For some it’s a firm no, others advise against it, while others may approve. You can never be too careful when you’re expecting a baby, but for some women not colouring their grey hair is too much to bear.
Dyeing your hair during pregnancy is not a categorical no-no (we’ll see why later), the important thing is to make sure you use products which are free of toxic substances (such as ammonia, resorcinol and paraphenylenediamine), carry out a patch test first on a small area of your skin to make sure you do not have any allergic reactions...
It’s also certainly best to avoid dying your hair in the first trimester, which is the most delicate period of a pregnancy!
But we’ll talk more about this in the following paragraphs.
For now, it’s important to emphasise one thing: no one can take the place of your doctor, GP or midwife, so even for trivial matters, such as dyeing your hair, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from your healthcare professional about colouring your hair when pregnant.
Is it safe to dye your hair while pregnant – what are the risks?
It’s not simple to assess the risks of hair dye on unborn babies. While it’s true that since 2009 the composition of hair dyes in the European Union has been regulated by very thorough health standards, it’s also true that everything that touches a woman’s skin during pregnancy is absorbed and thus, crosses the placenta.
Most hair dye products on sale in British shops and hairdressers are generally safe for our health and during pregnancy.
However, there are products, imported from non-European countries where rules and regulations are less strict, which may indeed have a question mark from a safety perspective, therefore, be careful and ensure you choose a quality brand.
The problem with hair dyes is not only the toxicity of the ingredients, but also the allergic reactions they can cause in pregnant women, who tend to experience an increase in sensitivity during pregnancy.
It’s therefore advisable to use hair dye products which you have already used in the past, or if you’re using a new one, to test it first by applying some to a small area of your skin to check for signs of irritation before using.
Which hair dye is safe in pregnancy?
Highlights are risk-free as the hair dye does not come into contact with the scalp, the part of your body which absorbs the substance and where it enters your body. The same can be said of dyeing only the lengths or ends of your hair.
Can I get my hair bleached while pregnant? Bleaching, on the other hand, is not recommended as it contains chemical substances.
As for hair dyes, most products on the market today are generally considered good quality, just be careful not to use toxic substances.
It’s always best to check this by reading the list of ingredients and talking to your hairdresser about any special precautions you may need to take.
If your scalp is irritated or has lesions, now is not the time to dye your hair!
For do-it-yourself home dyeing, it’s essential you don’t keep it on for more than the amount of time indicated in the instructions, even if you’re using a natural product.
Henna hair dye pregnancy – can I use it to dye my hair?
Henna is generally considered safer as it’s natural and there are no contraindications for use during pregnancy.
Henna dye acts on the outermost part of the hair, without penetrating into the shaft. It is therefore less aggressive, as it is not permanent.
However, even when using henna, it’s still advisable to ensure you’re using a good quality product and that you pay attention to the ingredients on the label.
The pigment responsible for the red henna dye, lawsone, is toxic in certain quantities. The maximum concentration of lawsone in the dye should be 1.4%. The best brands comply with this indication, but there are still brands that produce the dye with higher concentrations of this substance.
How to cover grey hair during pregnancy?
A radical change in hair colour during pregnancy is one thing, but living with grey hair, which can cause some women discomfort, is quite another.
It’s always best to wait until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy to dye your hair, as this is the most fragile period. After that, if your doctor or midwife agrees, you can switch to natural hair dyes.
The decision whether to dye or not to dye your hair during pregnancy is a personal one. It’s to be made by assessing your needs - which differ from woman to woman – as well as the risks involved, which are minimal, especially if you choose the right products.
