Is coloring your hair during pregnancy dangerous?

Trina - posted on 01/09/2013

I met a girl who said she dyed her hair every other month during her pregnancy a deep burgundy red color and that when her son. When he was born and got a few months older she noticed that her sons hair had taken on the burgundy color she had been dying her hair while pregnant with him. She is a beautiful darker skinned black woman and I saw in the photos of her equally handsome dark skinned son, his hair was sure enough deep burgundy red; semi-naturally.

Barb - posted on 02/24/2012

I didn't do it my first pregnancy cause my hair was very blonde I let it go my hair look awful. Now I only get streeks and get it coloured so I don't have to get it done as much. My hair dresser told me it was ok too, because she was dying hair for 9 months of her pregnancy so I don't really know for sure. My old Doctor said it was just fine as long as I didn't do it all the time like I use to do. You will hear a million things from different people my bestfriend dyed it anyways cause she so obessed hair she couldn't cut it down every to every other month. I don't think hair dressers would let us do that to ourselfs and our babies if it was really hurting them or damaging them. I think people can be over parinod like this lady who told you are posioning your baby!

Sarah - posted on 02/12/2012

No, don't worry about it.

Jodi - posted on 01/05/2012

If the amount of color that was absorbed by your scalp was enough to harm your baby... then it would be enough to harm you and YOU would be getting sick every time you color your hair (which I am guessing is not the case.) And if the fumes were that dangerous than all hairdressers would have to leave work as soon as possible after they find out they are pregnant (which I am guessing also isn't the case!) I would have kindly advised the women to worry about her own body. :)

Maia - posted on 01/04/2012

its not a problem :) I did wait untill my second trimester, but I colored my hair 2 times. Baby was perfectly healthy. Im 13 weeks now and I am going to put blonde streaks in a few weeks. I have heard about the dye fading or changing color because of hormones though, but never had a problem

Ashlee - posted on 05/28/2010

Don't let that woman scare you, everyone has they're own opinions and ideas about pregnancy, but it's the facts that matter. And the facts are that coloring your hair during pregnancy is ok. I wouldn't do it once a week or anything, but as long as your hairdresser is aware and your in a more or less well ventalated area then it's fine. Perms though, are a big no no during pregnancy!

Anna - posted on 05/28/2010

I'm 22 weeks now and had my hair colored couple of weeks ago. I had done lots of research before I decided to dye my hair. Basically, there is no conclusive research into the effects of coloring hair and pregnancy. There is a risk of chemicals getting into your blood stream but most experts are of the opinion that it is fine as long as it is done properly and with products that contain no ammonia and low chemicals level. They also recommend that semi-permanent and in particular, highlights are the safer option since the dye does not touch your roots. Also, they recommend that it is done in the mornings while there are not so many fumes in the salon.
As for the chemicals level, Aveda hair color products are about 99% natural so that's what I opted for.
I also confirmed with my doctor and she said it was perfectly fine but to try not to get the dye touch your roots.

Danielle - posted on 05/24/2010

It's perfectly okay to dye your hair as long as you're not using a really strong bleach. I dyed my hair quite a bit when I was pregnant with my first and she's perfectly healthy and beautiful. I wouldn't worry.

Samantha - posted on 05/23/2010

i did it and my babe is perfectly fine :]

Sue - posted on 05/23/2010

no i dyed my hair black your safe as long as you are in an open area

Jennifer - posted on 05/23/2010

I've read in a mag that you can get highlights in your hair, but coloring could be harmful. But if you color after your 1st trimester it's ok.

Kirsten - posted on 05/23/2010

I just colored my hair at the very end of my first trimester. I used "Natural Instincts" because it is ammonia free, and still gave me a rich color. Be careful though, because hormones can warp how it comes out. I was actually lucky though.

Faith - posted on 05/23/2010

The only reason dye is bad, is becuase of the desired result may not be the outcome, which goes for all colors. Not just black or ash. Black is bad anyway, expecially when wishing to remove the color. Ash can turn ugly anyway (i try not to use ash if possible in the salon). If you girls have questions, feel free to contact me.

Faith - posted on 05/23/2010

As a cosmetologist, who has a 17 month old and pregnant again, the only thing that is NOT okay as far as going into a salon is acrylic nails, and you have to be careful during pedicure massage. Everything else is fine. I was in school when i was pregnant (both last time and this time) and that is the only thing i avoid at all cost!!!

Just be cautious that your hair color may NOT turn out the desired result!!!

Ashley - posted on 05/23/2010

I was told that your not supossed to dye your hair while your pregnant because of the chemicals,so I waited even though my hair looked like crap and the dye was fading

Jessica - posted on 05/22/2010

it is fine bettertoo be done at a hair dressers tho but i heard the dye with ash in it is bad like black hair dye

Cheryl - posted on 05/22/2010

The fumes are not good for the baby but many salons are being built with much better ventalation. It was my understanding that the color and perm won't take the same as they usually would because of all your hormones. I know my hair grows like crazy when I'm pregnant, then falls out like crazy as I'm breastfeeding. It's not that the checmicals will hurt the baby, it's that it might be a waste of your money if a perm doesn't take cuase of your hormones interfering.
But, yes the fumes you must be careful. Same with getting a manacure/pedicure, etc.
Atleast that's my understanding. I haven't ever colored my hair and haven't had a perm since the 80's big hair craze ;-) so I'm not too up on it.

Anastasia - posted on 05/22/2010

The chemicals are not good for the baby, But I guess it's just as bad as smoking during pregnancy. I didn't colour my hair while I was pregnant but it is your choice and no-one elses! Once every trimester might be too often but once during the whole pregnancy should be fine! You never know, Your baby may come out with purple/blond hair, now wouldn't that be cute! For a girl anyway haha. Hope I've helped you a little atleast :)

Sarh - posted on 05/22/2010

People say not to color your hair while pregnant because of the chemicals that seep into your skin and blood stream and can go to the baby. Ever OB says something different, most say it's NOT ok and some say it's fine. I think you have gone over board w/the every trimester, thats not even good for you or your hair or scalp let alone the baby. I assume you go to every appointment for the baby and I would hope your doctor is observant. Ask your doctor what his/her opinion on coloring your hair is. At this point it is frankly too late. You should have asked when you found out you were pregnant!

Imari - posted on 05/21/2010

Ok just becareful that's all cuz I hear one thing then other

Lauren - posted on 05/21/2010

It is perfectly fine to do. There isn't much that gets absorbed into your body and there are no studies that show that dying your hair harms the baby. As long as you have been doing it in a well ventilated area you should be perfectly fine. The fumes are mainly the only things that people have questioned that may cause issues, but I have been dying my hair since the first trimester and my baby is perfectly normal and healthy. Although I found that certain types of dye just don't stay in my hair that is the only difference I have found during pregnancy. Also that lady is probably just old school when it was thought that it would harm the baby, but it really doesn't.



Here is an article that sums up all the research and articles I read on hair dye during pregnancy. Although they say to be cautious they say it is still shown to be perfectly safe.

http://www.justmommies.com/articles/hair...

Imari - posted on 05/21/2010

Yes the doctor says it's not good just wait, u around the time to give birth just be careful

Joanna - posted on 05/21/2010

the chemicals don't actually penetrate enough to harm a child, although most doctors caution to wait until the second trimester just to be sure. However one reason people still say not to dye your hair is because since you're pregnant your body reacts differently so your hair might not take the dye as it normally would. And also the fumes are an issue so it's recommended to have it done in a well ventilated area.

Kalee - posted on 05/21/2010

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice and encouragement!

Maria - posted on 05/21/2010

no i dont think its dangerous. i researched it a little bit when i was pregnant with my first. the amount of chemicals that get absorbed through your scalp is soo low that it wouldnt effect anything. anyways my son came out all right

Stacy - posted on 05/21/2010

well i was in your same boat with wondering if dyeing and perming my hair was safe. I looked it up online. perming is a no-no when pregnet because the chemicals they use are way harsh. obgyn agreed. now with dyeing hair... online it says to only use the 30 day dye if you must. my obgyn also said to only use the over the counter stuff, perferrably the 30day, he said a salon is a no no. so i just choose to wait until baby is born to get what i want done, and yes hormones can make the color not accurate, but in my opinion the over the counter stuff is way strong and dont work that well so i prefer a salon but from what i was told that they use more harsh chemicals and they soak through your scalp into your brain and into your bloodstream and that is how it affects the baby. for me in my own opinion i rather be safer then sorry so i will just wait. although this is my 3rd pregnancy and in my first pregnancy i hadnt done any research and really didnt think about it and i did dye my hair with the over the counter stuff and the smell was so overwhelming!

Cheryl - posted on 05/21/2010

In past years, yes it was a big no-no to color or perm your hair. But now-a-days, there are safer products and with proper ventaliation, your stylist will know if what she uses is safe for you.

Just politely inform the lady that there are new products available that are safe for pregnant women. I'm sure at 37 weeks, you're familiar with people sticking their noses in and telling you things that are none of their business- or my favorite, just reaching over and patting your belly!!!

Teigan - posted on 05/21/2010

I say screw that woman, i know everyine is entitled to their own opinion but it is also exactly that your hormones are already all over the place without some crazy woman telling you you poisoning your child. I have a really great OBGYN and has been doing it for many many years and i asked him if its ok to dye or not, and he said quite simply if it makes you happy then do it. Pregnancy is hard enough so we need to make ourselves feel good. The other ladies are right some women unfortunately have major hormonal shifts that effect how they dye takes and it is best to use no ammonia products but other than that your fine. I was someone who is/was anal about having nice hair and i went to many hairdressers for their opinions and they all said it was ok including the pregnant hairdressers and yes there was more than one!!

Best of luck to you. its ultimately your decision but our bodies/emotions and hormones are going through sooooo much YOU JUST DO WHATEVER MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!!!!xoxoxoxoxo

Kalee - posted on 05/21/2010

My stylist uses really good product, most of which is amonia free. She is now pregnant too, so she really can't stand the smell of the amonia products - it makes her sick. And this past time that she put the purple in the underlayer, it seemed to almost fall out within a week. Which is strange b/c it's been purple for well over a year now. She did warn me that my hormones can make that happen.



I guess that woman in the grocery just really freaked me out. She just made a huge spectale of pregnant me and my dyed hair. So now I'm concerned.



But my hair looks terrible and really needs a color soon! I know it's vain but I don't want to look any worse in the pics from when baby is born! lol

Chelle - posted on 05/21/2010

i think its ok to do but you should only really use the no amonia haier dyes because of the fumes. sayin that i dyed my hair once or twice in my 1st pregnancy and used hair dyes with amonia in them and my baby was fine.



i do know that because of your hormones or somethin like that, when you dye your hair you risk it coming out the wrong colour so some hair stylists wont dye preggos hair. my sister dyed her hair "brown" but it came out orange last time she was pregnant. and with this pregnancy i tried to dye my roots black because they were showing through but the hair dye didnt take at all !



its sort of the same situation as painting rooms while your pregnant....some people would advise againt it because of the smelly fumes but others would say your fine....but like i said you can get no-amonia hair dye wich isnt stinky at all