Can I Dye My Hair While Pregnant?

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman's life. You're growing a tiny human inside you and watching your body change in amazing ways. However, there are some things that you might have to give up or reconsider during this time, such as dyeing your hair. Many women wonder whether it's safe to dye their hair while pregnant. In this blog post, we'll explore this topic and provide you with some helpful information.

The concern about hair dye and pregnancy

One of the main concerns about hair dye during pregnancy is that the chemicals in hair dye could be harmful to the developing foetus. Some studies have suggested that hair dye chemicals may be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. This absorption may be increased during pregnancy due to changes in the skin and blood vessels. There is also a concern that inhaling fumes from hair dye could be harmful to the developing foetus.

What do the experts say?

The NHS says:
"The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. Most research, although limited, shows it's safe to colour your hair while pregnant.

Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared with the very low amount of chemicals you may be exposed to when colouring your hair

You may decide to wait to dye your hair until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the risk of chemical substances harming the baby is much lower. If you're colouring your hair yourself, you can reduce the risk further by making sure you:

• wear gloves
• leave the dye on for the minimum time
• work in a well-ventilated room
• rinse your scalp once the dye is applied

Highlighting your hair, by putting the dye only on to strands of hair, also reduces any risk. The chemicals used are only absorbed by your hair, and not by your scalp or bloodstream.

Semi-permanent pure vegetable dyes, such as henna, are a safe alternative.

Do remember that pregnancy can affect your hair's normal condition. For example, your hair may:

• react differently to colouring or perming than it usually does
• become more or less absorbent, frizzy or unpredictable

It's always a good idea to do a strand test first using the hair dye or treatment you intend to use. Speak to your hairdresser for advice.

Some hair dyes to avoid during pregnancy

While it's generally safe to dye your hair during pregnancy, there are some types of hair dye that you should avoid. These include:

1. Bleaching agents: Bleaching agents contain high levels of ammonia, which can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. This can be harmful to the developing foetus.

2. Henna: Henna hair dye is a natural alternative to chemical hair dyes, but it's not recommended during pregnancy. This is because it can interfere with some prenatal tests and make it difficult to detect foetal distress.

3. Semi-permanent hair dye: Semi-permanent hair dye contains fewer chemicals than permanent hair dye, but it still contains some. It's best to avoid it during pregnancy if possible.

Can You Bleach Hair While pregnant

Whilst the NHS states that though chemicals in hair colours are toxic, the general consensus is that it is safe to dye your hair whilst pregnant. Unfortunately, there is little to no data on whether or not it's safe to bleach your hair while you are pregnant. 

You may worry day to day about what chemicals are coming into contact with you and your unborn baby, especially when bleaching your hair. 

The general guide for bleaching your hair when you're pregnant is that it typically is safe but to be extra cautious if you really do want to have your hair bleached whilst lowing risk of absorbing chemicals through your scalp would be to have a your hair foiled. This will reduce the amount of chemicals coming into contact with your scalp as typically, you do not foil to the root so there is less chance of the scalp coming into contact with chemicals. 

We would also strongly recommend having your colour/bleaching service performed in a well ventilated area as bleaching can be quite an intense service. 

Best Practices

Whether your having your hair bleached or coloured, it's important to remember that you should always be following best practices and if you are doing it yourself, you should always follow the manufacturers guidelines. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's generally safe to dye your hair during pregnancy, but you should take some precautions to reduce the risk of harm to the developing foetus. If you're concerned about using hair dye during pregnancy, speak to your healthcare provider for advice. They can provide you with more information and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to dye your hair during pregnancy.