Coloring hair during pregnancy

If you are pregnant and want to dye your hair, you will find numerous opinions on this project. But is it true that coloring your hair is sometimes bad for the unborn child? Are there actually any health risks or are today's products all suitable to address those Coloring hair during pregnancy?

Risks of hair coloring during pregnancy

Experts have tracked the matter down. How harmful is that Coloring hair during pregnancy? First of all: Experts came to the conclusion that all products that are used for such processes today are harmless. Conversely, however, that does not mean that they are healthy.

Chemical hair dyes (so-called oxidation hair dyes) contain aromatic amines such as P-phenylenediamine (also known as PPD). The German law states that PPD make up a maximum of 2 percent in a hair dye product and may only occur in combination with copper substances; only then is PPD considered to be actually harmless to health and also harmless.

However, if there are no coupling substances, allergies on the one hand and damage to the genetic material on the other hand can occur. It should be noted that in Germany there are not only clear guidelines, but the preparations are also regularly checked. Be careful with foreign products. If you are pregnant and want to dye your hair, you should therefore prefer to use German products.

Of course, that doesn't mean that hair coloring is one hundred percent harmless. Ultimately, the chemical (and toxic) substances not only get onto the hair and scalp, but of course also penetrate through these areas. For this reason, it cannot be completely ruled out that - when permanent coloring is applied - the toxins get into the bloodstream and then flow into breast milk.

It is also unclear whether there are any negative effects on the development of the newborn or child if pregnant or already breastfeeding women dye their hair. For this reason, you should refrain from coloring your hair - at least until the end of breastfeeding. Especially in the first three months of pregnancy, it is advisable not to use any hair coloring products at all (not even from Germany).

Are Natural Products Better?

Natural products can of course be a sensible alternative. But even those who opt for products on a natural basis do not rule out all the dangers and risks that are sometimes possible. For example, pesticide residues can very well be contained in natural products. Sometimes chemical substances may also be contained - even if the product has been labeled as a "natural product".

Those who rely on henna products must also expect that they contain color enhancers or PPD. Henna also contains Lawson pigment. Pigment Lawson is man-made and is also found in oxidation hair colors. Among other things, it is suspected of damaging the genetic makeup. The only real alternative is the henna dye when it is actually made from plants. There is definitely no danger here.

Tips for coloring hair during pregnancy

If you still want to color or at least tint your hair during pregnancy, you should not do it yourself, but rather visit a hairdresser. If you prefer to dye your hair yourself, you should consider the following tips: The hair dye should be of good quality. It is important that the pregnant woman pay attention to any additives.

Skin contact should be reduced to a minimum. Impermeable rubber gloves, which are used when the paint is being applied, are important. Under no circumstances should the dye act longer than necessary. The paint should be rinsed off thoroughly after dyeing.

Is an allergy test helpful?

Of course, hair dyes (chemical and also herbal!) Can trigger allergies in all phases of life. Reddening of the skin, swelling or severe itching are possible. For this reason, it is advisable that the preparation is only tested once on a small area of ​​skin at the beginning. The consumer can then see whether or not she reacts to the preparation.

However, such tests should be treated with caution. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has issued a warning that such self-experiments can very well increase the risk of an allergy. If consumers have any questions or concerns, they should not try themselves, but contact a dermatologist beforehand and only then dye their hair.

Bleaching, straightening and perming during pregnancy

Anyone who thinks that coloring the hair is the only beautification action that should be avoided during pregnancy is wrong. Chemicals are used when bleaching or straightening hair, including with a perm. These include formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (or oxidizing agents). It is advisable if pregnant women avoid direct use and use curlers, straighteners or a lemon.

Dyeing without remorse

Those who color their hair anyway should use natural products or at least wait for the first three months of pregnancy. It is better to contact a dermatologist before self-tests or seek advice from a hairdresser before dyeing the hair yourself. The fact is: pregnant women do not harm their unborn child if they dye their hair. Experts have already confirmed this view.