Can I colour my hair when pregnant?

There is no dearth of women who shy away from styling or colouring their hair when they are pregnant. This is because whatever you put on your scalp eventually gets absorbed by the body.

If it's chemicals that you are putting there, there are good chances that these may get absorbed into the body and get transferred to the fetus through the blood. This can put the health of the baby in jeopardy and therefore is not recommended.

However, it is not necessary for you to forgo all beauty treatments when you are pregnant. There are certain treatments that may be deemed safe by your medical practitioner.

According to the NHS in the UK, "most research, although limited, shows it's safe to colour your hair while pregnant. Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared with the very low amount of chemicals a woman is exposed to when colouring her hair."

While it is best to avoid any chemical exposure during pregnancy due to the limited studies done, if you must dye your hair, it is recommended that you do so only after the first trimester is over. Holding it off till the baby's organs have begun developing can avoid the risk of harmful effects on the baby.

To reduce the risk even further, opt for products that are chemical free. If you're colouring your hair yourself, you can reduce the risk further by making sure you:
1. wear gloves
2. leave the dye on for the minimum time
3. work in a well-ventilated room
4. rinse your scalp once the dye is applied

It is also always a good idea to do a strand test first, using the hair dye or treatment you intend to use. Speak to your hairdresser for advice. For further readings on hair treatments during pregnancy, read this article