Can pregnant women dye their hair?

The miracle of pregnancy creates many changes to the body. In our current world, and especially in the United States, many women are forced to be concerned about their body image and may continue their regular beauty habits during the time of their pregnancy. One of the questions I’ve been continually asked is if a woman can dye her hair during pregnancy and if there are any harmful side effects that could occur? In today’s blog post, I hope to answer these questions and shed some light on the issue.

In regards to pigmenting or coloring your hair, the short answer is… yes, you can dye your hair. Although there is still a lack of extensive research, the studies that have been done demonstrate that there is no sufficient reason to stress about potentially harmful chemicals in permanent or semi-permanent hair dye.

However, this does not mean to go ahead with a full hair change either. Particularly in the first weeks of a pregnancy, it may be dangerous as some permanent hair dyes can have higher toxicity levels that can be absorbed through the skin and cause some problems during the first trimester. If you must dye your hair, do so after the first trimester.

Don’t forget, pregnancy and childbirth is a time to reflect, spend moments with loved ones, and cherish the birth of a beautiful new child. Self appearance should be the last thing on your mind. However, if you should have any questions about hair dyes or pigments, or beauty products in general, please do not hesitate to contact my office. At CWC Virginia, aim to answer any questions you should have during the course of your pregnancy, and provide extensive discussions on any concerns you may have. My office is happy to provide consultations and help regarding healthy habits during pregnancies, check ups, and more. To schedule an appointment, click here.