Can pregnant women dye their hair? (myth or truth?)

It is safe to dye your hair during pregnancy, as more recent studies show that, although many dyes use chemicals, they are not present in large quantities and, therefore, are not absorbed in sufficient concentration to reach the fetus and cause malformations.

However, as most hair dyes still contain some type of chemical, if you don’t want to contain any risk, it is best to opt for water-based or ammonia-free dyes.

Therefore, the best option is to always consult your obstetrician before using any type of hair dye, whether at home or in the salon.

When is it safest to dye your hair?

It is safest to dye your hair after the first 3 months of pregnancy, which corresponds to weeks 1 to 13 of pregnancy. This is because during the first trimester there is rapid multiplication of the embryo’s cells and the formation of the main organs, being considered the most delicate phase of pregnancy, with a greater risk of mutations.

Therefore, the use of any type of strong chemical, even if in contact with the skin, should be avoided. See all the care you should take in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

Many pregnant women may feel the need to dye their hair right after the first month of pregnancy, as with pregnancy the hair tends to grow faster, but the ideal is to avoid dyeing until after the first trimester.

What is the best color to dye your hair

It’s best to use mild color dyes for dyeing your hair, as brighter colors generally contain more chemicals to allow the dye to stay in your hair for longer.

An alternative to brighter chemical dyes is the use of natural dyes, such as Henna dye or 100% vegetable dye, for example, which do not contain chemical substances. See how to dye your hair at home using teas.

Tips for dyeing your hair during pregnancy

To dye your hair during pregnancy, you need to take some precautions, such as:

• Dye your hair in a well-ventilated place;
• Always follow the instructions on the packaging;
• Use gloves to apply the dye to your hair;
• Leave the dye in your hair for the minimum time indicated, not leaving it in your hair longer than the recommended time;
• Wash your scalp thoroughly after coloring your hair.

These precautions must be adopted if the pregnant woman decides to dye her hair at home or in the salon. If a pregnant woman continues to be concerned about using hair dye during pregnancy, she should consult her obstetrician or wait to dye her hair after giving birth.

See also: Can pregnant women straighten their hair?