Green-haired doctor goes wild at virtual NBA game
At Children’s Wisconsin, Dr. David Margolis’ patients dye his hair green before Milwaukee Bucks games. That tradition hasn’t stopped even when in-person attendance has.
Sportskind, USA TODAY
There are numerous dos and don’ts to keep in mind during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers must avoid specific foods and medications to protect their babies from potential harm caused by certain chemicals.
But what about hair dye?
Most hair dyes contain ammonia, peroxide, and paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Some pregnant women worry that these chemicals can seep through the scalp and harm their growing baby, according to Dr. Danielle Levy, an OB-GYN at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, New York. However, is it safe to dye your hair while pregnant? Here’s what you need to know.
Can you dye your hair while pregnant?
“The answer is yes,” says Levy. “However, there are considerations to take into account based on the individual’s goals and concerns.”
Research indicates that dyeing hair during pregnancy is safe for the fetus, as per the NHS. A 2008 article published in the medical journal Canadian Family Physician states that hair dye chemicals have very limited systemic absorption in humans, unless there is scalp injury, indicating that these chemicals are unlikely to harm a fetus. However, more research is needed.
For some pregnant women, the limited evidence is enough for them to choose not to dye their hair, says Levy. She adds, “If you want to be extra cautious, you can always wait until the first trimester is over.” The first trimester is a critical period of fetal growth and development when major organs are forming.
What can you do instead of dyeing your hair while pregnant?
If expectant mothers feel uncomfortable dyeing their hair as they normally would in the first trimester, there are alternatives available to them.
One option is to change how the hair dye is applied. Levy suggests, “If you do want to dye your hair … but you’re feeling scared, you can potentially just dye the ends or a small section away from the scalp.”
A second option is to switch to different types of hair dye. Levy recommends discussing with a hair stylist the use of plant-based dyes or ammonia-free products to minimize exposure to certain chemicals.
Do doctors advise pregnant individuals to avoid other hair treatments?
There are various hair treatments available for different hair types, but the general consensus is that expectant mothers do not need to avoid any specific hair treatments, according to Levy.
As long as the hair treatment does not cause an adverse reaction, such as a severe allergic reaction or asthma attack for the mother, it should not negatively impact the baby, she adds.
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