Highlights, Hair Color, and Pregnancy
Snow has a beauty question for all you mamas out there:
What about hair color during pregnancy/breast feeding? Is it safe? Does anyone know of good natural alternatives? I have a lot of grey and I usually get it colored with some brown and blonde streaks but I've tried Henna in the past (when I was a lot younger and had less grey) and it made my hair really dry and made my grey hair pretty much turn orange! So for now, I'm keeping it pulled into a ponytail and feeling really frumpy...maybe I need to explore the wide world of stylish hats?
I dyed my hair during all 3 of my pregnancies and while breastfeeding. The only thing my hair guy wouldn't do was any type of lifting for highlights. I went to Dosha during that time (I go somewhere else now) and they use Aveda products which are fairly gentle on your hair.
Posted by: daphne | November 06, 2006 at 08:28 AM
I asked my stylist about it when I was pregnant as well, and he said he'd be reluctant to do regular (like every 3-4 weeks), all-over color throughout a pregnancy because that stuff does cover your entire scalp and could enter your bloodstream. But he said highlights a few times throughout your pregnancy would not likely be a problem because they can do it without really touching your scalp with the color. His feeling was that the benefit of feeling good about yourself while pregnant likely outweighs the risk. I had highlights put in twice while I was pregnant and felt good about it.
Posted by: NoPo Mama | November 06, 2006 at 09:02 AM
I totally colored/touched up roots thru pregnancy and was fine. i think the paranoia about it being harmful is a little crazy, but then, I also happily had a glass of wine or a beer a few times a week in my last trimester, and again, had a totally fine healthy baby.
I have also heard that the new gentler hair dyes are so much kinder to our bodies than the old-fasioned noxious ones, so I would really not worrty a bit about dyeing hair throughout pregnancy.
Posted by: Mim | November 06, 2006 at 11:39 AM
I haven't seen any research about the effects of hair dye on a developing child, but there has been some recent research that links long-term use of dark-colored hair dye to an increased risk of blood cancer in the person getting the hair dyed. It seems like a mother's serious health problems could indirectly harm her child (disclosure - my mother died of cancer when I was young) but I don't know how old the women in the study were when they developed cancer. Maybe their children were grown.
Posted by: cat | November 06, 2006 at 12:36 PM
My very dear friend (and not mama to be yay!) is a styleist and assured me that regular hair coloring stuff was just fine. There are some old products that could be bad, but most reputable salons will not use any of them. Any licenced styleist should know her (or his) stuff if you talk to them about it. If they are wierd about it, go to someone more knowledgeable or who makes you more comfortable. It is all about what makes you comfortable.
Posted by: Emily | November 06, 2006 at 12:55 PM
My OB said I could do non-permanent color, less toxic and not on your hair for as long. She also said highlights were okay being that they are for the most part applied just to the hair. It's probably ok, but I always think it's smart to defer to your doctor's advice on all matters affecting your unborn baby.
Posted by: Monica | November 06, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Well, I went through two pregnancies with worries because I've always heard that dying hair while pg was potentially toxic for the baby. Let me say that I was very concerned and did a lot of research on the subject. With both of my pregnancies i asked my OB/ Midwife (2 different people) what the deal was. I've also had this discussion with several other people in the industry since then. And what I've found is that the responses I've gotten was that the reason it's ill-advised to use hair dye while pregnant is *not* because of some unknown and unforseen toxic residual effect on the fetus, but because while pg our hormones are so off the wall that there is a very real chance that our folicles and strands will not adapt to the chemicals as they would had we not been pg. The hormones, in effect, could cause our hair to react in ways it wouldn't had we not been in the specific state. kwim? I'm sure anyone in healthcare would advise against ANYTHING that involves unnatural exposure, but from what I've found talking to SEVERAL different sources (and not stylists, but medical professionals) is that the issue lies with consistency and prevention--not some overwhelmingly overprecautious fight to prevent a fetus from 'toxic exposure.' GL!!!! I had my hair done each time I've been pg and it turned out well both times...and my kids are smart and adorable...and as far as i can tell, developing at each stage just fine ;) xoxo
Posted by: rebecca | November 07, 2006 at 12:50 AM
I have a great hair stylist (actually I refer to her as my hair doctor) who uses an AMAZING amonia free hair dye. She runs her own salon in NW. The amonia is what, if anything, you want to stay away from. This hair color also has bees wax in it too (not like you think -- doesn't make it waxy) so it fills in some of the coarseness of your hair so your hair feels unbelievably soft when you are done. Its a really nice bright color and it fades gracefully as well so you don't have to go back every two weeks to fix the stripe on your head.
Everyone I have sent to my "hair doctor" raves about her. There are a few people that once you find the right one you stick with for life! A really good chiropractor and a stylist/colorist are two of those for me. She always ends up spending way more time with me then she charges me for (I just give her a big tip), and curls or styles my hair at the end. She listens and she's really intuitive. I can go in with a really wacky specific idea and she'll give me feedback and make it happen so it looks awesome. OR I can go in and say that I am feeling frumpy and totally uninspired but I need SOMETHING. She'll come up with something amazing so that I feel like that's exactly what I came in asking for. She doesn't make you feel weird if you say you don't like the way she did something or could she change something. The best part is its like a really good therapy session. I guarentee you will leave feeling like you just got to catch up with an old friend and cute hair-do to boot.
If you email me I will give you her number.
Incidently, my midwife said there is really no proof that hair dye (even the kind w/ amonia) can harm you or your baby at all. In fact stylists who are pregnant themselves go thru their whole pregnancy handling it and never have any problems. I was still wanting to be cautious about it and told my midwife about the amonia free stuff. She said that was more than alright! I did also wait until after the first trimester.
:)
dana.burrell@gmail.com
Posted by: Hippie mama | November 07, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Thanks mamas for all the earnest and balanced advice. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and thoughts. It makes me feel better about making a decision based on whatever makes the most sense for me. The ammonia-free color with beeswax sounds very interesting...it probably smells a lot nicer than regular color!
Here's to all you ladies who manage to stay healthy AND pretty while bringing healthy babies into the world. I hope to follow your example! :)
Posted by: Snow | November 07, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Here's a citation to a WebMD article that might be worth looking at for anyone interested in pursuing it.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96452
"Jan. 26, 2004 -- Long-term use of permanent hair dye -- in dark colors -- doubles a person's risk of certain blood cancers, new research shows."
Posted by: cat | November 08, 2006 at 08:34 AM
I was flipping through "the Complete Organic Pregnancy" book and found the section on hair dye. It cites the John Masters Salon organic hair care line http://www.johnmasters.com or http://www.saffronrouge.com. The dyes contain limited chemicals. It also says that it is encouraged to wait after the first trimester. Also, go for "organic" highlights or lowlights, procedures that don't place the dye in contact with the scalp.
(P.S. Heather, I still owe you this book! Hope to hand it off to you on Monday.)
Posted by: urbanMamas | November 09, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Hi I am pregnant 4 months can i colour my hair , does it harm the baby.
I had consult my gino.. she said there is no problem as far as it is indian product ,
can i use REvolon
Posted by: fatema | May 22, 2007 at 09:27 PM
How safe is to have highlights while breastfeeding.
Posted by: Uzjam | September 10, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Hi Everyone,
You can find the answers and natural products to all your hair care and pregnancy questions on www.maternitysalon.com
Posted by: Meri | August 06, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Your hair stylist is not a health care professional. Your OBGYN can not know the effects of every chemical available on your baby.
Use common sense. Any chemical could potentially harm your baby. Is vanity worth the risk.
Consider using Henna. If your hair was dried out from it in the past, it wasn't pure Henna, it was probably blended with Indigo, or other products.
Some health food stores will have safer products.
Most hair dyes have ammonia this is dangerous for a pregnant woman. It will soak in through the skin and the fumes will be breathed in. Yes, not all toxins ingested by the mother will cross the placenta, but most do.
Do your homework, be smart.
Beware of people claiming they dyed their hair and their baby was fine! There's people who've been exposed to every known toxic chemical who's baby turned out fine. SO WHAT! That doesn't mean that YOUR baby won't have their immune system compromised in a subtle way. Why has the #'s of young children with asthma increased so severely. Is is hair dye, NO, but it is an overload of many subtle toxins. It's a problem of being exposed to too many combinations of chemicals and toxins.
Posted by: iwantlongerhair.com | November 01, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Stay away from the toxic ingredients of hair dyes during pregnancy. There are great natural organic hair dyes that you can use. There are great organic shampoos from John masters organics. You can find it at Green Organics Beauty http://www.greenorganics.com.au
Posted by: Sarah | April 14, 2010 at 02:19 AM
I get my hair highlighted several times a year so I really need something that is going to make my hair smooth and it not be dried out anymore. Shielo Hydrate conditioner has really helped in so many ways. For one I love the smell it is not strong but also not to weak it is the right amount of a smell. Another thing the Shielo Hydrate shampoo itself is not really thick it has a silky smooth feel to it. It lathers up really really well and cleans so well.
Another thing is that you don't have to keep rinsing your hair to get all of the shampoo it comes out very well. Also I have to little kids and one thing is really nice about this is that it is mild enough on the skin that you can use it to wash your little ones hair so that is a plus for me.
Posted by: Rosie | November 04, 2011 at 08:08 PM