Would you use hair dye in pregnancy?

[llareggub]

I'm fed up of my dull hair. I'm 30 weeks pregnant, don't want to spend a fortune and thought about experimenting with one of those non-permanent hair dyes that wear out after 20 or so washes.

I've read the boxes at the supermarket and they don't specify that they aren't suitable in pregnancy, but my first thought before putting it in the trolley was that I should ask mumsnet.

Whaddya reckon?

My understanding is that generally dying hair in pregnancy is not recommended - NOT because it may cause harm to the baby, but because changes in your hair caused by being pg may mean that the dye does not take in the normal way. If it's a non-permanent one, and it does turn out green or something you would just have to wash your hair alot!

Don't dye my hair so I haven't done, but yes I wouldn't think twice about it if I were a hair dyer.

yes i did. but that semi-permanent stuff which has two bottles to mix together contains lightening agents. so even if it is darker than your own barnet it will be bleaching it
and when all your hair falls out post pg it will be like straw hooray.

how about a nice conditioning treatment and some sort of updo?

Yes - have done. Used vegetable dyes, and most recently a semi-permanent

Apparently there may be a small risk, or there may be hardly any risk, but either way since you're out of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy it's going to be very low. (not the most scientific website I know)

To minimise the risk wear the gloves they give you and try not to breathe the fumes, and/or consider having highlights with a cap thingy so the dye doesn't even touch your scalp.

To minimise the risk of your hair going weird (also very important) do a strand test as being pregnant changes the way your hair reacts.

ah go on, i'll recommend daniel field again like i always do on hairdye threads. i have got rather purple hair from the red brown though, so at your own risk.

I did use organic vegetable based home dyes throughout first pregnancy. A bit frustrating really as whatever colour they suggested on the packet always came out a dull reddish colour. So when I actually went into labour I bought a non-organic, non vegetable dye and turned my hair chocolate. The colour was still running when I got in the birthing pool. Midwife looked appalled.

This pregnancy I had half head of highlights in an organic salon when I was 14 or 15 weeks pregnant. Now 35 weeks and planning to get highlights done before due date.

Yes, I did my roots every 5-6 weeks. Shop bought stuff isn't as strong as hairdresser dye.

I might go for it then. [scared]

I've never, ever dyed my hair before!

If you have never dyed your hair before then do go for something which washes out.

Also, how pregnant did you say you are? Your skin colour may change through pregnancy and afterwards.

I found that after giving birth I was really anaemic and pale and the dark chocolate I had dyed my hair bleached me out even more. So this time I am going for golden highlights before I give birth.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant with number 2, and am, and have always been, on the blue side of white!

I'm not going to do anything too drastic, but definitely not something permanent!

What colour is your hair now?

If you're going for a semi-permanent that isn't too far away from your natural colour you should be fine, they aren't usually particularly fumey and are quite conditioning, so shouldn't turn it straw-like.

I dyed mine with semis all the way through pregnancy - I would have been a white-haired witch otherwise

Mouse coloured, with bits of white/grey although it isn't noticeable because it is very curly. In some lights it has a coppery tone, but generally it is mousey and dull.

oh dear god yes!!! Its the only thing that I loved doing when pg, my body was changing so my hair changed too!

Definitely go for the nice coppery tone that it takes on when sunbleached/in good light then. It will help you feel nice even though to are pregnant (and therefore an unusual shape).

If you can, try to get a friend/sister/whatever to help you do the dying, it's a nice fun thing to do and ti makes it easier to do the bits that you can't see.