Hair dye during pregnancy and how to use it safely throughout pregnancy

Hair dye during pregnancy and its medical safety

Hair dye during pregnancy is safe to use in most cases when you follow basic protective steps. According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), the chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic, and only a very small amount is absorbed through the skin, which is not expected to reach or harm your baby.

You only need to know that the chemical doses capable of harming a fetus are extremely high, far greater than what you are exposed to when coloring your hair normally at home or in a salon.

The Nawah team prepared this guide using UK National Health Service guidelines without clinical review, giving you reliable information to discuss with your maternity doctor.

Source: NHS

When hair dye can be used during pregnancy and the first trimester

It is best to postpone using hair dye during pregnancy in the first months until after week 12 of pregnancy. According to the NHS, many women choose to wait until after the first 12 weeks as a precaution, because this period covers the primary development of the baby's organs when theoretical sensitivity to external substances is higher.

If you dyed your hair in the first, second, or third month before realizing you were pregnant, there is no need to worry. The NHS notes that skin absorption of hair dye is minimal and does not pose a risk that warrants fear for your baby's safety.

Starting from the fourth month through the ninth month, you can color your hair with greater peace of mind while maintaining good ventilation and limiting how long the dye sits on your scalp.

Source: NHS

Rules for using hair dye during pregnancy at home or in the salon

Safely using hair dye during pregnancy relies on reducing dye contact with your scalp skin and avoiding inhalation of rising fumes. According to the NHS, you can minimize your body's exposure to chemicals by applying simple practical steps while coloring.

Whether you decide to dye your hair at home or visit a hairdresser in your fifth, sixth, or final months, make sure to follow this step-by-step checklist.

• Wear protective gloves throughout mixing and applying the dye to shield the skin on your hands from direct absorption.
• Leave the dye on your hair for the shortest time specified in the instruction leaflet, and never exceed the stated duration.
• Open windows or turn on a fan to work in a well-ventilated room, preventing inhalation of dye fumes that could trigger nausea or headaches.
• Avoid placing dye directly onto your scalp as much as possible, focusing the application on the hair strands themselves.
• Rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly with lukewarm water immediately after the time is up to remove any lingering chemical residue.

Source: NHS

Ammonia-free hair dye during pregnancy, highlights, and alternatives

Highlighting hair strands and using pure vegetable dyes are the safest options because the dye does not touch the scalp directly. According to the NHS, chemicals used in highlights are absorbed only by the hair strands and not by your skin or bloodstream, since the product is applied away from the roots and wrapped in foil.

Many mothers look for ammonia-free hair dye during pregnancy to avoid strong odors that worsen pregnancy nausea. Semi-permanent pure vegetable dyes like natural henna also serve as a safe alternative, provided you check the ingredients to ensure they contain no added synthetic chemicals or heavy metals.

The following table compares different types of hair coloring methods so you can choose what suits your current stage of pregnancy.

Source: NHS

What hair dye causes during pregnancy and how to protect your skin from allergy

Pregnancy changes increase your skin's sensitivity to chemicals even if you used the exact same brand before pregnancy without issues. A patch test means applying a small dab of dye solution to a tiny area of skin to check for redness or itching before coloring your full head.

According to the NHS, you must always carry out a skin patch test before dyeing your hair, even if you are using the exact same product brand you have relied on for years.

In its hair dye allergy guidance, the NHS recommends dabbing a small amount of the dye solution behind your ear or on your inner elbow, letting it dry, and waiting 48 hours to confirm no irritation develops before applying it to your hair.

Alongside skin sensitivity, you may notice that your hair texture itself has shifted due to pregnancy hormones. The NHS notes that pregnant hair can react differently than usual to coloring or perming treatments, absorbing color unevenly or feeling drier.

Source: NHS · NHS

Common questions