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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Can / would you have your hair highlighted in first trimester?

18 replies

jwiggles · 08/04/2010 13:24

Hi, I am not sure if im supposed to, due to the chemicals used, and wasnt sure if I needed to wait until after 12 weeks, or if I was indeed allowed to have highlights at all while pregnant?!

I have had highlights for years and it really shows when my roots come through (been 10 weeks already since the last lot)
and im only 8 weeks pregnant so wasnt sure of protocol....

Thanks for any advice
jwiggles

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katgod · 08/04/2010 13:32

Not sure of precise rules as such - probably depends on your personal appetite for risk (some people will have odd glass of wine and continue to use 'normal' cosmetics, others will stop drinking and only use organic) but some hairdressers are wary asthe texture of hair can change meaning the results are unpredictable. expect there are hairdressers here who can help>

poppy34 · 08/04/2010 13:36

I asked this as paranoid when pregnant of midwife at zita west- she reckoned that risks (low) were with dyes that go darker but didn't think was an issue after first trimester. That said I think the risk is low
to minimal anyway ESP with highlights where dye isn't on your head .

The thing I would be wary of is smell( smell
of hair dye would have made me heave in first twelve weeks) and also as other poster said ghat skin
gets more sensitive when pregnant so maybe want a patch test.

poppy34 · 08/04/2010 13:39

And as for mepersonally I wouldn't risk it( didn't even use nail
varnish) but that was more put of fear than science as having had history of bad pregnancies my tolerance fr risk is minimal. Sorry was just answering your question(and and far as I know no other friend or acquaintance was like this as all had highlights ESP at end when wanted last trimester pick up).

skidoodly · 08/04/2010 13:43

I did.

I didn't realise I was pregnant.

I was worried for a while, then some friends told me I was being silly so I stopped.

I didn't want to freak myself out so didn't do any research about the risks.

So far no sign of DD2 being affected.

EldonAve · 08/04/2010 13:45

yes have done so in each pg
if done properly the chemicals don't touch your scalp

tanmu82 · 08/04/2010 13:57

I just had my hair relaxed (chemically straightened) and I am 10 + 2. Risk as far as I know is minimal to baby - I researched a lot before doing it in 1st trimester (in previuos pregnancies have relaxed my hair at later stages). I think the real issue is that your hair and scalp can react differently during pregnancy - I found that this time my hair didn't straighten so well and it irritated my scalp almost instantly.

Octaviapink · 08/04/2010 16:42

It's completely fine to have highlights.

mylittlemonkey · 08/04/2010 18:35

I had my hair highlighted throughout my pregnancy and as it grows so quickly and i am naturally dark and have golden highlights i had it done every 6 - 8 weeks.

I looked into it very carefully before getting it done when i was pregnant and there was no research i could find that said it would cause any harm to baby. I also asked my midwife who confirmed this and said she also highlighted her hair when she was pregnant

However, just to be doubly safe i told my hairdresser i was preggers and asked her to be careful not to get any dye on my scalp. Although, if you do do this be prepared to listen to pregnancy and labour horror stories for the next 2 hours if your hairdresser or her friends have kids!

Enjoy!

giagindi · 09/04/2010 00:42

A lot of places don't like to do it in the first trimester as there is a very small risk that the chemicals can get through the bloodstream to the placenta. However, 'modern' highlighting - i.e. using foils - doesn't touch the scalp anyway so the risks really are minimal.

To be really safe I would wait until the second trimester, and go somewhere like Aveda as their colours have fewer chemicals than many other brands!

Cosmosis · 09/04/2010 11:14

I didn't just becuase of timing, but it wouldn't have occurred to me not to. I think mine was done at about 13 weeks.

jaabaar · 09/04/2010 12:47

I asked the same question to my doctor. She said that highlights are better then full colouring as it doese not go so much on your head. However in the 12 weeks she recommended not to colour or highlight. But then again it depends on your taste of risk like mentioned earlier.

Also my doctor told me that if you go to the hairdressers when pregnant it is better to book the first appointment in the morning, as later on in the day there are more chemicals in the air.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

BikeRunSki · 09/04/2010 12:56

I aksed my hairdresser who was pg at the same tiem as me. She said it was OK and foil highlights doen't actually touch your scalp. WE both had blonde pregnancies and we both have fit and well toddlers.

PrivetDancer · 09/04/2010 13:09

Is there actually any evidence that even a full on dye on the scalp job can do any harm?

Or is it just another of those maybe / what if things that has just never been conclusively proven to be safe as it's not important enough to research it?

Original poster

jwiggles · 12/04/2010 12:56

Thanks for all your advice everyone... think i'll leave it until after my 12 week scan. I'll really need it by then, but it'll be an extra 'treat' as been so poorly until now...
Roll on 1st week of May!

OP posts:

SamanthaB123 · 13/04/2010 21:55

I had my hair highlighted at about 6 weeks. I couldn't find anything on the internet to say it wasn't safe - it is only a risk if the chemicals touch your scalp. I told the person who was doing my hair before she started and she used different products to those that she would normally use.

barrym · 13/04/2010 23:23

I thought the problem was more about the concern that you yourself could become allergic to the dye? So get a patch test if you are worried, but I think the probs are mainly down to the chemicals in darker dyes?
I would do it. I also use nail varnish

KatnKankles · 13/04/2010 23:36

Yes all the way through with all 4 pregnancies...

hellymelly · 13/04/2010 23:50

Well I didn't but if you have foil highlights or painted on highlights,and if they only use a lightening agent and not a dye (it is the compounds in dyes that are suspect)then I wouldn't worry.But as you are concerned why not wait? roots aren't that bad,touch up a few strands at the roots with jolene,(using an old mascara brush) ,that is only hydrogen peroxide,and fine to use when pregnant.

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