Hair Dye & Pregnancy.....

I am sure this question has come up before, but i'll ask anyway.

I am booked in to get my hair dyed (foils) tomorrow, but am not sure if i am pregnant or not. Have had a few symptoms, but as i have said in other posts - it could be me willing them on. Would it be safe to go ahead and have it done or is it best to wait till i know either way?

Thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

M

One of my friends who has 3 kids got her hair dyed every 6 weeks right throughout her pregnancies.

Not that I know if it's safe or not! lol

I had foils put in when I was 9 weeks preg,..for my wedding! Appaerntly they are safe cos the dye is like a few cm from your scalp,..and therefore cant penetrate your scalp and chemicals enter your blood stream,..like they can do if you have a full colour.

foils are OK as the dye doesn't touch your scalp anyway so you should be fine!

Mind you if my appointment was last week i wouldn't have given it a second thought.

Might just go for a haircut instead - to be safe.

RED - a question you may be able to answer for me or source the answer - is Bergamot ok during pregnancy. i am drinking an earl grey tea that has pieces of bergamot skin in it.

Yep, just doubled checked in my book and it is fine.

I don't think any of our hairdressers still use lead-based dyes. The lead was the component that wasn't safe while pregnant.

I was going to dye my hair a while ago but decided not to. I didn't have any definite info that said I shouldn't but I did read that the chemicals from the dye can be found in your pee afterwards. That kinda made me change my mind.

But then again I also think it comes down to personal preference. My mother who is a midwife says she wouldn't stop dying your hair if you want to but my midwife says that she doesn't recommend it.

I just found this..... and according to all the articles Ive found highlights and foils are fine. If you are to get streaks just ask the hairdresser to be carefull that she doesnt poke you in the head (As many of them do! cause they try to do it in a rush! OUCH!)



Hair dyes

Many women are concerned about the effects of dyeing their hair during pregnancy. The chemicals used in hair dyes are many and varied, this is what makes it 'take to the hair' (unlike things like shampoo and conditioner). There is little concrete evidence to estimate the real risks involved. What we do know is that the chemicals from hair dye can be absorbed through a woman's scalp (and the skin on her hands if she does not use gloves). Hair dye chemicals can be detected in a woman's urine within hours of applying it to her head and there is some research that links the use of hair dyes during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy with possible birth defects. However, many caregivers think that the amount of chemicals used in hair dyes and the frequency of their use during pregnancy is not enough to be of concern.

While there are no clear guidelines (and there are no doubt many women who have dyed their hair during early pregnancy who have subsequently had a healthy baby), there are some things you can do to minimise the possible risks (if there are any). These are:

* Trying to avoid dying your hair during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as this is a crucial time in your baby's development. If you are trying to conceive, you may prefer to dye your hair during the first 2 weeks after your last period, and avoid it during the two weeks after you ovulate and are waiting for a positive pregnancy test (or until your next period to arrives).

* Spacing the timing of hair dyes so you are using them as infrequently as possible during the pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

* Asking your hairdresser to place a rubber cap on your head and pull as much hair through the holes as he or she can, so that the dye does not come in contact with your scalp.

* Using foils. These help keep the dye off your skin.
     
* If you are home dyeing, (or a hairdresser yourself) follow the manufacturers instructions and always wear gloves.

Great information Trish, have postponed appointment till i know either way

And Brittany - well who'd trust what she does anyway....