Pregnant moms often worry about their appearance. The changes in the body make them conscious. As such, many try to find ways for them to still look their best. One way to do it is to color the hair. But is it not harmful to you or your baby? Can you dye your hair while pregnant? Continue reading to learn the answer.
Key Takeaways
- • Coloring your hair while you are pregnant is safe.
- • Most chemicals stay out of your body. They will not affect the baby in your womb.
- • Scalp openings and sensitive skin increase the risks.
- • Masks and gloves, as well as proper ventilation, help avoid overexposure, making you safer.
Can Pregnant Moms Dye Their Hair?
Coloring your hair while you are expecting is safe. According to medical experts, the skin does not absorb a lot of the chemicals found in hair dye. Most of the chemicals stay where you put them - in your hair. Therefore, the chances of them affecting your baby are very low.
Taking extra steps is never not a smart move when it's your baby's safety that is on the line. You may want to avoid coloring your hair during the first trimester. It is the stage where your baby experiences rapid development. Avoiding anything that could affect this growth is the best move.
Are Hair Dyes and Treatment Chemicals Harmful to Pregnant Women?
Yes. But please note that technically, the chemicals found in them can be dangerous. However, that is only in high doses. You can easily avoid that. Coloring your hair exposes you to only a very low amount of these chemicals. As such, they are not likely to cause harm.
What Precautions Should I Take When Chemically Treating My Hair?
As mentioned above, high dosage is the thing you should avoid. We recommend taking steps to minimize exposure to the chemicals. The things you can do include:
- Check the hair dye labels. Look for any allergenic ingredients. You can also do a patch test.
- Get your hair treated in a well-ventilated area. The air flowing means the chemicals will not be trapped in the room. That helps protect you from overexposure.
- Use gloves when dyeing your hair.
- Remove the chemicals from your hair as instructed in the packaging. Do not leave them on your hair for longer.
Which Hair Dyes Are Safe for Pregnancy?
Go with organic hair dyes. Vegetable or pure henna dyes are the safest options for you.
We also recommend checking the ingredients used to make the dye. See if it contains any chemicals that you should avoid. The list includes the following:
- Ammonia
- Heavy metals
- Resorcinol
- Phthalates
- Quaternium-15
6 Tips for Getting Your Hair Done While Pregnant
Suppose you want to get your hair done while you are pregnant. You need to take extra safety and comfort precautions.
- Wait for the second or third trimester before getting your hair done.
- Select safer treatments. To decrease scalp contact and exposure to chemicals, choose balayage or highlight styling.
- Keep the air fresh. Seat yourself close to a window or request that your stylist ensure the room is well ventilated.
- Always carry a mask. A salon uses strong-smelling products to reduce exposure; use a mask.
- Hydrate yourself and have some time off. From time to time, get up and stretch. You can also use the salon chair to relax.
Try to relax when you get home. Salon visits can leave you drained. Regaining your strength should be your top priority. If possible, use tools that can help make you comfortable.
A pregnancy pillow that offers full body support, for instance, helps a lot. If you are looking for one, the Momcozy Huggable - U Shaped Maternity Body Pillow is a great choice. It hugs your entire body. This ergonomic design provides exceptional comfort, pain relief, and quality rest.
Do you have an older child? You sometimes need to pick up toddlers. That is why a baby carrier is also a great product to get. When you carry a toddler without tools, you may experience shoulder, back, and arm strain. A baby carrier can help prevent that. Products like the Momcozy Move2Fit 2-in-1 Hip Seat Baby Carrier help reduce pressure on your body. This specific product also allows 6 carry positions, so you can pick one that feels most comfortable.
When Should Pregnant Women Avoid Coloring Their Hair?
Newly pregnant moms should avoid coloring their hair. Why? Because the baby in your womb is rapidly developing during the first three months. That said, not doing anything that is not essential is in your best interest.
You should also avoid coloring your hair if you have open cuts on your scalp. The same goes for moms who have a sensitive scalp or skin condition. Why? Because open cuts increase chemical absorption. Remember, coloring your hair is only safe because your body is not absorbing too many chemicals. That is no longer true in this scenario.
How Often Can You Color Your Hair While Pregnant?
You can color your hair up to 4 times while you are pregnant. That is as long as you are taking safety precautions. We still recommend limiting it to just once or twice. It helps significantly lower the risks.
What to Know About Dyeing Hair While Breastfeeding?
You can color your hair even if you are breastfeeding. The chemicals don't have an effect on the quality of your breast milk. Your baby will be safe as long as you do not put your hair in their mouth. This is important when you just dyed your hair. This ensures that your baby will not consume any harmful chemicals.
What If I Work as a Cosmetologist and Am Pregnant?
Exercise extra caution if you are a pregnant woman working as a cosmetologist. Salons are full of different chemicals. It significantly increases the risks. Follow these extra precautions below to protect your developing baby from harm:
- We recommend not doing any treatment without wearing a mask and gloves.
- Rooms should have open windows or fans to let the fumes out.
- Avoid physical contact with harsh chemicals.
- Talk to your colleagues if you can alternate work. This can help prevent long working hours.
- Always put away chemicals in safe places.
FAQs
Here are some FAQs other expecting moms ask when they want to color their hair.
1. What Is the Best Hair Color for Pregnant Women?
Any hair color can be the best hair color. What looks good on another woman may not look good on you. It really depends on your physical features.
2. Can You Get Highlights While Pregnant?
Yes, you can get highlights. In fact, it is also better than coloring your hair fully. It requires less hair dye, meaning you are using fewer chemicals. Doing so effectively lessens the risks.
3. Can You Bleach Your Hair While Pregnant?
Yes, you can bleach your hair. But keep in mind that bleaching releases more fumes than dyeing your hair. That is because bleach contains stronger chemicals. That said, wearing a mask is really important.
4. Can You Get Your Hair Done at a Salon While Pregnant?
Yes, you can still get your hair done at a salon. But be picky with which salon to visit. The building should have proper ventilation so that fumes
can leave the room. Plus, the salon should follow safety regulations. You should also wear a mask to reduce fume inhalation. If you can get home service, though, that would be better.
5. Is It Safest to Avoid Coloring the Root While Pregnant?
Technically, yes, since the root is close to your scalp. However, since the chemical absorption is not high, it does not matter most of the time. So, you can still color the root.
6. Can You Get Your Nails Done While Pregnant?
Yes. There are no problems with getting your nails done while you are pregnant. Just steer clear of nail polish that contains harsh chemicals, and you will be okay.
7. Can You Get a Spray Tan While Pregnant?
No. Getting a spray tan is not like coloring your hair. It is risky for pregnant women. How it would affect your baby when you inhale the fumes is still unknown. There is a chance that it is dangerous. Since that is the case, we recommend not getting a spray tan.
Conclusion
So, can you dye your hair while pregnant? Yes, medical experts say you can. It is not likely to affect the baby that you are carrying. You can color your hair all the way to the roots or just get highlights. It does not matter. Just remember the best practices to stay safe. That is mostly about minimizing exposure through wearing gloves and a mask.