Can you dye your hair whilst pregnant?
Among the multiple beauty conundrums that grow while you're expecting (hormonal acne and water retention, we're talking to you), lies the commonly queried, 'is it safe to dye your hair whilst pregnant?'
The simple answer is yes –the chemicals found in hair colourants are not highly toxic – but there's more to it that that. We asked four top London hair colourists to share their stance on the debate and what they think you should know.
It's safer than ever – thanks to new advancements in colour, says Adam Reed, co-founder of Percy & Reed:
"You absolutely can dye your hair whilst pregnant," Reed says. "It's an urban myth that you can't!" From a technical point of view, he adds "with the advancement in professional colour and hair colour additives such as L'Oréal Professionnel Smartbond [a two-step process which allows the colourist to protect the hair and prevent damage during a technical service], it's safer than ever."
You could swap to highlights or semi-permanent colours, says Fran Dixon, creative colourist at Hari's Salon:
"Women usually wait until after the initial 12 weeks (or first trimester) of pregnancy when any potential risks are much lower," Dixon notes. To be cautious, "you can convert from all-over colours to highlights, so that the dye doesn't come into contact with the scalp." The colourist adds you could also "start using semi-permanent colours (if you have an all-over tint) or ammonia free colours such as L'Oréal Professionnel INOA and platinum bleach which contain no ammonia."
Your sense of smell might change things, says Anna Short, colour director at Daniel Galvin:
Short, too, recommends switching to an ammonia free colour, for another reason. "L'Oréal Professionnel INOA may help pregnant women with a heightened sense of smell to enjoy their colour service more, as these products have a more pleasant odour. Alternatively, using a vegetable colour (often called a gloss on the menu) is the gentlest way to blend away white hairs," she says.
Hormonal changes could cause chemical sensitivity, says Shannon Lewis, colour director at Neville Hair & Beauty:
Lewis also agrees it is safe to have your hair coloured whilst pregnant, "however due to rapid hormone changes during pregnancy, ladies may develop chemical sensitivity." She says, "it is therefore vital for the colourist to carry out a skin allergy test before each and every colour service." Short agrees with this instruction, adding, "hormones can also have an effect on the outcome of the colour, so testing the hair before colouring could eliminate the element of surprise!"
In a nutshell, consider waiting until after the first trimester of pregnancy then go ahead with your colour appointments (after a successful skin allergy test). To be extra cautious opt for highlights, balayage, ammonia free colour or a gloss.
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