When I am Pregnant, Can I Color My Hair?

Many girls want to stay beautiful even though they are about to become mothers, and many mothers-to-be have wondered, "Can I dye my hair during pregnancy?" This question plagues many expectant mothers, who want to be beautiful but don't want to harm their health or that of their child. But today, you can find the answer to this question that has been bothering you for a long time right here! We will answer all your questions about hair coloring and related issues during pregnancy. 

Dyeing your hair has become so commonplace now that many people have dyed their hair and it not only changes your image but also boosts your confidence. However, hair dyes contain many chemicals, and it is best to understand their health effects before using them. The Organization for Teratology Information Service (OTIS) is the most reliable source of information on the risks of substance exposure during pregnancy. According to OTIS, hair coloring during pregnancy is safe for the following reasons:

Little or no hair dye is absorbed by the scalp and enters the bloodstream, much less enough to reach the fetus. Pregnant animals exposed to hair dye showed no signs of reproductive damage. However, a study at the University of North Carolina found that maternal use of hair dye may increase the risk of neuroblastoma in offspring. Also surprising was that it was temporary hair dye, not permanent hair dye, that increased the risk of cancer development. Another study found that maternal exposure to hair dye while breastfeeding increased the risk of germ cell tumors in children, especially girls. However, another somewhat contradictory study showed no relationship between maternal hair dye use during pregnancy and the development of childhood tumors. Relevant conclusions require more studies with larger sample sizes and more classifications of mothers in different situations during pregnancy. If you want to dye your hair, it is best to consult your gynecologist before doing so. Also, consider the following points before dying your hair:

1. Consult your dermatologist to find out if there are any hair colors that are safe for pregnancy.

2. Consult with your gynecologist to find out if you should wait a few weeks before coloring your hair.

3. Ask if highlighting, ombre, and streak coloring would be safer than all-over coloring.

4. Check the label of the hair dye to see what chemicals are contained. If you are not sure which ones to avoid and which ones are safe, read the next section.

Here is a list of toxic chemicals in hair dyes that you must avoid.

1. Ammonia: It is a respiratory irritant and can cause hormonal imbalances.

2. P-phenylenediamine：It is toxic to the liver, causes birth defects, and irritates the skin.

3. Coal tar: It is a carcinogen (cancer causing) and may cause eye injuries.

4. Toluene: This neurotoxin may terminate pregnancies, cause birth defects, or allergic reactions.

5. Resorcinol: It is a neurotoxin and causes hormonal imbalance.

6. Other chemicals: peroxides, methylisothiazolinone, DMDM hydantoin, and fragrances.

Avoid using hair dyes that contain these toxic chemicals. Go for hair dyes that are made from natural ingredients and are tested for heavy metals. There are natural hair dyes that you can try at home, and they all go on well and are also healthy.

How to dye your hair naturally during pregnancy?

Gynostemma: This natural dye is prepared by crushing the leaves of the gynostemma plant. Henna powder is readily available in any Indian or Middle Eastern store. If your hair is dry, add a little coconut oil. Mix henna powder with tea and lemon juice. Apply it to your hair and rinse it out after 60 minutes. You'll have a red-orange or fuchsia hair color.

Note: If you have blonde hair, using this method may turn your hair a bright orange color.

Henna: Henna can give your hair a subtle red tint that comes alive when you are in the sun. Beetroot has antioxidant properties that help prevent premature graying of your hair. If you want more of an orange hue, try carrot juice. You can also customize your hair dye by mixing the two juices. Apply this pure plant dye to your hair and wash it out after 60 minutes with a shampoo that is safe for pregnant women.

Tea: A concentrated tea decoction can help darken your hair and cover up gray. According to the information, black tea has been shown to have almost the same compounds as henna. Chamomile tea, on the other hand, has a bleaching effect that may lighten your hair if you sit in the sun after using it.

Coffee: If you want to darken your hair or add some color depth, coffee is a good way to do it. Mix a cup of strong espresso, leave-in conditioner, and coffee grounds together and wash it out after 60 minutes. You will find it works wonders for adding color to your hair.

Lemon juice：Adding some highlights to your hair as accents can transform your hair to a great extent. The easiest way to do this is to use lemon juice as a highlighter, especially to achieve a golden hue (6). Applying freshly squeezed lemon juice to thin slices of hair and leaving it on for a few hours will brighten your hair and give you the look of a pick and color.

Take the following precautions before using natural hair dyes or coloring your hair at home with natural ingredients:

• Check the label of the hair dye to see if it contains harmful chemicals.
• Wear gloves before dying your hair.
• Apply petroleum jelly or olive oil to your hands, neck, and forehead to prevent the hair dye from getting on your skin.
• Apply hair color in a more open space.
• Rinse hair thoroughly with a color-safe shampoo, then use a conditioner.

Research has produced very different results regarding the effects of temporary and permanent dyes during pregnancy. Therefore, if you want to know if you can color your hair during pregnancy, it is best to consult your gynecologist. But remember, do not use dyes that contain toxic chemicals such as resorcinol, toluene, and ammonia. These chemicals may affect the health of your fetus and cause birth defects. You can also talk to your gynecologist to find out the best hair color you can use that is safe for pregnancy.  And there's a safer way you can get yourself a favorite wig! You can find wigs of all styles and colors at Donmily, so if you want, then come and shop!