If you have a hair dye appointment and have recently found out you’re pregnant, or you’re pregnant and don’t want to lose your identity so wish to continue dying your hair – then you may find that you have a lot of questions when it comes to what is and isn’t safe regarding colouring your hair when pregnant.

We get asked “is it safe to dye my hair when pregnant?” a lot. So, we’ve put together a helpful guide to help you make the personal decision of whether to continue dying your hair when pregnant or go au natural until your baby is born.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can lead to various changes in a woman's body, including changes to the hair. Common changes include:

Hair growth: Many women experience increased hair growth during pregnancy due to higher levels of oestrogen. This can result in thicker, fuller hair, particularly on the head.

Hair loss: Some women experience hair loss during pregnancy, although more experience this in the first few months after giving birth. This is often due to the hormonal changes and stress on the body that can occur during this time.

Texture changes: Hormonal changes can also affect the texture of a woman's hair during pregnancy. For example, some women may experience dry or brittle hair, while others may experience oily or greasy hair.

Colour changes: In some cases, hormonal changes can also affect the colour of a woman's hair during pregnancy. For example, some women may notice their hair becoming darker or lighter than usual. It can also impact how the dye takes to your hair or you react to hair dye, should you choose to colour your hair when pregnant.

Hair dye contains chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, so there is some concern about the safety of using hair dye during pregnancy. While there is no clear evidence that hair dye is harmful to a developing foetus; historically some have recommend avoiding hair dye during the first trimester, when the baby's organs are developing. However, this is without thorough data backing the recommendation, and more so that the first trimester is a sensitive time with lots of changes happening to the body and pregnancy being higher risk in the early days.

If, following the first trimester, you choose to dye your hair during pregnancy, it's important to take certain precautions to minimise your exposure to the chemicals in hair dye.

For those that are dying their own hair, these may include:

·      Using a hair dye that is labelled "natural" or "organic”

·      Choosing a hair dye that does not contain ammonia or peroxide

·      Wearing gloves when applying hair dye to avoid skin contact

·      Applying the hair dye in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes

·      Not leaving the hair dye on for longer than recommended

However, taking the above into account, it’s recommended that if you are going to dye your hair, to go to a professional for the following reasons:

·      No need to touch the hair dye yourself

·      Professionals can apply the hair dye better than you would be able to at home

·      The fumes from hair dye is well ventilated in a salon

·      Professionals use products with higher-quality ingredients

·      If required, professionals can apply hair colour without touching the scalp/skin

According to the NHS, there is no clear evidence that using hair dye during pregnancy is harmful to the developing baby.

The NHS recommends the following guidelines for pregnant women who wish to dye their hair:

Wait until after the first trimester: To minimise any potential risks, it is recommended that pregnant women should avoid dying their hair during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Do a patch test: Pregnant women should always do a patch test before using any hair dye, regardless of the type of dye.



It's worth noting that some hairdressers may refuse to dye a pregnant woman's hair, so it's important to speak with them beforehand if you have any concerns. Ultimately, the decision to dye your hair during pregnancy is a personal one and should be made after considering the potential risks and benefits.

Charlie Milz Hair and Beauty’s Stance on Dying Hair When Pregnant

As mentioned, choosing to dye your hair is a personal choice. At Charlie Milz Hair & Beauty, we only encourage you to do things that you are comfortable with. However, our opinion is that dying your hair during your pregnancy is safe but please tell us beforehand that you’re expecting, and a patch test is a must before your appointment – even if you’ve had patch tests done with us previously.

You may feel more comfortable having balayage or foils so they dye doesn’t touch the scalp – all of this can be covered during a chat with the team.

It’s important to note that an appointment at the hairdressers is ‘you time’, so don’t deprive yourself of a pamper or having a treatment done that makes you feel more like yourself, during a time that you perhaps don’t feel yourself. We’ll take care of you and help you feel relaxed, whatever you have done to your hair.