Hair dye for pregnant women

If this question makes you frown, I apologise.


I've been having grey hair since I was 12, so you can probably appreciate my monthly hair dyeing ritual at home as an adult. The trouble is, I am now 7 weeks pregnant. Apparently the 1st trimester is critical for the development of a baby's key organs. Altho I have read that hair dye does not harm one's fetus, I am not without my reservations. What if it does harm by baby, I will be sorry for the rest of my life .......


At the same time tho I don't want to be seen like a granny with a big belly either. What should I do? I am due for another dye and I am embarrassed/ self-conscious when someone stands behind me when I'm sitting down - they can see my grey roots growing out. Grrrrrrrr! HELP!

Aussie i know how you feel. Why not ask your doctor what he/she thinks. Plenty of doctors seem to tell their patients it's fine.


I have gone 15 weeks without a colour, went for my 15 week apointment checked with the doctor and he said he would prefer that I didn't. I had been so sure he would say no problem that I already had the appointment booked for that afternooon. So now I am stuck, desperately looking for a natural product otherwise I will have to just go with grey hair and a big belly.

Hi Aussierules. I can understand your concern as I feel the same way and worry about colour treatments. I found that the babycentre.com.au website was helpful with my questions on these sorts of things (they have a "is it safe to ... when I am pregnant" section). Below is what they have to say on hair dye and perms. For what it is worth, I had been told by my hairdresser that it should be ok if they leave a gap between the roots/scalp when applying the colour - also it might be better to go with streaks rather than a semi-permanent/permanent. Still - it is a good idea to speak with your doctor. Good luck with your decision:


"No one has enough information to promise with certainty that using chemical dyes during pregnancy is completely safe, so many pregnant women wait until after the first trimester. At the same time, no one has any human data to show these chemicals cause birth defects.


Over the years, people have conducted animal studies trying to shed light on this matter. Some, but not all, studies have shown a few of the chemical compounds in hair dyes to be teratogenic (causing birth defects). However, in many cases the animals were exposed to extremely high doses of these chemicals, doses in no way equivalent to the exposure of the woman who colours her hair every month or two.


Clearly, the chemicals in both permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. These chemicals have been around a long time, and no research shows they cause defects in newborns, so colouring your hair during pregnancy is probably safe. Plus, if you apply the dyes safely (using gloves in a well-ventilated room, and not leaving solutions on for excessive periods of time), you don't really absorb much of the chemicals into your system.


One alternative you might consider is highlighting, painting, or frosting your hair. You absorb hair colouring agents into your system through your skin (scalp), not through your hair shaft. So, any process - such as streaking - that puts less of the chemical in contact with your scalp reduces your exposure to the compounds in dyes.


Some experts recommend vegetable dyes as a good alternative to synthetic chemical agents during pregnancy. Many of these dyes also contain some of the same synthetic chemical compounds that the major cosmetic companies put in their permanent and semi-permanent dyes. Pure henna, which comes in a number of colours, is the exception. Henna is a semi-permanent vegetable dye considered to be very safe, though not everyone loves the hues it may impart!


It's important for women to feel good about themselves during pregnancy. Whether colouring your hair will make you feel good or cause you to worry needlessly for nine months is something to think about. If you do colour your own hair while expecting, wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space to minimise your exposure to the harsh chemicals used in the colouring process."

You can get hair dyes that supposedly have less 'bad' chemical at 360 in the Landmark building. I haven't checked the details on the packs but it could be worth looking at maybe?

Hi Aussierules,


I have the same grey hair problem as you (since I was 12 years old too). I got married for 2 years now and planned to have a baby sometime this year. But the only drawback on me now is my grey hair - I also do not want to be seen like a granny walking around!


So what is your remedy? Did you color your hair?


I thought of using henna but don't know where to get those stuff. Beside, also afraid that if those "safe" ingredients printed on the tubes are without any hidden content.


Also, I even thought of getting a wig for the 9-11 months (plus confinment period). But again I can't face my relatives and friends. People nowadays are very sharp and it may seem funny for a pregnant woman to wear a wig in such a hot day!


Please share with me on what did you do with your grey hair.

hi bb1234,


Sounds like a lot of us are in the same dilema,but as others like SB2 ,Aussierules mentioned there has not been enough research done to suggest that it is bad for you,infact all websites and books say the same thing that hair dyes are not considered harmful to your growing fetus.


But,having said that i know i am still in a connundrum whether to actually do it or not.My accupunturist at Integrated Medicine Institute on Stanley street ,Kailey tower,said that they sell natural organic hair dyes that i could buy and take to my hair dresser.


Haven't decided yet which i will be doing ,but like rose1234 mentioned it would be best to check with your doctor first before doing anything.Sorry,have'nt been of much help but am in the situation as you ; - )

LC

I broke down and dyed mine at 13 weeks. It looks great, though I think the colour absorbed more than usual.

I got amonia-free 5 minue FAST dye. I think it's revlon. Got it in HK at Watsons for about $35.

I heard the first trimester is when NOT to do it.

Dear Jallore,


I understand how do you feel without dye.


My friend from NZ sent me natural henna to subsitute chemical dye and it works!! Pure henna is toxic free and it's safe to use.


my hair color is black so I have to mix the henna with indigo in order to achieve the "black" effect.

Hi Aussie, I can understand your concern.

May be I can give u some suggestion about. First, Henna is one of your choice. But that is not much choices of colour. only BLACK can cover your grey hair. Does it too dark for u??? Second, u also can go for colour your hair. Just ask your hairdresser can he apply the colour on your hair as close as without touching your scalp. if he can make it then u can do it as offen as u like. Of cause after the colour it will look like it been done for a week ago. but I thing that is better then nothing!! "if your hairdresser can do it for u coz that is not easy for everone". Or u can go for a Lowlight to tone down your grey coz usually the colour didn't apply on your scaple at that way.