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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hair dye in pregnancy, does anyone get theirs done?

36 replies

Chequers · 11/05/2008 14:47

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MamaG · 11/05/2008 14:48

my mate dyed her hair while pg. Instead of glossy chestnut brown she ended up bright ginger

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Chequers · 11/05/2008 14:49

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Chequers · 11/05/2008 14:50

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FrannyandZooey · 11/05/2008 14:50

highlights yes, otherwise I would probably say no. I think the dark colours are meant to be the worst or perhaps I have made that up...

you could try aveda salon and see if they have anything safer than usual?

splodgesmum · 11/05/2008 14:54

I've been having mine done or I look like an old granny (very prematurely grey!) and was told by my hairdresser and my consultant that it's a total old wives' tale that their is any danger to the baby

ask your MW just to be sure, but i would say no problem at all

ScienceTeacher · 11/05/2008 14:56

I don't think hair dyes can penetrate the skin.

Original poster

Chequers · 11/05/2008 15:09

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Diege · 11/05/2008 15:52

Chequers, I work with medical people and the consensus from a scientific point of view seems to be that it is safe. There is one research study that was done on rats who were coated in the stuff, all-over, after fur had been shaved off (nice), several times a day, for 6 weeks. One of the sample produced young with a kidney problem. No studies have been done on pregnant women for obvious ethical reasons. There is no evidence however of adverse outcomes for pregnant women and their babies if women have dyed hair in pregnancy, even during first trimester (and all-over perm' colour, not just highlights that don't even touch the scalp).
The only 'negative' as others have mentioned is the hair may react differently to the colour in pregnancy. I dyed in all 3 pregnancies, every 3 weeks from BFP and never had a problem, but my hairdresser always carried out a strand test just in case.
For what it's worth, I think you will be gagging to sit in a salon chair for 3 hours with mags and coffees brought to you after your baby is born

southernbelle77 · 11/05/2008 16:04

I am desperate to get my hair done as I'm seriously starting to look like a skunk with the grey hairs at the front! I've been very unsure whether to do it or not as I'm only 7.5 weeks pregnant and paranoid about doing anything to harm the baby and as I usually do it myself it would undoubtedly go on my scalp!

lulu1414 · 11/05/2008 17:02

I asked my doctor and was told absolutely fine. Also asked midwife and she said absolutely fine. Also asked hairdressers and they said absolutely fine. The latter said just to be aware that it can sometimes take differently because of hormones and sometimes not take at all. I have done mine twice now using home dye kits.

southernbelle77 · 11/05/2008 17:31

That's good to know lulu! I unexpectedly have the morning off tomorrow so I might just bite the bullet and do mine then!

Cammelia · 11/05/2008 17:34

Hair dye chemicals can be absorbed through skin I believe.

Any way I didn't do it while I was pg, I let it all grow out.

Diege · 11/05/2008 17:56

Cammelia's right, they are absorbed (as are face creams etc), but in such minute amounts that aren't though to be harmful to the developing foetus

WideWebWitch · 11/05/2008 18:06

Well I dyed mine in pregnancy both times (1997 and 2003) if it's any help. In 1997 certainly no-one was concerned about it. At hairdressers, not at home.

vicsta · 11/05/2008 18:07

Have dyed my hair at home all the way through after general consensus from MW & Gp was that it was fine. Even better I suppose, if you have it done in a salon as I expect its a much neater job. I'm usually covered in the stuff! That said, I have noticed my hair is much more dry and damages easily so I'm off for a drastic haircut this week before baby arrives. If it makes you feel better (it certainly does for me) do it.

ScienceTeacher · 11/05/2008 19:48

Face creams aren't absorbed all the way through the skin.

Leenie · 11/05/2008 20:24

definately ok, the only issue is the condition of ur hair during pregnancy, some people get glossy well conditioned hair whilst some get really dry, brittle and even have hair loss...there is no risk of the chemical going through your skin to ur baby, but be careful if you hair has gone dry, .... I have home coloured, and permed my hair at home during april (2 wks apart), and after both my hair is still in good condition, i am also prematurely quite grey, and was no longer in the mood for sitting every morning, trying to tame my wavy thick hair with straighteners, lol... the thought of giving birth lookikg like a skunk {brown hair with snow white roots) that would probably be about 3 or 4 inches long if i waited 9 mths to colour was a scary one .. so after going into literally every hairdresser where i live for advise, it was confirmed that it really is an old wives tale !!

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Chequers · 11/05/2008 21:43

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fishie · 11/05/2008 21:47

organic hair dye just means that it is produced organically, not that it isn't wildly poisonous.

i dyed my hair, painted my nails wore face cream and even drank (gasp) tea when pg. i also breathed in london air which must be far worse.

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Chequers · 11/05/2008 21:51

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poppy34 · 11/05/2008 21:55

think franny is right.. I read somethhing about the dark dyes being right as there is something about whatever is in them being carcenogenic.But that said I am not sure if there has ever been anything conclusive on it (sounds like Diege knows more than I do). MW said fine to do highlights after first trimester.

that said I'm leaving it alone mainly as last time I went to get haircut the new colourist made some comment about me showing grey - as well as some other things about updating my style which I'm sure were meant to be helfpul but were actually quite offensive. This was despite fact I was obviously pregnant and said I was being careful about not dyeing as was super cautious in pregnancy. There is not a hope in hell I'd pay her to do my hair (my normal stylist is lovely and completely sweet but doesn't do colour).

poppy34 · 11/05/2008 21:56

sorry didnt meant to hijack thread... but reminded me of my rant

Diege · 11/05/2008 22:16

Just to put your mind at rest, the ( albeit inconclusive) carcinogenic link relates to pre-1980s hair dyes that contained nitrate preservatives (trethanolamine?)that were banned in 1980. Studies suggest a slight increase in occurances of lymphatic cancers in those working with dyes (eg. haridressers)before this time, so you should be fine!!
Poppy, that hairdresser sounds appalling!!You were right to step away...the hand that holds the scissors and all that....
Chequers, dentist rather than hairdressersa!!! . Good strategy with dh - they never notice when you've had your hair done anyway!!

poppy34 · 11/05/2008 22:19

pre 1980s hair dye? have they done any studies on the effects of grecian 2000 as I'm pretty sure that formula hasnt changed since the 70s (or is that just the advertising formula)

Diege · 11/05/2008 22:28

Can't say I know, but thought grecian 2000 was a colour restorer rather than a hair dye?? Agree, marketing still looks pre-80s...dodgy chemicals in the study are now illegal though, so don't think they'd take the chance, though I doubt if they were ever in it.

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