Pregnancy Safe Hair Dye

An important consideration for mums-to-be that dye their hair is using pregnancy safe hair dye. Falling pregnant comes with a host of responsibilities. It's not just a question of eating for two – or more realistically ensuring that you maintain healthy eating habits throughout your pregnancy for the sake of your unborn child – but you also have to be sure you don't unwittingly expose the baby in your womb to unnecessary dangers.

Two of the most common areas of concern (apart from a good, balanced diet) are smoking and drinking. Drug abuse is another, and one that is an escalating problem in certain sectors of society. Clearly what these substances have in common are that they are swallowed, drunk, inhaled, or taken in some other way that results in them being absorbed into the body's system. This is why they are such a threat to the unborn baby.

While harsh chemicals and radical hair dyes may not be good for a pregnant woman's hair, are they going to harm her unborn child (that is, are they pregnancy safe)?

The American Pregnancy Association, which is a national US health organization dedicated to promoting awareness and to educating the community, does not believe that hair dyes in general present any danger to pregnant women or their unborn children. For instance they say it is not likely that chemicals would be absorbed into breast milk largely because it has been proven that a minimal amount of dye is ever absorbed through the skin and into the body.

However the Association is quick to point out that the chemicals used in many hair dye products are not generally tested for effects on pregnant women. This means we don't really know whether or not there are any adverse effects. So even if there isn't a warning on the packaging of chemical hair dyes, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises women to be cautious and to avoid permanent hair dyes during their first three months of pregnancy. This can, of course, be a Catch 22 for some women who don't immediately realize they are pregnant until after six to eight weeks!

The medical people aren't really concerned about absorption through the skin. It's more about the harmful fumes that pregnant mums may inhale, particularly if they color their hair themselves. Since permanent dyes and hair straightening products invariably contain ammonia, both should be avoided at very least in the early months of pregnancy.

Since semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes generally don't contain ammonia (although they do contain other chemicals), these are a considerably safer bet for the pregnant mother who is determined to color her hair. But you would probably be even better off using a natural organic hair dye that contains no chemicals at all.

If you are pregnant and you are still determined to use a permanent hair dye to color your hair, here are some valuable tips that you should follow:

  • Whether you color your own hair or have it done in a salon, make sure you are in an airy, well-ventilated room or area where fumes cannot build up.
  • If you're applying the dye yourself, be sure to follow the instructions and wear gloves throughout the process to avoid any unnecessary absorption of chemicals through your skin.
  • Don't leave the chemicals on your hair for any longer than is necessary (this also minimizes possible absorption).
  • Be extra vigilant when it comes to rinsing the dye off your scalp and hair.

Ultimately you have another human life to consider, so rather be safe than sorry.