Dye or Bleach Hair During Pregnancy
A: In general, hair dye and bleach are considered low-risk during pregnancy when the products are used as directed. Available evidence has not shown that hair coloring or bleaching meaningfully increases the risk of birth defects. However, "low-risk" does not mean "risk-free," since the available evidence is limited.
Pregnancy hormones can affect the hair and skin in several ways. Some women notice changes in the texture or condition of their hair during pregnancy, while increased hair shedding is common in the months following delivery. Hair can also respond differently to coloring, bleaching, perming, or other chemical services than it did before pregnancy.
Pregnancy can make some women more prone to skin irritation, and some women find that the odors from hair-coloring or bleaching products become nauseating and intolerable during pregnancy. However, a strong chemical smell does not necessarily mean that you are being exposed to a dangerous level of chemicals.
If you choose to color or bleach your hair during pregnancy, normal precautions include using the product in a well-ventilated area, avoiding unnecessary contact with the scalp or skin, wearing appropriate gloves, and following the manufacturer's instructions for application and processing time. As an alternative to overall coloring or bleaching, using highlights, lowlights, and similar techniques that keep the product off the scalp can further reduce contact.
A patch test is important because it's possible to develop a sensitivity or allergy to hair-coloring products even if you have used them without problems before pregnancy. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for performing the test and observe the recommended waiting period. If you develop redness, itching, or another reaction, do not use that product. Keep in mind that a negative patch test can reduce concern about a reaction, but it can never guarantee that a reaction will not occur during the full treatment.
A strand test involves treating a small strand of hair with the product you or your stylist intend to use. This can help you and your stylist assess how the hair reacts and what color result you'll get.
Some women prefer to wait until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy before coloring their hair. This is a personal precaution rather than a recommendation based on evidence that ordinary hair coloring during the first trimester is harmful. Current guidance considers hair coloring and bleaching to be low-risk when used appropriately.
You should distinguish hair coloring and bleaching from hair straightening or smoothing treatments. Certain straightening products can release formaldehyde when heated, so these treatments require separate consideration during pregnancy.
This answer is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice or a diagnosis, contact a doctor.
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See also:
Bleaching hair
Hair bleaching problems
Hair during pregnancy