7 Best Pregnancy Safe Hair Dyes

Table Of Content

• Is there any risk with inhaling fumes or chemicals while dyeing your hair that could be harmful to a pregnancy?
• Is It Safe to Dye Your Hair While Pregnant?
• How we chose the best pregnancy-safe hair dyes
• Is it safe to dye your hair during pregnancy?
• Can You Dye Your Hair While Pregnant?
• Pregnancy Calculator

Reviewers raved that this hair dye — which is available in 36 shades — left their hair feeling soft and moisturized, but noted there was no plastic container or applicator included for stirring the color. However, colors might set darker than expected, so it might not be the best brand if you want to lighten up your hair color. But you should still take precautions to minimize the risk of causing harm to your baby. Many hair dyes contain chemicals, so you might be worried you’ll expose your baby to toxins.

Is there any risk with inhaling fumes or chemicals while dyeing your hair that could be harmful to a pregnancy?

You should be able to feel and look your best during pregnancy, Simpson says. If you opt to have your hair straightened during your pregnancy, Dr. Zanotti recommends doing some homework ahead of your appointment.

Is It Safe to Dye Your Hair While Pregnant?

Skin Changes and Safety Profile of Topical Products During Pregnancy. The things to avoid when you’re pregnant and dyeing your hair are the same precautions that you’d take when coloring your hair at any other time. Make sure to color your hair in a well-ventilated area to minimize the risk of inhaling chemical fumes. Don’t leave the chemicals on your hair longer than the package indicates. Wear gloves when applying the treatment, and make sure to thoroughly rinse the color from your scalp after the process is complete. For cosmetologists, the risks during pregnancy come from the amount of exposure to hair treatment chemicals, which is affected by the number of hours worked, as well as, working conditions.

How we chose the best pregnancy-safe hair dyes

Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. We made our selections for the best pregnancy-safe hair dye by looking for products that are plant-based and/or organic and free of certain ingredients as outlined in the guidance above. We also consulted What to Expect community and user reviews to make sure we were picking the best of the best. Studies on animals show that high doses of these chemicals do not cause serious birth defects. Also, only a small amount of chemicals from hair dye is absorbed through the scalp.

Make sure to read the labels when you’re choosing the henna — some formulas have chemicals added, so look for the pure henna variations. Depending on which treatment you use, you may wish to consult your doctor. However, there are a few ways to keep the chemical exposure to a minimum while pregnant. If you ignore or misuse the hair dye, it can lead to complications that you could otherwise avoid.

There aren't any conclusive studies about how safe the chemicals used in perms are during pregnancy, but the body absorbs very little of those chemicals. To be extra cautious, you can wait to color your hair until your second trimester, after the critical stages of your baby's organ development are complete. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans.

These formulas may feel like a safer-for-pregnancy hair dye option. Made with plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, walnut, and rhubarb, you can rest easy knowing the Herbatint hair color is a true synergy between nature and technology. Its unique formula blends organic extracts designed to protect and enhance colors as well as nourish and protect your hair and scalp.

Can You Dye Your Hair While Pregnant?

That being said, infected or irritated skin can lead to more chemicals being absorbed as well as if there’s a break in the skin. Still, more research needs to be done to conclude that there are no adverse effects caused by coloring hair during pregnancy, making it important to take precautions. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), previous animal studies have found that high doses of the chemicals used in hair dye don’t cause any serious birth defects. Plus, only a small amount of these chemicals are actually absorbed into the scalp. Studies have shown no increased risk for miscarriage, preterm birth, or birth defects among pregnant women who work in hair salons. When you schedule a single process color, like an all-over dye, or have your roots retouched on a regular basis, more dye or bleach is coming in contact with your scalp.

Pregnancy Calculator

Rather than dye your entire hair, ask your stylist about highlights, frosting, or streaking to avoid applying dye directly to your scalp or skin. You may not always feel good about yourself as your body goes through these changes. You won’t have control over all of the physical changes taking place. And during pregnancy, all those hours coloring and cutting hair can be even more exhausting. If you’re breastfeeding (chestfeeding), you need to watch what goes into your body.

Hair dye is generally safe during pregnancy, but there’s no harm in being cautious. If you’re concerned about potential harmful effects, choose gentler hair treatments to minimize your exposure to chemicals. Even though the chemicals in hair dye are likely safe, it's always better while pregnant to use plant-based dyes to minimize your risk of chemical exposure. Whether you choose to color your hair at home or a salon, do it in a well-ventilated area and follow all instructions on how to use hair dye properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, your skin only absorbs a limited amount of hair dye and other hair grooming and styling products, with these chemicals generally not posing a threat to a developing baby.

However, when it comes to hair dye, only a small amount of chemicals get absorbed through the scalp. This means that the risk of those chemicals entering your bloodstream and reaching your baby is minimal. For this reason, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that hair coloring during pregnancy is not toxic. He also advises holding off on coloring your hair during the first trimester if you’re unsure, as you’d want to steer clear of any harsh chemicals. The American Pregnancy Association agrees, stating that it’s best to wait until your second trimester to chemically treat your hair in any way. And because “bleach is one of the more aggressive hair color [products],” Colombini suggests you may want to consider skipping it until your little bundle arrives.

Hilary Duff Just Dyed Her Hair Blue Amid Pregnancy—But It's Not What You Think - Glamour

Hilary Duff Just Dyed Her Hair Blue Amid Pregnancy—But It's Not What You Think.

Posted: Sat, 20 Feb 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Health experts generally believe that it's fine to color your hair while breastfeeding because the amount of chemicals that could reach your breastmilk is likely insignificant. The data, published in 2022, suggests a relationship, but much more research needs to happen to define that relationship. In other words, scientists can’t say, based on the available information, that using hair straightening products actually increases your cancer risk.

A person can use natural box dyes in the same way they use chemical hair dye. If a person is using powdered henna, they will have to mix it with water to form a paste before application. A person can also reduce exposure to chemicals by highlighting their hair rather than dyeing it. Highlighting hair involves using a cap that covers the scalp, which can reduce the amount of dye that reaches a person’s skin. In addition, they suggest that a person may wish to wait until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is when the risk of chemicals harming the fetus is much lower.

Consult a healthcare provider on the safest plan for you and your baby. With a little research, you may discover a number of options for a new color or style. Before putting any kind of color or chemical treatment on your hair, though, make sure to bring the box or a list of the ingredients and an outline of the treatment process to your doctor for approval. If you still have concerns, wait to color or treat your hair until the second or third trimester or until after you’ve had your baby.

With all of those pregnancy hormones racing through your body, your hair may be growing faster than ever and may even have a different texture and color than you’re used to. Yes, you can dye your hair while you're pregnant — as long as you take certain precautions and mention your pregnancy to your stylist. Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that pregnancy, in itself, can naturally change the hair’s texture. Pregnancy may also cause your hair to react differently to perming or coloring. If this is the case, you may want to wait until after pregnancy to treat your hair. Pregnancy can be a time of joy, but it also brings many safety concerns.