Is Henna safe in pregnancy?

[WeeDot]

I use the normal (copper) henna powder which is just ground henna leaves, you mix to a paste with water and slap on your hair.

I thought it would be ok as there are no chemicals in it but someone told me that you shouldn't put any dye or stain on your hair during pregnancy (I don't know about her credentials as a hair dresser)

Anyone know if it is safe to use? I think she might be thinking of the darker henna paste which has PPD in it the same stuff they use for black hair dye which is usually pretty bad news but nothing like the stuff I usually use.

My hair is getting ridiculous now - need to do something

Well if you read in the NHS guide it does mention it's okay to use hair dye with chemicals in it, so I imagine a chemical free verison is just as fine. After a quick google search, I found this.

"Pure henna (Lawsonia inermis) ? a semipermanent vegetable dye that's been used for thousands of years ? is considered safe. The downside of henna: It's quite messy to use, has to be left on for a relatively long time, and imparts a red-orange hue that you may not like. Note that henna products that come in other colors or are fast-acting are not pure henna and may contain synthetic chemicals or potentially risky metallic compounds."

So it seems you'll be okay. Just double check your label and make sure it lists Henna as the only ingredient and happy hair dying! :)

I used henna from Lush on my hair when I was about 7 weeks (now 12+5) - it needs redoing now but I asked their advice when I bought it and they said it was fine to use. It's natural and made from vegetable extracts so as long as it's not the "black henna" you should be fine

I work at Lush, the henna there is fine to use during pregnancy because it only coats the hair.. it doesn't enter the hair follicle, therefore it doesn't enter the bloodstream. It's actually very good for your hair because it has a cocoa butter base, and doesn't have any metallic contents added. Just a little bit of lemon juice for shine

I used it during my pregnancy and it really helped with the fact my hair had gone quite dry. x

Thanks everyone

hippieshake I was wondering about that as I heard it only coated the hair aswell. Hairdressers don't seem to know much about henna

Ah thanks for this, always use lush henna though not since was pregnant and in dire need!

hippie hair is dead and anything that goes on it is quite separate from the blood stream. Any theoretical danger is from getting it on your scalp, inhaling fumes or swallowing it. But the danger is theoretical as that nhs site says. OP I think you'll be fine, though I am super paranoid and didn't dye in my first trimester.

Only use BAQ Henna. If the henna you buy proclaims to give you a variety of colours then it is not pure Henna. BAQ is totally safe.