being pregnant and hair..........

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

Since hair is essentially just dead cellular material extruded out of the skin, it shouldn't be very different pregnant or not, except maybe regarding oiliness (or lack) because that really comes from the skin (scalp), which, of course, is very much alive and could be influenced by pregnancy hormones.

However. If you are avoiding caffeine, tobacco, OTC meds, etc., etc., you might want to avoid putting potentially teratogenic chemicals on your head.

I've never heard of anybody's baby being affected, and I've never seen a pregnant woman with bad hair, who attributed it to having had it processed while pregnant.

But I wouldn't take the chance.

Congrats on la bebe!

krissypoo · Aug 11, 2004

I dyed by hair when i was preg-o and nothing bad resulted (so have the majority of my girlfriends). If you are worried, talk to your doc next time your in, or just skip it if you want piece of mind.

SC RN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

I dyed by hair when i was preg-o and nothing bad resulted (so have the majority of my girlfriends). If you are worried, talk to your doc next time your in, or just skip it if you want piece of mind.

I asked my hair guy about this the other day (I'm thinking ahead to next year when I want to get pregnant after nursing school) and he said that since he doesn't put the dye on my scalp (I get a weave), it doesn't do my body or the baby any harm. HOWEVER, he said what he worried about was what the pregnant woman inhales while sitting in his chair and the people next to him are getting perms, acrylic nails and so on. That's what worries me, too, since half the time I have a headache when I leave there. Maybe I can convince him to make housecalls? :rotfl:

Maggie in NC · Aug 11, 2004

I dyed my hair blonde every 6 weeks without fail when I was pregnant! The chemicals did not bother me but the dark roots did! You'll be fine! I can attest to it not affecting the child. My 13 year old is a healthy, straight A makin smart a**! :chuckle

PennyLane, RN · Aug 11, 2004

Hair dye does lead to bladder cancer. If it were me, I'd skip the dye. But as others have said, nothing bad is likely to happen.

There are soooo many toxins in our environment anyway, from pesticides on our produce to preservatives to air pollution, hair dye probably isn't going to make that much of a difference. But why take the chance?

nurseygrrl, LPN · Aug 11, 2004

Hair dye leads to bladder cancer?!?!?!?!?!?

Elenaster · Aug 11, 2004

I'm currently 34 weeks and I'm having highlights put in next week (2 days before I turn 30 - aaaaaccck). My OB says it's fine and I completey trust him. He's very conservative about do's and dont's while you're preggo.

Honestly, I'm far more worried about what I'm exposed to at work, but it's up to you to decide what you're comfortable with.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

rica75 · Aug 11, 2004

while the dye is sitting, go out side for fresh air. That is what I did. I'm sure the chemicals on your scalp is bad, but inhaling can be worse (espacially for us "blondes") so I put the color on, and sat out-side until rinse time. You can do this at the salon too, just grab a mag on your way out.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

What we were told in school is that the fumes from the chemicals are not safe for anyone to inhale. If you absolutely cannot wait to get something done to the hair, sit near the exit, and try to go outside while it processes.

Katnip, RN · Aug 11, 2004

When I was pregnant my OB said to skip the hair coloring.

As far as hair dye causing cancer, I heard that a few years ago that hair dyes, especially dark dyes could possibly be linked to cancer. BUT that has been disproven since then, and they are now saying there is no link.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

My OB said after the 1st trimester...go for it...and she herself is a beautiful "natural blonde" and has 4 healthy kids. It depends on your comfort level :)