To Dye or Not to Dye ? My Hair !

I colored my hair at home with both of my pregnancies and didn't have any problems with wither one. I know I was nervous the first time I did it with my first son, but had no problems when I did it.

Being a hair stylist, I have colored pregnant womens hair and colored my own hair pregnant. I personally believe it is an old wives tale. Back in the day, color was alot different, harsher, not as predictable, hence the crazy color. Going back to your natural hair color, you and the baby will be just fine. if there is a problem with the way the color turns out, I would be apt to blame the stylist for using the wrong color on such light hair going darker. (the wrong undertone can produce an unwanted color)

Go for it! I'm a hairstylist and have never see a problem ;-) The smell might bother u but that's about it. Good luck-A.

I work closely with a few stylists - and from what they've told me...don't do an at home kit...those are not dependable, and if your hair turns an outrageous color, you'll spend more to fix it at a salon than if you had it done in one in the first place (if it happens while you're at a salon - 99% of them will fix it at no extra cost). I know that when your hormones are changing your hair is affected - I had mine permed once and a whole section wouldn't take because I was menstrating at the time...(the salon fixed it for me, but still)...

Hi R.,

I asked my doctor about dying my hair when I was pregnant with my daughter and he said that it was ok. I stated that the only harm is inhaling the chemicals in the process. If you choose to go with it, make sure that you are in a well ventilated area and you get fresh air. Try not to inhale so much of the chemicals. You could even think about where a painter's mask.

Hope this helps.

Another thing to consider is the fumes. I was so sensitive to strong smells while I was pregnant that there's no way I could've sat in a salon to have my hair colored. I did end up using a kit at home but only to get back to my 'natural' color and then waited til after delivering. My thought was that I could better ventilate at home, rather than sitting in the fumes of hair color, perms, nail polish, etc. in a salon.

Everyone I talked to (my Dr, my hairstylist, etc.) said it was fine but you just never know.

Everything I read said to play it safe by not doing any dyeing - but I've known people who have. There was nothing concrete either way to prove whether or not dyes effected the baby. I believe, some salons now have dyes that are pregnancy safe. Perhaps you can find a salon that has it.

Congrats on your pregnancy :O)
Dying your hair is not going to harm your baby. I've had several stylists confirm that you would have to use ungodly amounts of dye for it to affect them. As far as how it might take, that is a very individual thing. My hair took color just fine, but I have heard stories of people like your mother who's didn't. You could do a strand test first in an inconspicuous place to be sure.
Good luck!

There is some speculation that hair dye can be a cause of Lupus. While I *have* dyed my hair, I would never do it while pregnant, at least not with traditional dyes. If you live near a Meijer, they have some "natural" hair dyes. I have not personally used them, but you could research the brands and ingredients online before using.

I always err on the side of caution. Chemicals scare me- too many kids with health issues, allergies, aspergers, etc these days for me to take chances w/things that ARE in my control.

M.

I personally would never risk it - dye is toxic however you flip it. When you're preggo its just more of a risk -- now you're talking about a rapidly growing fetus. Everything they are affected by is way more cause their cells are dividing like crazy. Good luck with your pregnancy and feel good.

As long as you are out of your first trimester you should be fine. I dyed my hair with my first pregnancy and got an orange spot but little did I know that I was pregnant when I had it done then I realized that is what caused it. With my second pregnancy I waited till my first trimester was over and then I was fine I had no problems. You should be fine.

Hi R..
Congrats on your pregnancy! I am also pregnant, and while I'm sure it's safer now days, I am still nervous to do it. I have not colored my hair in 7 months! Fortunately i have dark hair, so when my highlights grew out, I did not have noticeable roots. I think it's a personal choice, but I agree with the PP that I would NOT do it myself. Have a trained colorist/stylist do it.
The way I look at it, not only do I have the excitement of my new baby soon, I will get to receive a whole new look!

I think officially it is OK after the first trimester, but if you are concerned, maybe use henna or some other natural-type dye.

I would not do it am home, first of all. I would see a professional colorist and have them do a color correction with foil. You can ask for darker low lights or highlights, especially on the hairline where you would mostly see roots. That is, if you don't feel totally safe with applying the dye to your scalp. I am now pregnant too and was scared to dye it completely, so i just go with highlight/low lights combe with the foil. I have a friend that has worked in an upscale professional salon downtown that now has a few seats in her basement and does all color as well as cuts on the south side. Her prices compare to no one, if you would like a recommendation, send me a message!

I dyed my hair during both my pregnancies. I did use an at home brand rather than going to the salon for the stronger version. It came out the same color that it always did and didn't hurt either child. I had asked my doctor before I did it and he told me just make sure to do it in a well ventilated area so you aren't breathing as much of the fumes but it would be fine.

Sometimes hair textures change during pregnancy, changing the way it will take a color, thus your mom's "purple" hair. Sometimes volume changes too (some women have thick hair, some thin) which can also change the look drastically in some cases. Also, there is concern about chemicals coming that close in contact with your skin, as anything placed on the skin (good or bad) is absorbed into your system and can affect the developing fetus. For this reason, some women opt to use "safer" hair colorings such as henna or go for highlights instead of overall color since highlight chemicals are not placed directly on the scalp.

Also, remember that a few weeks to months after pregnancy, the hormone changes can cause a lot of drastic hair loss, so you may end up having to simply "start over" again anyway.

I highlighted my hair during my entire pregnancy and loved it! The pregnancy hormones made my hair thick, full and it grew really fast. Feel good about your pregnancy induced beauty!

-S.

p.s. I checked with my ob at the time, there was no documentation on birth defects and hair coloring.

Congrats on your pregnancy! During my first pregnancy (my daughter is now 1 1/2) I had my hair highlighted at the salon twice and my daughter is okay. I felt really guilty though and hated all the chemicals.
If you want less chemicals you could try some more natural hair colorants. There's a brand called "Herbatint" that doesn't have ammonia or parabens in it, I used it for the first time two days ago and it barely smelled like anything at all (no chemical smell). There are some other alternative brands also. I bought mine at a store called Organica in Schaumburg. Good Luck!