When you fall pregnant, everything changes in terms of what products you can use and which beauty treatments you can continue throughout your pregnancy. Hair dyeing is one of the most talked about topics on the Internet as to whether you can continue your usual colour treatments while with child, so we spoke to some of the U.K.'s top hair experts in an attempt to uncover the truth. "There are many reports about dyeing your hair during pregnancy being unsafe due to dye being in contact with the scalp and circulating to reach the fetus," Leah Durrant, Director of Leah Durrant Hair Salon & Beauty Re:Treat, told us. "However, it is safe to colour your hair whilst you are pregnant, as the chemicals within both semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic."
Dyeing your hair while pregnant is often talked about
Many doctors advise steering clear of hair dyeing during the first trimester, as things applied to the body or skin are easily transferred to the baby inside. However, dyeing hair using a method such as the on-trend balayage reduces the risk as the dye doesn't come into contact with the scalp – meaning the risk of transferring any chemicals to the fetus are minimised. "If you are still feeling a bit anxious about dyeing your hair whilst being pregnant, I would recommend opting for a balayage where the roots blend in with your natural hair colour, more time can be left in between appointments and no colour touches the scalp," Leah added.
The other thing to remember is that hair condition can change dramatically while pregnant. Many women who have been dyeing their hair with the same products for years find that they have an allergic reaction to said product once they fall pregnant. So whether dyeing at home, or having your hair coloured in a salon, a patch test is absolutely vital. Henna-based hair dyes are a popular choice for at-home dyeing, with Naturtint top of many women's lists, thanks to their offering of permanent or semi-permanent hair dyes. "Your hair is likely to feel different though as your hormones and things change so it is important to react to your hair's changes and give it lots of TLC to keep it in top condition," Dean Jones, Owner of Dean Jones Hairdressing, explained. He also recommended a balayage or “root stretch” treatment during pregnancy, for the same reasons as Leah.
