Can you dye your hair while pregnant?

From alcohol to hot tubs, pregnant mothers sacrifice a lot for the health of the babies growing inside them. If you are someone who colors your hair regularly, it may be difficult to give up this habit. I’ve had highlights in my hair since high school. Although I like to think of myself as a natural blonde, even without this enhancement I would have found it difficult not to color my hair during pregnancy.

There is little research on hair dye during pregnancy because it can be difficult to obtain ethical approval to conduct these studies.¹ However, we’ll examine what’s known about using hair dye during pregnancy—what’s in it, different types, possible effects, whether it’s safe, and how to make it safer.

Coloring your hair during pregnancy is a personal decision. There is a theoretical risk that there could be problems with the pregnancy or baby if you and your baby are exposed to the chemicals in hair dye. However, most of these ingredients have not been studied in humans or specifically in pregnant women. Keep in mind that studies looking at these chemicals typically involve feeding them to animals. But you don’t eat hair dye!

Your skin provides a significant barrier to the chemicals in hair dye during pregnancy. Unless there is an open wound on your scalp, only a small amount of hair dye will be absorbed into your body. The chemicals are unlikely to leak into the environment placenta in large enough quantities to cause harm to your baby.^2.3

Hair bleach typically uses hydrogen peroxide to highlight and lighten hair strands. Hydrogen peroxide occurs naturally in very small amounts in the air and human tissue and is generally considered harmless at these small amounts.⁴ This bleach is generally considered safer than hair dye because it is not typically applied to the entire head and scalp. Therefore, it is unlikely to reach the placenta or harm the unborn child.⁵

Some studies have found a connection between dyeing hair during pregnancy and certain adverse circumstances in the offspring. Using hair dye during pregnancy may be linked to leukemia in children under 2 years old, allergies, abnormal birth weight, and brain tumors.^6,7,8 However, major cancer research centers report insufficient evidence from these studies to conclusively link hair dye to cancer.^8th Another study reported that it was unclear whether hair dyes affected fetal development.⁹

Common hair dye ingredients include phenylenediamine, aminophenols, and ethanolamine.^2.3 Phenylenediamine, sometimes called PPDA, has not been studied in human pregnancy. In a study of pregnant rats, no malformations were found in fetuses exposed to phenylenediamine through their mothers. In addition, the incidence of cancer in rats exposed to this substance was not statistically significant.¹⁶ This ingredient is often found in boxes of dyes and salon products, both temporary and permanent dyes. It can cause irritation and allergic reactions, so it may be worth reading the ingredients of your hair dye and looking for an alternative to PPDA.¹⁰

Other hair dyes such as aminophenols and ethanolamine have been shown in animal studies to pose a risk of birth defects when taken in very high doses.^2.3 Hair dyes also contain many other, less worrisome ingredients, including:³

• Propylene glycolwhich is found in prescription medications, cosmetics and even foods¹¹
• Oleic acidwhich occurs naturally in animal and plant sources¹²
• Isopropyl alcoholwhich is often applied to our skin daily as it is the main ingredient in most hand sanitizers¹³

Considering the risk of hair coloring during pregnancy and the safety of each ingredient, further studies need to be conducted on the safety of these chemicals in combination.^8th

The hair coloring types are gradual, herbal, temporary, semi-permanent and permanent.³ The most common types of hair dyes are semi-permanent, permanent and herbal hair dyes.¹⁴

Permanent hair color requires ammonia to open the outer layer of hair and allow the dye to penetrate deep into the hair shaft. While these hair dyes last a long time without fading, they tend to contain harsher chemicals that can irritate the scalp more and dry out the hair itself more.¹⁴

Semi-permanent hair color coats the hair with dye instead of changing the color of the inside of the hair strands. Therefore, they do not contain ethanolamine or ammonia, chemicals necessary to penetrate the hair shaft. However, they also contain other potentially irritating chemicals. Even though these dyes contain less harsh chemicals, they are rinsed out a little each time you wash your hair, so you may need to reapply and expose yourself to them more often.¹⁴

Plant colors are usually made from henna, a powder made from a red leaf. Although these products are considered more natural and potentially safer and healthier, they still often contain PPDA to extend the shelf life of the application.¹⁴

It can easily be overwhelming to compare and research all types of hair dyes and ingredients to determine if they are safe during pregnancy. If you’re looking for the perfect pregnancy-safe hair dye, rest easy. Pregnancy organizations like the American Pregnancy Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have done this research for you and claim that hair dyes generally do not cause serious birth defects. Any hair dye can probably be used safely during pregnancy. Animal testing has shown the safety of these products and such a small amount of hair dye is absorbed into the body.^5.15

If you have decided to continue coloring your hair during pregnancy, you can still take precautions to reduce the risks to you and your growing baby:

Most of your baby’s vital organs form in the first trimester, so harmful chemicals are risky. If you want to be extra careful, you can wait until the end of the first trimester to dye your hair and protect your baby during their most vulnerable and formative period.¹

2. Minimize contact with your skin and scalp

The chemicals in hair dyes can only potentially harm your baby if they are absorbed into the body. Wear gloves when applying hair dye at home to avoid absorbing it through your fingers and hands. Consider leaving some of your hair roots their natural color to reduce the dye’s contact with your scalp.^1.5

Just as you want to minimize your skin’s exposure to chemicals, you also want to minimize inhaling the fumes. Apply hair dye in a well-ventilated area or open a window. You can also wear an N-95 mask to reduce the chemicals you breathe in when coloring your hair during pregnancy.^1.5

This tip is designed to protect both yourself and your baby. You want to make sure that no ingredients in your chosen hair dye are causing an allergic reaction. To do a patch test, apply the dye to a small area of ​​your skin, such as behind your ear or on your elbow. Check for irritation before applying the color to your entire head.⁵

Every pregnant mother wants the best for her baby and no one wants to jeopardize their pregnancy. However, you may not want to change your identity or appearance just because you are growing into a different person. In moderation and with proper precautions, most experts agree that coloring hair during pregnancy is safe. Do your research and talk to your provider to make a decision you are comfortable with, but try not to agonize or “divide” over the decision!