that using chemical dyes during pregnancy is completely safe, so many pregnant women wait until after the first trimester. At the same time, no one has any human data to show these chemicals cause birth defects.
Clearly, the chemicals in both permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. These chemicals have been around a long time, and no research shows they cause defects in newborns, so colouring your hair during pregnancy is probably safe. Plus, if you apply the dyes safely (using gloves in a well-ventilated room, and not leaving solutions on for excessive periods of time), you don't really absorb much of the chemicals into your system.

One alternative you might consider is highlighting, painting, or frosting your hair. You absorb hair colouring agents into your system through your skin (scalp), not through your hair shaft. So, any process - such as streaking - that puts less of the chemical in contact with your scalp reduces your exposure to the compounds in dyes.

Some experts recommend vegetable dyes as a good alternative to synthetic chemical agents during pregnancy. Many of these dyes also contain some of the same synthetic chemical compounds that the major cosmetic companies put in their permanent and semi-permanent dyes. Pure henna, which comes in a number of colours, is the exception. Henna is a semi-permanent vegetable dye considered to be very safe, though not everyone loves the hues it may impart!

Answer 5

I had two different doctors during my pregnancy and they each said that dying your hair was fine because the chemicals they use now aren't as harsh as they used to be, and they don't sit on your head long enough to get into your blood stream. The main risks are superficial, really. There's a chance that the same color you've been using for years will suddenly turn a different color because of your hormones (like that lovely blonde will turn brassy or even orangey), or the smell of the dyes will turn your stomach and make you throw up.

If it makes you sick, then you should quit because it's not good for you or the baby to keep throwing up. Otherwise, it's perfectly okay, as long as you aren't the type to be trying out a different color every week. I did mine every 8 weeks during pregnancy, instead of every 6 like I usually do. And I do all-over color, not just simple highlights.

You and the baby will be fine to just continue like you are.

Congratulations!

Answer 6

I also have highlights and have been told that they are safe, since the color is applied about a 1/4 of an inch from the scalp. Therefore, your skin does not absorb it. Just be careful about how much time you are spending in the salon and try to go in the morning or a time when they will be least busy to avoid unecessary fumes. If you are still not sure, just ask your doctor. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I would ask your doctor. My doctor said no dye during the first trimester at all, but after that, the only thing he ok'd was highlights. He preferred none at all though. They are safer because the dye does not sit on your scalp.
But then again, I have a friend that is 11 weeks and her doctor said ok for any dye and at any time.
Call your doctor's office. They will tell you what they suggest.

Answer 8

The age old adage of "getting your hair done is bad while pregnant" was started because the chemicals ARE harsh. But it was more of a warning to the stylists who spend 8 hours a day inhaling all of those chemicals. As a hair dresser myself, i wouldn't recomend bleaching out your whole head. Maybe get some highlights to break up those roots. Instead of doing a full head of highlights, just get a horseshoe and some underneath (if you put your hair up).

Answer 9

when i was pregnant, i was told that it wasn't so much dying your hair that was harmful, but being around the fumes for long periods of time (i.e. it's not best to be dying other people's hair 8hrs a day). i did dye my hair while i was pregnant. after the lady applied the dye i stepped outdoors for some fresh air, and sat in a back room until it was time to rinse.

Answer 10

Yes, it's safe. The small amount of chemical that would seep through your scalp will not harm the baby. I read that in a pregnancy magazine, my OB told me, friends reassured me, and so did my colorist. I did my hair red throughout my pregnancy, even at the beginning. I would have looked like his grandmother otherwise! lol Any of it is safe; the "dangers" is an old wives' tale. Don't worry about it! Congratulations!