Hair dye??

[Momto1and1ontheway]

Does anyone have any reliable information on the safety/danger of hair dyes during pregnancy? I am looking beastly but only want to do what's safe. My OB says dye is okay, but I don't know if I can do box color or if I should do vegetable dye (did this with dd) or henna.

Anyone else in this boat or can shed some light on the topic?

Thanks everyone!

[mel~3jumpin beans]

Everyone says coloring is fine. I have had mine both professionally done and also box form. I personally have colored my 30% gray head for close to 15 yrs and have colored thru all of my pregnancies. I cannot imagine having to worry about that in addition to everything else.

Do it you will feel 100% better.]

Just remember to do it an open room to elimate as many fumes as possible.

Mel

[mellie-lynn]

Personally I wouldn't do it at all because of the known carcinogens in dyes. I don't know a whole lot about it but I do know that The American Cancer Society says that dyeing while preggo appears to "cause no significant increase in risk for cancers". For them to tell me there is no "increased risk" or that it's "probably safe" is a little iffy.

However, if you look outside of the box and read cancer stories or read particularly about macrobiotics (promoting well-being) 9 times out of 10 you will read that hair dye is a huge no-no. Especially Black Hair dye, Or Red food dyes. (not that you'll be dyeing your hair with food coloring..lol)
Everything and anything is absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream.

I'd read around and then decide.
Theres some pretty useful info out there

I don't know anything about vegetable dyes either but If you feel safe with that I would try that instead of something permanent. IMO

I hope this didn't sound snotty or bossy...I just hate to be told one thing by doctors then a few weeks later be told their studies were wrong.

Take care mama..your babe is lucky to have you

[NYCVeg]

I also wouldn't use a chemical dye during pregnancy, but that's because, like mellie-lynn, I really don't trust most of the safety assurances.

I just read today, for example, that the CDC insists that there's "no evidence of risk" for pregnant women to be given the flu shot with thirmesol (about 25 mcg of mercury). Um...of course there's no "evidence"--they've NEVER studied it. And the same people that insist I can shoot myself up with mercury, tell me that a cup of coffee or two sips of beer is far too dangerous to my fetus. Grrr...I'm just mad at the world today!

Back to topic: I might go the HFS and see if you can find a natural, vegetable dye. I'm sure there's plenty of stuff out there.

[lilmissimpatient@c]

If you're really stuck on coloring your hair (like me ) You could go for highlights/low lights, that way very little dye touches your scalp. It's what I've been doing, and it looks just as nice

[ltk]

Whole foods has an amonia free dye. It generally doesn't have fumes. I have bought a box, but haven't used it yet. I think that is the happy medium that I need to feel safe...it isn't clairol, it's the less toxic version. Let us know what you decide!