Can I have my hair coloured while pregnant?

I question I’ve been asked recently is “Is it safe to have my colour done while I’m pregnant?” Like most things nowadays the internet is full of conflicting advice. NHS website says yes it is safe but maybe advice against it in the first 12 weeks. Advice I do agree with I have to say. The advice has kept evolving and changing throughout the years, when I first started out the advice was it was safe. To be honest don’t think it was even a thing to ask 😬 Then around 10 years ago doctors and midwives were dead against it.

Let me explain the reasons why this is a “thing”, when you have your hair coloured your skin absorbs some of product which then goes into your blood stream, therefore the baby can be exposed too. I would like to add that for mum the exposure is minimal so for baby is minutely.

My honest advice is like anything it’s about being sensible. If you’re having your usual hair colour appointment of every 6-8 weeks your not going to create much exposure, however if you had an appointment every 2 weeks the exposure is much greater. You get the idea.

Some doctors and midwives may still advise you against it and even some hair stylists might not be comfortable carrying out some hair colour services. My advice is discuss it with your doctor or midwife and then your hairdresser on what maybe the best way to go for you. If you do decide that it’s something that you’re not comfortable with they’re are alternatives. Highlights or balayage (without toners) are off scalp so no colour product gets absorbed into your body at all.

My personal thoughts on it are, it’s absolutely fine as long as you’re not bleaching on the scalp. This is more of a problem for mum, you can be more sensitive and the hormone changes can effect the end result even if it was never a problem before. Think yellow banding 😟

If you are expecting, congratulations 👏 if you have any questions about your hair ask your stylist, they know you and your hair so will be able to advise you well.

Catch you all later

Emma x

Capillus