Highlights in pregnancy?

[Nononon]

What's the latest official line on this? I usually have blonde highlights but haven't done since I became pregnant. I'm now 32 weeks so needless to say my roots are pretty bad. I have a friend who does my hair (qualified hairdresser) who says it's ok but I'm a bit of a worrier. Do lots of people just continue to have blonde highlights (which I presume must contain bleach) throughout pregnancy?

NHS guidelines say it's fine, see here: www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/949.aspx?CategoryID=54

I've had my hair coloured (full head) 3 times during my pregnancy. I did wait until I was past 12 weeks to go the first time, but that's mainly because I felt quite sick and didn't want to smell the chemicals. I'm now 38 weeks along and the baby doesn't seem to have suffered!

Worth mentioning that you might be more sensitive than usual (allergy-wise) so it would be a good idea to do a skin test. Some people report that the colour doesn't come out exactly as it normally does. I've had no problems with any of those things, though.

Its absolutely fine - as the 'highlight' doesn't actually touch your scalp there is no absorption thru the skin - the fumes might make you a bit queasy though so make sure the area is well ventilated. I'm 37 weeks and have had my hair done throughout

The official NHS line is that is perfectly acceptable however you might want to avoid during the first trimester.

Go for it...roots are horrible just when we are at our largest and anything that makes you feel better is always a plus!

I thought this post was going to be about favourite moments in pregnancy!

(Mine were telling my mum, DH feeling the baby kick during morning snuggles and the six weeks I had off work before the baby turned up, sitting on my swing seat and watching my tomatoes grow)

Hello, here is a patient information leaflet that summarises all of the available scienitific information about hair dye use in pregnancy. Hope this is helpful

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Hair-dye/

Thanks for the replies. Oh I don't know what to do - that leaflet worries me a bit LittlePeas with all the talk of cancer etc!

Hello, the cancer stuff was included because it is Google-able, so we wanted to talk people through what was out there. There is no good evidence at all that use is linked to cancer, its not something that I would personally worry about

I know its really hard to make these sorts of decisions when pregnant. I had my highlights done twice but waited until after the first trimester (even though there's no evidence of harm if its done earlier)

Even though there are not that many 'formal' studies on hair dye use in pregnancy, anecdoatally, huge numbers of women do it, the vast vast majority have normal pregnancy outcomes. :)

Thanks LittlePeas. I'm looking pretty horrendous so I'm sure I'll have it done. I'm 32 weeks now so baby is fully formed

Can't believe you made it that long! :)

Heya, this is along the same lines but what about Keratin treatments!? I bought one a few weeks ago as i am blessed with dry and frizzy hair and the keratin at home treatments are the only thing that has ever given me soft straight hair. But on the pack it says not enough tests have been done to say it is safe to use during pregnancy!?

As the old treatment i put on was over 4 months ago it is wearing off and my glorious frizzy hair is back with a vengeance. I am contemplating cutting it all off into a bob but then i am scared i might regret it.

I'm sorry, I have no idea about keratin treatments, I suspect there won't be any data yet as they haven't really been around that long.

That sort of wording is usually the manufacturer covering themselves and basically says 'its up to you whether you want to take a (probably very small) risk'

Yea that's what i thought littlepeas I might wait a few months (if i can last that long with this frizzy mess) and then maybe give it a go :D