Dyeing hair during pregnancy

[anonMum2]

When's the best time to colour your hair during pregnancy? I think I read something about which trimester would be best but just can't remember.

After the first trimester should be ok..

In the third i can't get down over the bath

I asked my GP if it was okay at 6 weeks - she said fine but I waited until 14 weeks just in case. Did it again last week at 24 weeks, probably for the last time as, like nagoo, I found bending over the bath rather uncomfortable!

anything after 12 weeks and thats being on the safe side, there is no evidence that prior to 12 weeks has any adverse effect

That's great. Thank you.

I'll definitely wait till then. I'm sure I read the same thing i.e. avoid it early on. But I also remember reading something about not doing it late on... second trimester it is then!

You have me worried now. I am 8+2 and off to the hairdresser to have my hair put back to my natural colour so I don't have to dye it lots while pg. I have massive roots already. Is there really any evidence to say its not safe?

I am not PG but have always wondered - what is the problem with dying hair whilst PG?

I have heavily highlighted hair (to cover my grey) and did a lot of research when I was pregnant. And I found out there is no proof that there is any danger in colouring hair during pregnancy. Although they say if you have it coloured having highlights/lowlights using foils reduces the amount of dye that comes into contact with the scalp. I waited until after I was 12 weeks and continued having it done throughout my pregnancy and my DD is fine.

No there's no evidence whatsoever and no reason to think being after 12 weeks is any better than before. It's just superstition based on some imagined theory that you could absorb some chemicals and they would somehow get to the baby (and even then doing what? As they're clearly not affecting all the people who must be absorbing them (if there was anything to this theory) who dye their hair all the time..)
It's as nuts as people not wearing nail varnish and fake tan when pg. IMHO.

aye, go ahead and colour your hair, afaik tis an old wives tale all designed to make pregnant women look as shit as they feel

With you Privet - more rubbish pregnant women are scared in to avioding for no reason whatsoever - just get on and colour it if you feel like it.

Thanks PD and Havetowearheels - voices of sense . I am fed up with being blonde now anyway so am going back to brown wih a few hightlights. I need to cheer myself up anyway.

My imagination is working overtime - babies being born with a full head of highlights - excellent!

I've bleached mine and put red on it. I'm 30 + 2. Hope baby doesn't come out postbox red hehe

Just to concur with Privet (I work in the area of research into risk and pregnancy and get to talk to scientists about stuff like this)that there is no evidence to suggest that there are any risks to the foetus,whether you colour you hair before or after 12 weeks. The only anecdotal evidence I've heard is that it might not 'take' as well, but never had that problem myself in my pregnancies. The only research paper that drew a tentative warning was published in the 1970s when they included a certain chemical found in shop bought black hair dyes that have since been banned. So yes, get it done

This is interesting as my hairdresser won't colour my hair at all while i'm pregnant. I am dark blonde but dye my hair chocolate brown, and it has been steadily lightening throughout my pregnancy. I am 37+1 and desperate to have it sorted out- it looks awful!

Based on your comments above it sounds like she's being over cautious so i'll book myself an appointment elsewhere i think!!!

I continued to dye my hair all through my pregnancy. DD is just fine. I'm pretty certain I read something recently that said modern hair dyes don't contain all the nasty chemicals that they once did and that they are now safe to use in pregnancy. If they weren't, would they not be obliged to say so on the packaging?

Palace could it be that your hairdresser won't colour because of the possible unpreditable effect on your hair, as some say, with dye during pregnancy rather than safety concerns? (Maybe based on a past experience?). I think I may well try another salon! (or suggest she does a strand/patch test first?

No she said it's due to the chemicals in the dye not the effect on the colour itself. She won't do anyones hair while they're pregnant, dye, highlights, anything.

I'm looking for an appointment as we speak- could do with a little pampering!!! I may just have to have a facial at the same time...

LOL gingerkirsty !!!

Darn it, just gone "blonde" last month - and this month a surprise pregnancy.... so now I can't do my roots?!

I am going to look hideous then.

Yes,you can do your roots!
Palace think I might try another salon if I were you!

Last night i put some highlights through my hair with one of those home hightlighting kits only done the top section the parting didnt even use all the dye, hope this is also ok to use. any ideas? 20 + 2 weeks pregnant?

Ooh how refreshing to have so many people agreeing with me