To dye or not to dye?

[CatholicBFMama]

I'm getting conflicting information about whether or not it's ok to dye my hair while pregnant. On the one hand, some sources say that the dyes don't contain formaldehyde anymore, so it's safe to do while pregnant, then I've read that you shouldn't.

Not that I'm vain, but I started dyeing my hair about 4 months ago for the first time--I'm naturally blond and am currently a redhead. If I just let it grow out I'm going to look extremely ridiculous, much like a reverse skunk. : What do y'all think? Is anybody else still coloring their hair?

[Guinevere]

I've been coloring my hair for years now, but I never color anytime during the first trimester, it's just out of my own personal comfort level. So I usually look pretty interesting for three months or so, and then I look fabulous for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters!

Guin

[Meekola]

If your feeling iffy about it, maybe you could compromise and dye your hair, but not into the roots? I figure if you keep it off your scalp, it can't be too bad, especially if your using natural hair dye.

Hmm... I wonder since your going from blonde to red if there's any sort of henna hair dye.

Just thinking out loud! My hair is dark brown so there's not much to do with it

Grace

[wobblykate]

I briefly saw a headline saying there were bad chemies in henna now, too. I wonder if it would make a difference, as pp suggested, to avoid the scalp (if that's possible) and have the rest of you hair dyed back to blonde just so you don't look stripey? But that stuff's so messy...trying not to let the chemicals touch your scalp is probably pretty impossible.

[crazyrunningmama]

I have the same worries. I am not so worried about the chemicals soaking through my skin, but inhaling the fumes. Last time I was pg I just looked like crap. This time I'll leave the roots for the first trimester, then possibly reconsider (bad bad mousey brown/grey natural colour, not enhancing to my mood!)

[riverview9]

i would talk to your midwife or OB but i say its okay. i try to wait longer between dye jobs and make sure its ventilated more than usual

[mischievium]

Well... I had highlights done about two weeks ago because I have 2 weddings (One my BIL, the other I am the Matron of Honor) in 3 weeks and my roots were ginormous. The info that I found said that having highlights done was better than an all over dye job because, when done competently, highlights shouldn't touch your scalp. So, I bit the bullet and did it and told the hair person I was newly pregnant and she was very careful, while still doing a great job with my hair.

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by wobblykate

I briefly saw a headline saying there were bad chemies in henna now, too. I wonder if it would make a difference, as pp suggested, to avoid the scalp (if that's possible) and have the rest of you hair dyed back to blonde just so you don't look stripey? But that stuff's so messy...trying not to let the chemicals touch your scalp is probably pretty impossible.

That stuff's not real henna. That's black henna, which is not the real deal and can seriously burn skin. Real henna is natural and could be used for sure.

[CatholicBFMama]

In order to go back blonde I'll have to bleach my whole head, which IMHO is worse than getting a little dye on my scalp!

Also, my hair grows really fast (after 8 weeks my roots are close to an inch long), so not touching my scalp with the dye would be pretty much pointless.

Hmmm... Guess I'll have to think on this before my scheduled appt next week.

[heatherweh]

I'm in a similar situation. I have some pretty gnarly brown roots already and would normally be doing my roots right about now. My hair is mousy brown naturally and I bleach it blonde.

During my last pregnancy I went i to the hairdresser and had her match my natural color and dye it back. I had mousy brown hair the whole pregnancy and then the whole first year or so, not having the inclination or energy to bother with it. I was delighted to be a beautiful blonde again!

I'm sure the bleach on my roots has to be a big no-no, so I guess I'm going back to frumpy. Sigh. Maybe I can get a cute haircut to compensate...

[Peony]

I've colored my hair for years, this will be my third pg doing so. I just tried to google it and could not find any info, but my stylist uses Shades, which is a gentle semi-permanent hair color, it's plant based. I've dyed my hair this color long enough that it doesn't fade that quickly anymore, so I go in every 3 months to touch up the roots and my bangs. I just went in last week for a touch up!

[catemom]

Hi,

I started using body art quality henna almost two years ago (to cover the unfortunate early gray) that I buy online from www.hennaforhair.com and it does not have any weird chemicals added to it. The downside is that you have to mix it yourself to get the desired color (which can be somewhat tricky). The upside is that you know exactly what you are putting in your hair (unlike to premixed boxed stuff you can buy off the shelf). Although it's a little more work, I really like this stuff because it doesn't damage my hair or burn my scalp like the other stuff does. Anyway, I'd definitely consider it as an option.

[catemom]

Oh yeah, check out the info on Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" database to see just how harmful the hair dyes can be. If you want to continue to use chemical hair dyes, maybe there's one listed there that is less bad for you than others.

[lotus.blossom]

I dyed my hair from blonde to red a day before I found out I was pregnant with my DS. It was semi permanent and it just faded out of my hair and my mom helped it along with some foils (when I was 6 months pregnant) and it was fine. Like someone else said, foils will keep the bleach off your scalp and who knows, it may be a pretty shade of strawberry if you put some highlights back into it!!

[jkg]

My hair has been natural for the last two years. Two weeks ago I felt like I needed it colored. At that point I had convinced myself that I wasn't pregnant...so being the genius that I am, I dyed it black. One week later I found out I am pregnant...so I will look like a zebra in a few months! :