DH won't let me dye my hair

Well, he feels strongly against dying my hair during pregnancy and I have read BB threads and magazine articles on the subject. I just want to dye the greys at the top of my head using a root touch up colour that only takes 10 minutes. It isn't like I am soaking my scalp in the dye for a long period of time and I feel like a nanna at 33 with all the greys. The baby mag article I read said that if you have to, only do it once during second and once during third trimester. I think that because this is only a 10 minute treatment and I am not putting dye on much of my scalp that it should be ok....what are your thoughts?

If you want my opinion, I don't think it would do any harm. If you are worried, look at the active ingredient and google the name + MSDS. This will bring up all the info on the chemical and will tell you if there is any evidence that it is a mutagen or teratogen.

BTW, I wouldn't be worried about grey hairs at 33 - I have more than a few now and I am only 25.

I had streaks or foils put in my hair at least twice/3 times during each of my pgs and my children are all OK. My cousin worked as a hairdresser putting dye on other people's hair throughout her pgs as a lot of other women do and had no problems.

I dyed my hair several times and first time I was pg I actually had a perm done... eeeek I shouldn't admit to having a perm...lol... but both my kidlets are just fine! Try not to breath the fumes in though and do in well ventilated area which is the norm anyway. I understand all too well about the greys and feeling old and daggy with them when you're not! :(

SiL had her hair fully bleached all the way through pregnancy and niece is... well, she's fine, just not as perfect as DS LOL. I did a light colour in early pregnancy, come to think of it, before I knew about Lieby.

Ban your DH fromm something he does to feel good about himself "for the baby" and watch him relent. Or dye your hir anyway, not likemen notice these things!

I also dyed my hair several times during my last pregnancy, with permanent colours too. The reason why I had to dye so many times was because pregnancy hormones changed my hair, and it wouldnt hold onto the dye, and half of the colour would just wash out in water! (so I walked around with washed out orange hair a lot of the time, instead of dark red, LOL :doh:)

I died my hair once at about 18 weeks using a semi. I bought the good products to hope it will last out...but the hairdresser (who died her hair when she was pregnant) seemed to think all was fine with doing it. :)

Its sweet that DH is being so protective of both you and bubs. I have read up and the modern hair dyes are safe, and I asked the hairdresser when I last had my semi put through. I suggest get some information together and get DH to read it to put his mind at ease. If in doubt ask your OB or GP next time you visit.

Yes, ask your OB/Dr.

When I was first pg with Olivia I asked my OB and he said "Dying your hair in pregnancy is about as toxic to your baby as brushing your teeth"

So I went with his advice and went straight out and got my greys sorted!

(Olivia (and Charlie and Lexie) are all quite perfect.......no problems at all..........)

Thanks everyone for your replies. Ryn, I was thinking the same thing - he won't even notice if I did it. Oh no Ambah, naughty dye. I hope the colour sticks on my head for a while so I only need to do it again before I go into labour for the photos. Lucy, I like what your OB said. Ozziehoffy, a perm! LOL I hope the curls didn't fall out from the changes in your hair.

You hear way more horror stories about what pg mothers used to get up to back in the olden days like smoke and drink through their entire pg so a little colour should be ok. That's what I am telling myself anyway.

tinsel.. like everyone else said just go for it... i had my hair done at the hairdressors in the early second tri (15 weeksish i think) and they dyed it and it needed two colours to get to the colour i want and i have had two scans now since then and all is fine and progressing well in the preg... just don't tell him haha men dnt notice anything unless its pointed out!!

Tinsel, unfortunately for me the perm did stick!! My hair didn't change with pregnancy, colours etc stick the same as any other time. I even have pics to prove the perm... waaahhhhh....pmsl. Everything is fine to do your hair... I know that I had mine done just a couple of weeks before I was due cos I wasn't going to feel all old and gross after having my bubba!!! Did wonders for making me feel great :D

I'm the same as Ambah, I've recently done mine red (semi though) and the first time the colour didn't turn out right and didn't hold, it washed out in a few weeks. This time I went a darker red and it's looking a bit better.

In my opinion, if dyeing your hair during pregnancy caused any harm to unborn babies, we'd well and truly know about it by now - how long have women been doing it? And what about hairdressers who are in contact with these products all day, every day?

I must admit I wouldn't do it too frequently and I probably would steer clear of the harsher permanent colours, especially bleach, but I really do think it's safe.

I think it'd be fine, I say go for it!!

I don't want to poop on partys or sound alarmist, but I am one of those people who is a bit paranoid about everything...!

I have read in a couple of reports that hair dyes contain neurotoxins in amounts too small to be dangerous, but when I see the word neurotoxin I get a bit nervous! I am no scientist though, so my choice is personal rather than based on evidence. I use a hair dye from the health food shop, its not expensive and you can use it for a few applications if its just for touch ups. I think its called herbatint or something.

I feel like a negative nelly for posting this...sorry...but I wanted to let people know there is an alternative dye that is really quite good.

Hi there
I dont dye my hair but I have heard that actually it is not likely to cause any probs (kinda like the toothpaste comment!!) - but you could use henna or something if you are really worried about it. there are so many things to worry about that if this is something that will really make you feel better about yourself then personally I would go for it... but thats my personal opinion.

Tinsel I gotta go against the grain here too - I firmly believe if not dyeing your hair is something that is really important to your DH, despite him having read all the info about how it is okay, then you should weigh up your desire to dye your hair against his fears and think about it in the context of your relationship with him. I am in the same situation as you - I am comfortable with it, DH is not, but because my desire to dye is due to vanity alone ( and his concerns are for the safety of our babe, I feel his needs/desires/fears deserve to be listened to, and so I won't dye my hair. There are going to be many things in parenting that one of you will be comfortable with and the other won't - personally I think that sometimes for the sake of the relationship you need to listen to the other person's concerns and sometimes concede, even though personally you think it isn't an issue. Plus to play devils advocate, imagine how you would feel if your DH did something which you were fearful would harm your baby, even though the risk was small or irrational - I imagine you would be really peeved that he didn't take your feelings into account? I think guys get so little input into the whole pg thing that whenever possible they should have a say and be involved, and maybe this is one small way you can make him feel like he is gestating this baby also?

Garbled I know but I should be working :) hope it all works out....

I coloured my hair myself throughout my pregnancy with Jesse. I did try and stretch it out as long as i could but yeh i did and never had any problems. I know some people say if youre worried to get foils done as they are done away from your scalp? So perhaps you could try those if its worrying you?

i coloured my hair at 10 weeks. I had a semi permanent (from blonde to brown) and also blonde foils. Had my scan 2 weeks later and everything was perfect! I would mention it to your hairdresser just so they are aware!

Thanks again everyone and of course I want to hear everyone's opinion. I haven't done it yet and am having second thoughts. Mum2Furbabies don't think you are being a negative nelly and I think I will check the health food shop to see what is available.

Roryrory, I think DH would be disappointed if I did it and like you, the only reason I am doing it is for vanity. Maybe I can get a hat or scarf for the pics after birth LOL. I just hope in the meantime that more greys don't come out of the woodwork!

I'm already nervous about my little bundle so would feel dreadful if something went wrong.

Phew, didn't want to be taken the wrong way! Hehe.

And just to clarify. I don't think hair dye has any impact on the baby's journey in the womb or cause defects etc, nothing extreme like that. Just that in pregnancy you are creating a whole new person (duh - sorry to state the obvious) and so I think its important to make sure only the best building blocks go into the creation of a human. What is done during pregnancy will not only affect the baby up till its born - their cells and dna formed in the womb will be with them their whole life!! (well technically not the cells...most of them are continually replaced...but you know what I mean...)

Hi

There is a thread called "Dieing my Hair" in the First Trimester General discussion too.

I am blond and had some foils done recently (at about 9 weeks). I wasn't going to get anything done but a trim but my hairdresser uses an organic product with no chemicals and my hair came up great! I felt so lovely at the end of it too.

I personally don't think there's any harm if you use an organic product and most hairdressers stock them these days.

Bindy xx

I am one who doesn't dye my hair in pregnancy. I'm the same as Mum2Furbabies.. I see development in the womb as such an important time.

The research I did when pg with Tallon basically said that there was no conclusive evidence that it goes through to the baby, but then it didn't say that it didn't either. I prefer to err on the side of caution. hehe.

I don't think anyone is expecting obvious deformities to come from the dye chemicals.. so those that say they have perfect babies after dying their hair - sorry, doesn't convince me LOL. Not saying they're not perfect! But i'm just saying we don't know if any harm is done on an unseen level iykwim. Just like - why do we avoid caffeine? Not because of massive obvious deformities.. but because there's a risk of altering the babies heartrate and respiratory system. However slight, it's an easy thing to stay away from. Caffeine, alcohol, hair dyes etc.. they're a small sacrifice for me :) And you can always pamper yourself once the baby is born :)

I feel like they will have a lifetime of exposure to this toxic environment as it is.. I like to try and keep the womb a nice clean place with as few chemicals as possible. I'm careful with what I put on skin fullstop when I'm pg.. soaps, creams, tanning creams etc. They all go out the door when I'm pg.

But yeah, that's just me :) Everyone does what they're comfortable with.

:

---

I also dyed my hair several times during my last pregnancy, with permanent colours too. The reason why I had to dye so many times was because pregnancy hormones changed my hair, and it wouldnt hold onto the dye, and half of the colour would just wash out in water! (so I walked around with washed out orange hair a lot of the time, instead of dark red, LOL :doh:)

---

Hi, I'm an ex-hairdresser...here's something that isn't commonly known about hair colors.

Red fades a lot faster than any other color purely because the pigment molecules are actually much smaller than those of black, brown etc and the hair can't hold it very well. This also happens faster than normal if the hair is very porous to start with (ie has been prelightened) before the red has been applied.

As for not coloring your hair when you're pregnant, I colored mine throughout my first pregnancy and will continue to do so with #2. I believe that hair coloration products are fine, as long as you don't eat them. :D

That aside, I've cut caffiene and alcohol from my diet as well....I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke either, so that's a good thing I guess, especially for an ex-smoker!!

Liz, yes you are right, each to their own during their pregnancies. There is a lot of hype these days on "what not to do". I've spoken to many women in their 50's and none of "what not to do" was around years ago like what is around today. I just know that the hair dye doesn't even touch my scalp, only my hair. It's got no odour or anything. I think if dye was to touch my scalp, I "may" worry a little.

I don't drink caffeine at all although one of my friends is pregnant and drinks Coke and Coke Zero all the time, I just don't think I could do it and prefer to be careful with caffeine and that sort of stuff.

I'm not perfect and eat healthy and occasionally lash out on something a little unhealthy but I think you've put it well in saying it will have a life time of toxic exposure and if you can give your baby the best care you can whilst it's growing, surely that's so important!

Bindy xx ;)

I remember years ago hearing that it is safer to use lighter colours during pregnancy and avoid the strong blacks and browns, something to do with a dye. Funny that always stuck. Hence I am caramel.

I dye my hair but I don't dye my hair while I am pregnant. Yeah I look shocking (well I think so). It's only 10 months and I wouldn't risk it. Having said that. My hairdresser said I'm being super paranoid because she has had 3 bubs and worked right up to the end with all of them so she is exposed to it all day everyday. I have lots of friends who dye their hair when preg and all is fine.

I still dye my hair... In fact, I had it done yesterday. A full head of colour and foils. I dont really worry about it because the salon I go to use Aveda products which are made from plant extracts (so no bleach or peroxide). The price is ok too $110 for full colour. If you are worried but still want your hair done I would recomend looking for an Aveda salon! wow, that sounded like a commercial!

I aksed my Ob last appt & he said it was fine to dye your hair while pg.

It is good to hear everyone's stories and opinions. I have decided I can wait to dye my hair until December when bub arrives and if nothing else, it will be very interesting to see how many grey hairs I actually have and what my normal hair colour is! LOL.

LOL Tinsel - when I finally went and had a colour put in .. I said to the hairdresser I was worried my regrowth would be grey - and she said.. "oh, you only have a few there".. what the??? LOL. She was supposed to tell me there were NO greys! :rolleyes:

:

---

Tinsel I gotta go against the grain here too - I firmly believe if not dyeing your hair is something that is really important to your DH, despite him having read all the info about how it is okay, then you should weigh up your desire to dye your hair against his fears and think about it in the context of your relationship with him. I am in the same situation as you - I am comfortable with it, DH is not, but because my desire to dye is due to vanity alone ( and his concerns are for the safety of our babe, I feel his needs/desires/fears deserve to be listened to, and so I won't dye my hair. There are going to be many things in parenting that one of you will be comfortable with and the other won't - personally I think that sometimes for the sake of the relationship you need to listen to the other person's concerns and sometimes concede, even though personally you think it isn't an issue. Plus to play devils advocate, imagine how you would feel if your DH did something which you were fearful would harm your baby, even though the risk was small or irrational - I imagine you would be really peeved that he didn't take your feelings into account? I think guys get so little input into the whole pg thing that whenever possible they should have a say and be involved, and maybe this is one small way you can make him feel like he is gestating this baby also?

Garbled I know but I should be working :) hope it all works out....

---

I agree, my dh didn't want me to dye my hair either (or foil it)so i didn't and even though i felt like i looked terrible as the blonde grew out and my natural brown came through, it was about respecting his feelings, as i know he would if i was really passionate about something. That being said, this was something i was willing to comprimise on as i knew how he felt about it and i knew i could survive 10 months of dodgey looking hair. But if this is really bothering you perhaps you could speak to him again about how much it means to you and go over the research together?

Hey
I died my hair through both this baby and my and my 2 year old .. my Dh hated the idea he has some weird thought that instead of coming out with both out blonde hair it will come out black lol :S .. Soo when i went to see my Ob she said there was no harm to baby by dying you hair .. oh and my 2 year old is blonde as blonde can be so it doesnt change there hair lol

My OB says it perfectly fine too! i had dyed my hair just before i got pg, with a base and foils..! The base was same color pretty much as my own hair... so i may not dye the base, but i will definitely fix the foils up! :)

Foils are a good option if you are are a bit worried -as the chemicals don't touch the scalp when brushed on....

Hi Darl....

Just to put some professional advise on this question that nearly every pregnant woman thinks about...

I am a hairdresser, currently 19 weeks pregnant and have been dying my hair and clients hair for quite some time now. The old wives tale is NOT to dye your hair, because one ingredient was abestos and not safe for pregnant women to put on their heads. I can't remember what years that was now, but it was like over 60yrs ago! Now days it is no longer used as a ingredient - for obvious reasons.

My rule of thumb is with clients is.... At the end of the day it's your decision! It's only sitting on your head, than being washed off. Your not eating it! And as most of you would be thinking i am in contact with it on a daily basis, smell it all day long. GP and obs have said nothing about it. If they felt it was unsafe i would have been advised to not be at work - especially after all the fertility treatment we had to fall pregnant.

Hi Darl....

Just to put some professional advise on this question that nearly every pregnant woman thinks about...

I am a hairdresser, currently 19 weeks pregnant and have been dying my hair and clients hair for quite some time now. The old wives tale is NOT to dye your hair, because one ingredient was abestos and not safe for pregnant women to put on their heads. I can't remember what years that was now, but it was like over 60yrs ago! Now days it is no longer used as a ingredient - for obvious reasons.

My rule of thumb is with clients is.... At the end of the day it's your decision! It's only sitting on your head, than being washed off. Your not eating it! And as most of you would be thinking i am in contact with it on a daily basis, smell it all day long. GP and obs have said nothing about it. If they felt it was unsafe i would have been advised to not be at work - especially after all the fertility treatment we had to fall pregnant.

So ladies.... why have greys showing when you can carry off the full glowing look with beautiful hair!
And your right DH won't even notice - has he noticed before?

Good Luck with convincing DH

Love Kirby
xoxo

and for this reason alone

"It's only sitting on your head, "

i had foils and reacted to the chemicals - i will never have foils or a colour done whilst pregnant of breast feeding

I chose to not colour my hair at all the whole time I was preggers and I still haven't done it again yet and bubs is 3½ months old. For me it was a personal choice about avoiding any non essential chemical exposure (had DF use the oven spray and bathroom cleaner, didn't use artificial sweetners, avoided food additives, 'E-numbers' and MSG, etc) but I know masses of people who guzzle diet sodas and colour their hair every 4 weeks and as far as we can tell so far, their kids are OK.

It's up to you what you choose but I personally think that giving up hair dye for 9 months is a very small sacrifice to make for ones baby.

Hi,

I dont know if this has been said already but it has been found that the hair colour chemicals do end up in your urine after colouring. (Not sure how true it is but it was on a web site about danger of chemicals.)

I have been a hairdresser for over 10 years and I have not heard any bad reports, but I am only colouring my hair in thick foils and painting the colour on the roots neat my part. (all colour kept off my scalp.)

If I do decide to colour my hair to the scalp I am lucky to do it once a trimester. 2nd and 3rd only.