Overall, there is no clear consensus among experts on whether or not hair dye can affect female egg quality. While some studies have suggested a potential link between hair dye exposure and decreased fertility, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of hair dye on female reproductive health.
The great news? During your IVF stimulation phase, you can color your hair and get your nails done safely. Our advice: Make sure you are in a well-ventilated spot since you may be more sensitive to fumes. Once pregnant, if coloring your hair, make sure to tell your hairdresser to avoid direct contact with your scalp.
Chemicals in hair dye
These hormone disrupters, the article explains, can affect how estrogen and other hormones act in the body. The hormone disrupters actually block or mimic estrogen and other hormones, and this phenomenon throws off the body's hormonal balance.
As hair dye sits on your scalp, chemicals are absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. Some of these chemical toxins are peed out, but some remain in the body for months, maybe longer.
The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. Most research, although limited, shows it's safe to colour your hair while pregnant.
To keep exposure to chemicals to a minimum, some doctors suggest that people wait until after their pregnancy to dye their hair. Others may recommend waiting until after the first trimester. If a person is using hair dye at home, they should try and keep the space well ventilated.
Wait until your second trimester
If you want to be cautious (and rest easier at night), wait until this critical period is over before reaching for the hair dye. “Many doctors recommend holding off on hair color until week 13 of your pregnancy, just to be safe,” Dr. Zanotti says.
If you dyed your hair before realizing you were pregnant, the risk of harming your unborn baby is low. You should still discuss it with your or your healthcare provider, so they can provide additional guidance if needed. Dye does contain chemicals, but very little is actually absorbed by the skin on your scalp.
Our best overall pick is Biolage Haircolor, a henna dye that's free from harmful chemicals including ammonia and PPD. We also love Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, which is free of ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PDD, phthalates, and gluten, plus the added benefit of being packed with hydrating ingredients.
Common issues for hair dyes specifically included skin problems. A number of chemicals in hair dyes are known to be skin sensitizers and can cause dermatitis or rashes. Respiratory problems are also common among salon workers. “And sometimes, it turns into a longer-term condition.
People with skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, should also refrain from using hair dyes to color their hair. In milder cases, permanent dyes can cause itching, skin irritation, redness, scalp irritation, or swelling on your scalp, chemical burns or other sensitive areas like your face and neck.
Hair dye side effects
However, sometimes dying your hair can do more damage to your strands and follicles than good. Because of the chemicals and types of hair dye that are available, and without a professional handling the service, it's very easy to damage your hair follicles inducing hair loss.
Can Hair Dye Cause Hair Loss? Hair dye cannot penetrate the scalp and reach the follicle where the hair grows. Therefore, hair dye cannot and does not cause hair loss, but it can precipitate hair breakage.
The vast majority of hair dyes include chemicals that affect the hormones in your body, so it's best to stop dying your hair before starting fertility drugs. There are organic, non-toxic hair dyes on the market, but as these can still contain some chemicals, it's best to avoid dying altogether to be on the safe side.
Is it safe to colour my hair while having fertility treatment? There are no studies to indicate having your hair coloured either leading up to or during fertility treatment will interfere with your chances of falling pregnant.
Natural dyes: henna & indigo
Henna's been around forever and is a tried and true non-toxic semi-permanent option. It won't damage your hair and real Henna contains no harmful ingredients.
The long and short of permanent vs semi vs demi permanent is this: Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously.
How can I deal with roots or greys naturally? The great thing about natural hair dye options is that they don't damage your hair so you can use them often to cover greys. Dry shampoo for dark hair can camouflage light roots and using a daily chamomile or calendula rinse in the shower can lighten dark roots gradually.
Human studies, however, show that exposure to these chemicals from hair dyes or hair products results in very limited systemic absorption, unless there are burns or abscesses on the scalp. Therefore, these chemicals are unlikely to reach the placenta in substantial amounts to cause harm to the unborn fetus.
Some people wonder if you can get your nails done during pregnancy since polishes and polish removers contain many chemicals. Most experts agree that manicures and pedicures are safe during pregnancy. If you go to a professional salon with good safety standards, you can enjoy some pampering while you're expecting.
'Yes, hairdressers can tell when you're pregnant and I'll tell you how,' she said. Samantha needs to be familiar with the client and their usual hair to note the differences that may be caused by pregnancy.
Skip keratin hair-straightening treatments during pregnancy. They contain harmful formaldehyde. You shouldn't need to change your shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, mousse, or blow-dry and curling-iron routine while you're expecting, unless you use prescription dandruff shampoo.
Dr. Dayal says that it's safe to go to salons even in the first trimester. She says some mothers who want to avoid all chemicals no matter how safe might want to put off beauty treatments until the second trimester and later.