Hair Color

Updated on May 29, 2007
H.K. asks from Columbus, OH
22 answers

Are there any hair color products out there that will cover gray that are safe for me to use while pregnant? I've heard that henna is safe, but I've also heard that it's not good on gray hair. I'm at least 30% prematurely gray. And seeing as I'm only 27, I'd prefer to be able to cover it.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. (Please don't say "leave it gray", however.)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks for all the advice everyone!! I've decided to use something gentle, but wait until I'm through with the first trimester. :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.J.

answers from Columbus on

I colored my hair from day 1 with both my pregnancies. That is just a myth. Good luck and congrats on the new addition.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Cincinnati on

After my first trimester, I had my hair colored through the rest of my pregnancy. My hairdresser did use a gentler lifter and brand on me so that the smell wouldn't bother me, but that was it.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.F.

answers from Toledo on

it is pure myth.....You can color your hair while pregnant. this myth started years and years ago when the products were so strong that they went straight through the skin and absorbed in to blood stream. dye it dye it dye it

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Dayton on

H.,
I really don't know much about hair color, other than when I was pregnant, instead of using all over color, I would have hilights which hid my gray pretty well.

Secondly, if you ever feel like you need relationship support, I work for an organization that offers free relationship enrichment classes all over the Dayton area. We also provide free dinner and childcare during the classes. We also have free support groups, counseling, and wedding planning, too.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Cleveland on

medically speaking, dying your hair does not do anything to the baby, they just say to not dye it because of all of your homones and the vitamins and basically all the changes in chemicals going on in your body can cause the color to not turn out the color you wanted, that is all, there is no big hair color conspiracy

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Toledo on

Hi H.,

I dyed my hair one time while I was pregnant and nothing happened to me or my baby. I used the same kind I always use. Personally, I didn't have any issues and would say just dye it, but everyone is different. I would think as long as you don't do it all the time or to much you should be just fine. Good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I would talk to the ladies at Salley's beauty supply about it. They would probably know. I too am just 28(as of this month) with white on 30% of my head. Thankfully I am blonde(dark ash blonde naturally...golden blonde via bottle) so for now it just looks like highlights. I blame my husband for every one of those white hairs....ok the kids probably put a few there. Although, the bible says its a crown of glory and a sign of wisdom. I still feel like I have a lifetime of things to learn though, so not sure I agree yet. Anyways, those ladies have always been a big help to me with different hair issues I have faced. Personally, I stuck with the norm when I was pregnant. OB said none of it was anything that could hurt and all three of my babies are healthy and beautiful. And the only health issues they have are all things that run in our family. Tonsils needing be taken out, The need for glasses for lazy eye, that stuff. hope this helps. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.D.

answers from Dayton on

According to my ob/gyn, you are able to use hair color products in a well-ventilated area when pregnant. I have gotten my hair highlighted every 4 months each time I was pregnant and my 2 kids were born fine! I would double check with your dr., but I am sure you are fine to use whatever.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.

answers from Cincinnati on

Congrats on the Baby H.! I too am prematurely gray have been since a very young age. If you are only 27 please DON"T go gray. I had 3 babies and colored my hair the whole time with all of them, they are all perfectly healthy. I too was concerned and spoke to many people. I got all kinds of conflicting aadvice.

I could not afford to go to the beauty shop every other week! my hair grows fast naturally and with the prenatal vitamins and the hormones It was crazy. I did at one time after my last go grey I was tired of coloring. I kept my hair Grey for almost 2 years and never got use to seeing myself in the mirror.

Take care,
J.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.

answers from Dayton on

When I was expecting, I tried to let it go and then a month or so before delivering, I took a good look in the mirror. It made me sad to think about my baby meeting me with a big old white skunk stripe. So I asked my OB-GYN and she told me that as long as it is after the first trimester it should be fine. She did caution that ammonia based dyes might be too strong as far as fumes go. I think I used Nutrisse or another no-ammonia hair dye, and I was glad I did.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Youngstown on

My mother is a hairstylist along with a couple of my friends. Any hair color IS SAFE during pregnancy. The myth that you should not color your hair while pregnant is just as unreasonable as you should not get a perm while on your period. Most dr's will say not to because the amonia in the color can make you feel sick. One of my friends has had 3 successfull pregnancies while being a full time hair stylist - cutting, coloring, perming all of it. To limit the possible nausia, look for a low amonia brand. Paul Mitchell's coloring products (salon only) have very low amonia content and give great coverage. I'm 24 and have gray's, it covers mine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I am a hairstylist and I can tell you that henna is not good on grey nor your hair. I can also tell you that for color to be bad for you AND the unborn baby you would need to drink gallons of the developer!!!! If you are that uncomfortable with coloring your hair and your grey then I would use a semi-permanet hair color. Like OTC is loving care (I think) at my work we use Wella's color touch.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Yep, my Dr.told me the same thing. After the first trimester he felt it was fine. I have 3 kids and colored my hair w/both of them. The all came out just fine. My dr. always said if it made me feel better go ahead.

S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Dayton on

Hair color during preganacy is fine. You can have highlights or all over color with any type of hair dye with no problems. All that mess about not using it is a major old wives tale.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.S.

answers from Dayton on

Herbavita has all natural color products. They claim to be able to color gray hair. I'm sorry I've never used them but my sister does and loves it. She has naturally 'dirty' blonde hair and it colors it wonderfully. I'd assume if it can color her blonde hair it would color gray. Good luck! I hope you find one that works for you but also doesn't cause any risk to your baby. I think it's great that you're considering things like this, so many don't. You can find Herbavita colors at http://www.natural-living.com/herbatint_dye.php

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.

answers from Cleveland on

By all means color away! My doctor also said it was safe to color after the first trimester is over. Just don't use a bleach. I have more and more grey and I used Garnier Nutrisse. You have to make sure you get it into the roots really well, separate the hair into small sections. If there is someone who can do it for you it is much easier as I did my own once and the next time the person doing it said the back wasn't covered very well.

CZ

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.

answers from Dayton on

My doctor said the current products shouldn't be absorbed into the blood stream enough to affect the baby. She said the safest thing was to go with highlights, but if you do it yourself store products are just fine.

You can always ask your doctor at your next ob-gyn appointment if you want complete peace of mind, but that's what my doctor said (and my babies were fine).

PS - I've always had a complete white streak at one of my temples. Isn't it goofy how we get gray before we can even think of collecting social security? Best wishes for you and your baby.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Dayton on

My ob said that anytime after the first tri-mester was fine to get your hair coloured, as long as it was done in a well-ventilated salon. I don't normally go there, but Michael's at Cross Pointe was exceptionally well-ventilated. They did a beautiful job too.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.S.

answers from Dayton on

You can actually dye your hair when you are pregnant. I did and my daughter was fine. If you want something natural though I heard that there are some "dyes" that you can get at Health Foods Unlimited. A coworker of mine uses it because the chemical's in the other dyes aggravate her migraines. It covers her grey fine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am prematurely gray too, and I get my hair highlighted professionally. I've found that even the permanent color doesnt stay on gray for more than a week or two. As far as color out of a box, I've never had much success, and I think I've tried them all. Even the ones that say for gray coverage only lasts a couple weeks. As far as safe for pregnancy....I'm not much help. I've always just colored my hair. My kids all turned out fine. Good luck and I hope you find something you like. If not, I'm sure you're just as beautiful gray as you are colored.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Canton on

As long as you're in 2nd or 3rd trimester, using hair color (of any kind) is safe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Columbus on

henna doesn't cover my gray that well, but it does cover it. It takes about 2-3 times to cover my gray. The big downside is time. I have to leave it on my hair for about 4 hours for the color to look the way I want. I wear an itchy shower cap and clean the house on henna days.

Using different ingredients can change the way the henna sticks. Clove, black tea will make it darker. Chamomile will lighten. I am not sure which you are wanting, but unless your hair is naturally black I recommend natural or red henna. The black is good for drawing on your skin.

This place sells henna, but had some basic information. You can get re-mixed, but I get the powered so I can use my own add ins.

http://www.hennabycynthia.homestead.com/FAQ.html

If the henna isn't working or is too time consuming, please have someone help you color your hair. Use a low-ammonia brand (it will say on the box) and sit outside (or in some well ventilated space) while it processes.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches