Is it Safe to Color Hair While Pregnant?

It is likely that you have been visiting the salon for hair color for many years and that it is a vital part of your beauty routine for many of those who do so. However, if you find out you’re expecting a child, you may discover that every activity that seemed usual is now being put into question.

In certain cases, such as in the second and third trimesters, having your hair colored while pregnant is regarded to be completely safe. Because most hair colors have limited contact with your scalp, the likelihood of any chemicals entering your circulation and, therefore, your baby’s bloodstream is quite low.

More information on why it is typically regarded as safe to get your hair dyed while you are pregnant may be found in the next section.

What Exactly Is Hair Dye?

Permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary hair dyes are all available in various formulations. Permanent hair color is the most difficult to achieve, yet it lasts for months with little to no fading if done correctly. Semi-permanent color lasts for a few weeks and maybe worn at home to cover grays in between salon appointments. It is also available in a variety of shades. Temporary hair color is often available in a spray composition and is meant to be washed off after one or two washes.

There are also many different methods of applying hair color. When you have a root touch-up, the dye is applied to your roots to make them match your hair color. This is a method that is often used to conceal gray hair. When a single color is put all over the hair to lighten or darken it, this is referred to as a single procedure.

Highlights, lowlights, and balayage are all terms used to describe the process of painting individual strands of hair to provide depth and contrast.

Is it OK to color your hair when you’re pregnant?

In accordance with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, coloring your hair while pregnant is considered safe. “The majority of specialists believe that wearing hair color while pregnant is not harmful to the baby,” according to the website.

We know that the chemicals in semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes are unlikely to be particularly harmful, and therefore they are probably safe to use during pregnancy, especially after the second trimester. However, we do not know how safe it is to use semi-permanent and permanent hair colors during pregnancy.

In the event that you colored your hair before discovering that you were pregnant, the likelihood of damaging your unborn child is minimal. You should still discuss it with your or your healthcare practitioner so that they may offer you any extra advice that may be appropriate.

Although dye contains chemicals, only a small amount of them is really absorbed by the skin on your scalp. Hair that has grown beyond the follicle on your head is really dead, and as a result, it has no method of “absorbing” color from the environment. If any of it reaches the circulation, it is in trace proportions. The possibility of the pollutants reaching the fetus seems to be exceedingly low.

Some people are concerned that if a color is left on your scalp for an extended period of time, it will enter your bloodstream. In addition, studies have shown that dye does not cause any major systemic exposure in people.

On top of that, since people who color their hair do it on a regular basis (every eight weeks on average), they would only get their hair colored three to four times throughout their pregnancy. Studies have shown that this will not have any additional negative consequences on the fetus.

Every pregnancy is unique in its own way. If you have any concerns about having your hair colored while pregnant, you should speak with your healthcare physician about your specific situation before proceeding.

While you are pregnant, you need to take special precautions while coloring your hair

While dying your hair is completely safe to do while pregnant, it is recommended that you wait until after the first trimester before doing so. This is the period of time during which the most rapid fetal development occurs. This is a “better safe than sorry” mentality since prenatal testing on pregnant women is not often performed. Highlights or balayage are other options that may be used to drastically limit the probability of chemicals coming into contact with the scalp.

Another alternative, according to Lee, is to use natural or plant-based colors. Make an effort to identify or request a dye that does not include the chemical paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which may cause allergic reactions or contact dermatitis in certain individuals. 5

If you absolutely must use a base color, an ammonia-free color is usually the best choice. Apart from being harmful to hair, ammonia has a strong smell that may cause brief throat and eye discomfort.

For those concerned about the chemicals in hair dye getting into their lungs, you may request to be seated near an open window or to have your color done in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, since the concentration is not high enough to be harmful, wearing a face mask is not required when having your hair colored.

Despite the fact that certain dyes, such as bleach, which is widely used for highlights, have a strong stench, studies have shown that personal use of hair color does not raise a person’s chance of developing cancer. Please keep in mind that the chemicals in hair dye are only applied to your head for a brief amount of time and then washed away with water.

Hairstylists who work while expecting a child

If you earn your profession as a hairdresser or colorist, it is quite acceptable to continue working throughout pregnancy.

3 Wearing gloves while handling dye, avoiding standing for lengthy amounts of time, and working in a salon with a decent ventilation system may all help to reduce the risk of exposure.

You don’t want to dye your hair when you’re pregnant, so here’s what you should do.

It is entirely up to a pregnant woman to determine whether or not to color her hair while pregnant. It’s possible to accept your grays while starting a new life, or you might go back to your roots (literally) by allowing your original hair color to grow out naturally.

If you need a temporary repair for a night out, there are root touch-up sprays and powders that you may use to get the desired look. Depending on how often you wash your hair, they may last one to three days.

This is the main takeaway

The majority of experts agree that you can dye your hair while pregnant. Pregnancy poses a minimal danger to the infant, particularly during the second and third trimesters. You are not required to have this cosmetic procedure performed, but it may help you feel more like yourself as your body changes. Make an appointment with your doctor or another healthcare practitioner to discuss what is best for you and your pregnancy.