Coloring hair during pregnancy

Nicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.

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When it comes to dyeing hair during pregnancy, many women are unsettled. Despite pregnancy, they would like to continue coloring, tinting or highlighting their hair, but fear health risks for the unborn child. Read here how risky hair coloring actually is during pregnancy and what alternatives there are to chemical hair colors!

Dyeing hair during pregnancy: risks

Experts have investigated the possible health risk from hair products for coloring, straightening or curling, particularly with regard to pregnant hairdressers. As a result, the products were classified as relatively harmless. But they are not particularly healthy either.

For example, chemical hair dyes (oxidation hair dyes) can contain aromatic amines such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD). In Germany, according to the law, the artificially produced dye in a hair dye product may only make up a proportion of up to two percent and occur exclusively together with so-called coupler substances. Then PPD is considered to be harmless to health. Without these coupler substances, however, PPD can trigger allergies and damage the genetic material. In Germany, such regulations are well controlled. However, caution is advised with foreign hair coloring products - during pregnancy as well as in all other phases of life.

When the products are applied to the hair, our body can absorb toxic substances through the scalp. It cannot be completely ruled out that, especially in the case of permanent dyeing with chemical products, small amounts of the harmful substances get into the maternal bloodstream or pass into breast milk. So far it is unclear whether child development is negatively influenced when pregnant or breastfeeding women dye their hair. Pregnancy and breastfeeding should therefore be the reason for women to avoid chemical applications as much as possible as a precaution. This is especially true for the first three months of pregnancy.

Dyeing hair: are natural products better?

At first glance, natural products for coloring hair during pregnancy appear to be a sensible alternative. But there are also dangers lurking in natural dyes. They can contain pesticide residues or - despite being labeled as a natural product - chemical substances. Henna products are also sometimes contaminated with questionable color enhancers or PPD, depending on the country of manufacture.

Furthermore, henna (as well as oxidation hair dyes) contains the Lawson pigment, which is responsible for the characteristic yellow-red color of henna. A few years ago it was suspected of damaging the genetic make-up. However, after evaluating the studies, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) came to the conclusion that "according to current knowledge, there is no mutagenic risk".

Allergy test before dyeing your hair?

During pregnancy as well as in all other phases of life, hair dyes - both chemical and vegetable - can trigger allergic reactions, which manifest themselves as reddening of the skin, itching and swelling (contact eczema). Testing how the body reacts to a small area of ​​skin before actually using the dye is not recommended. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), this self-test can additionally increase the risk of allergies. If you have any questions or concerns, you should consult a dermatologist before dyeing your hair.

Pregnant: Would you rather leave hair dyeing entirely?

In spite of everything, you do not have to completely do without hair coloring during pregnancy. There are good, less aggressive alternatives to chemical hair dyes:

• Natural colors: But pay attention to additives and good quality, they are not always purely natural products.
• Color shampoos: Natural colorings from walnut, chestnut or chamomile color gently, gently and harmless to health.

Another tip: instead of coloring it, you can tint your hair while you are pregnant. The washable color is deposited on the outside of the hair and does not penetrate inside. And because of their size, the color particles are not so easily absorbed through the skin.

Another alternative to the usual hair dyeing during pregnancy is to dye only individual strands and not the entire head of hair. In this way, the amount of potentially unhealthy ingredients applied can be reduced.

Tips for coloring hair during pregnancy

If you want to dye or dye your hair during pregnancy, a visit to the hairdresser is recommended. If you want to lend a hand yourself, you should consider the following points:

• Buy good quality hair dye while paying attention to additives.
• Reduce skin contact to the bare minimum.
• Use impervious rubber gloves.
• Do not leave the product on for longer than necessary.
• Rinse off the paint thoroughly.

Bleaching, straightening and perming during pregnancy

Coloring hair is not the only beautification action that caution is advised on during pregnancy. Chemicals in the form of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia (oxidizing agent) or formaldehyde are also often used when straightening and bleaching hair and when doing a permanent wave. Pregnant women should avoid these applications. Instead, use a straightener, curlers or lemon.

Hormones: affect hair coloring

During pregnancy, the change in hormones changes the whole body - right down to the tips of the hair, because hormones influence the structure of the hair. When dyeing hair during pregnancy, the result can be different from what you may have been used to before. Even with a tried and tested tint, pregnant women must expect to achieve a different effect than expected. The best thing to do is to seek advice from a hairdresser about hair coloring during pregnancy!

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