Hair dye - safe to use?

[NQWWW]

I've been avoiding colouring my hair since ttc as I seem to remember hearing that hair dye contains toxins which are absorbed into the body through the scalp. I'm now 13 weeks pg and the level of greyness is really getting to me. Does anyone know whether hair dye does harm the foetus, and if so, can anyone suggest any alternative products I could use?

Crumbs I dyed my hair a couple of weeks ago (now 17weeks). Never really thought about it but there weren't any warnings on the packet. I mean if you follow that logic what about deodorant or shampoo etc. Maybe I'll have a red-head this time then!

I have very grey hair and dyed my hair from 3 months. I did avoid it for the first 3 months just to be on the safe side and I looked like a bag lady (apologies if there are any bag ladies on the board). If possible use natural dyes eg henna (but I used a low ammonia perm dye as I am so grey henna didn't work). You can also get organic dyes - the only place I have seen them is in the Organic Coffee Shop/Deli in Brackenbury Village, Hammersmith.

Just to make matters worse by the way, your hair will soon start to grow VERY quickly - I ended up dying mine about every 3 to 4 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks.

Oh well, good luck!

I have to admit I coloured my hair throughout both my pregnancies, as the amount of grey starting to show really got me down. I used semi-permanents which I hoped wouldn't be quite so harmful. I also rang the hair colour company's advice line, who told me it was safe. I know there has been a lot of stuff about this as to whether you should or not. I also asked my midwife, who said she thought it was fine. I think there are some vegetable based dyes - Aveda? rings a bell, although I have never tried them or seen them in the shops.

There was a thread here more than a year ago discussing the very same topic. Everyone who contributed said they thought it was O.K. It would seem that lots of pregnant women colour their hair to no apparent ill effect, myself included (both pregnancies). And some pregnant women are colourists and have to be around the stuff all day!

My hairdresser said that its only during the first trimester, when hormones are at their peak that you shouldn't use chemicals on your hair. After that its fine apparantly. I had my roots done at 13 weeks.

Thanks for all your comments - I think I'll do it tonight.