Unnatural color hair dye semi-rant?

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

So, I got the okay from my gynecologist (checking with OB at my appointment Monday, but gyno used to do OB work) to keep dying my hair through my pregnancy but not to bleach, but I keep getting told not to dye my hair by people once in a while because it might hurt the baby.

The thing is I've checked and double checked with my gynecologist, and I'm getting driven nuts. I'm ultra careful when I dye my hair , never mess with my roots (they're four inches long anyway). On top of that, I don't use chemical dyes!!! I only dye my hair once every three to four months on top of that!

I'd appreciate it if someone would help me understand the comments I'm getting about hair dye use and learning disabilities or any other things that could occur that I don't know about or couldn't get anyone to explain to me because they "just know" that hair dye was tied into it. Is anyone here educated on this? I feel obligated to know for my babies sake...and if it proves to be fine, for no other reason than to be able to defend myself for my choices in hair dye.

I apologize for going on so long and I hope this doesn't annoy anyone or start any arguments. I really just need factual answers if anyone knows anything on this subject.

[Deleted User] · August 2014

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junebugjam · August 2014

No ones going to be able to give you a clear cut "yes it's safe" or "no it isn't" because there are doctors and research that say one thing and others that say differently.

Do what you're comfortable with. If the comments are bothering you that much, maybe it means you're second guessing yourself.

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

I'm just so annoyed because I do everything I can to be safe and nobody understands that I'm so paranoid about safety for my baby. I'm 22 and stupid, so they think. I think what gets me is it's always based on the colors I use, like 'oh her hair is pink, so it must be terrible for the baby'.

slezpass · August 2014

I use manic panic on my ends (I used to work for them as well) which is pretty much a vegan dye...I use a 10vol with RR on my roots (I kinda have an ombre of purplish/burgundy into vampire red)...my dr (at a maternal fetal medicine unit at the hospital) says its ok to continue coloring my hair...just make sure you are in a ventilated room and wearing gloves...I'm 37, have my crazy colored hair, and my arms are covered in tattoos...don't let these others opinions of you even phase you... everyone is judgemental and because we look "alternative" we are judged harsher...keep doing you and as long as you are trying to be safe and keep your baby safe you are already excellinh at being a kick ass mom!!

foxslaw · August 2014

Special effects is also a safe dye that has so many amazing colors! You have to order it online. Is it a vegan stain? Not sure. It works really well for Sherri Dupree-Bemis, though.

Keep your chin up & don't let the man get you down. I would have pink hair right there with ya if my job allowed it.

apgruman · August 2014

Alternative moms for the win! >-) don't let anyone guilt you into anything. You have to do what's right for you and your child.

krysmill · August 2014

My sister is a hair stylist and I'm getting my hair colored next week! Her salon just started to carry an organic color line so I'm going to try that! Its supposed to have less chemicals than normal dyes and smell less! I was always told its the fumes that will bother you when your pregnant and that you should wait till 2nd tri to color! So I'm in 2nd tri and this hair is getting colored! Just make sure your in a well ventilated place!

Izzy0927 · August 2014

I literally just left the hair salon and got my color refreshed. I've been opting for glazes ever 6 weeks or so because they're not as harsh as dyes+bleach (just a color deposit). I researched it on my own, and talked to a few hairdressers who have all have been pregnant while working and coloring their own hair, and I'm comfortable with my decision. People will always criticize you for doing anything short of sitting in a bubble for 9 months.

But here's a tip- if you don't engage with people when they start to comment on you choices/decisions, there's not much a fight to be had. Just walk away.

cls78 · August 2014

**gynecologist

hummingbird813 · August 2014

Sitting at the salon getting my hair done right now!

AmberJeanne1993 · August 2014

I personally use Splat luscious raspberry temporary color and it has no fumes. I'm assuming it has chemicals, being a dye, and it stains my scalp something fierce. I'm going to ask my OB just to be sure but I think it'll be okay. I'm not very aware of the serious defects associated but I think these temporary colors would pose less of a threat?

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

@cls78‌ fixed it! Thought I put the right thing but sometimes I miss it when I'm arguing with my phone's keyboard lol

Hernsy · August 2014

I got my hair done just yesterday. I think you have to consider the source. Who is telling you NOT to color your hair? Total strangers or people 1. Not a doctor or 2. Not hairstylists? My MD said it's fine (& sounds like yours did too). It's his job to make sure I have the healthiest baby possible. His livelihood & passion rests on delivering healthy babies. I've seen the same stylist for years. We're friends. There's no way she would let me do something she knows or thinks would hurt my baby.

Now let's look at it logically. How many stylists do you know who have had healthy babies & dyed their own hair? How many stylist do you know that quit their job for 9 months because being around hair dye is bad for their own unborn babies? None. In fact, my salon has quite a few "younger" stylists who have all had babies, dyed their hair, dyed their clients hair, & been around others getting their hair dyed (the fumes) multiple times a day, every day while pregnant.

Don't let people make you question your decisions, just because they bought into some hype. You've talked to the people you should consider the specialist & you have done your product research. And DEFINITELY don't let them question your individuality!!

AshleySparkle720 · August 2014

I'd look like a crazy person if I didn't keep getting my hair done. I'd say as long as you're comfortable and you use all of the necessary precautions you're just fine

acpruchnik · August 2014

I'm a cosmetologist and I've never heard of coloring your hair leading to learning disabilities. You're doing fine coloring your hair as often as you do and if you're really concerned, use a color with no PPD. Every brand has PPD free options (it's only in permanent colors anyway) and that's the chemical that typically causes any reactions that people have. Testing for a PPD reaction is why salons are supposed to require a predisposition test/patch test. If you're using a demi-permanent color and it's not touching, or even touching, your scalp then you really have nothing to worry about other than fumes. As long as you're not sitting in a bathroom the whole time you're processing then you don't have to worry about the fumes being dangerous, and that applies pregnant or not. As for bleach, until about a month ago, I was platinum blonde and my OB just told me to keep it at least 3/4 of an inch off my scalp (which is what I did anyway cos I don't like bleach actually on my scalp and it dries me out really bad when it's on there).

You're doing just fine and don't let anyone get to you and make you think otherwise. Being 22 and pregnant was terrible and I had to deal with the same thing. People gave me so much input that I didn't want and it drove me crazy! But, being 27 and pregnant is proving to be pretty similar regardless of having a 4 year old. I guess people think I've forgotten how to manage a pregnancy and a newborn lol

Mommalawyer · August 2014

I used to do hair professionally. I worked with women who were pregnant and did hair color/bleach/perms. Their children were fine. This is my 2nd pregnancy. With my first, I bleached and colored my hair (by a professional) and she's fine. I don't know if you're doing it yourself with stuff from the supermarket or getting it done professionally, but you should be fine baby wise. I'd recommend against using stuff from a supermarket, cause you could end up with some serious problems color wise and end up at the salon getting it fixed...... That's not always the case, but I've seen it happen more than once.

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

@Mommalawyer‌ no supermarket dyes here. I get all my dyes from Sally Beauty Supply and research my dyes before buying. Right now I'm stocked up on Ion Color Brilliance Brights and a few containers of Manic Panic. I always cover my hair while I wait for the dye to take and stay in a place I can get some fresh air, applying heat for short intervals to help the color seep in. I also prefer to dilute the color brilliance dyes with conditioner because it's too thick to me. And since my hair is already bleached and toned to platinum/white underneath the dye, it takes perfectly every time. Afterward I rinse out until it runs almost clear and then apply a cholesterol cream for 15 minutes with heat to help refresh my hair after dying it, also while in a well ventilated space, then rinse again and I'm all done.

mamabumkin · August 2014

I've been coloring my own hair for about 16 years. I do it at home with salon products that I buy at Sally's beauty supply store. With my DD (15 yo) I bleached and dyed my hair very blonde (I'm naturally a dark dirty blonde) and kept it touched up every 4 weeks during my whole pregnancy. With my son a couple years later I had shaved my hair off in a pixie cut (regret that big time--never again!) and was bright blonde. Both of my teenagers are normal, no learning disabilities -- in fact my daughter is very bright, my son -- is average.

I actually just bleached my hair last week, but I used a mild beach (not the blue powder) it was a lightener that lifted up to 8 levels and I only used 30 lift developer. I also didn't put it down near my scalp since my hair had grown out the last 3 months pretty well. I was going from red to light brown, so I did have to get the red out. I don't remember what brand it was that I used...it was a newer brand that I had never used before for color, but it didn't have that horrible smell to it like most colors do. I did my hair in the bathroom with the door open and a fan on.

I'm not too worried about it. I'll probably only color my hair once more before I give birth, since my color now is pretty close to my natural color and grow out won't be too noticeable.

Oddly I've never had anyone say anything about my hair or coloring it while pregnant. I am always amazed how people judge others with oddly colored hair, like pink, purple, blue, whatever color, just because it's different. I've done some wild colors in my years. I had jet black with stripes of different colors through it. I've had pink, purple, green, blue, and fire engine red. People like to express opinions about the way other people looks. My response to negative a-holes who feel compelled to share their thoughts is usually "If I wanted your opinion I'd give it to you." That usually shuts them up and insults them enough to leave me alone.

My doctors have never had a problem with hair color, even the permanent kind, as long as it is done in a well ventilated area. I have two normal children. So I don't know if I buy the whole idea that learning disabilities are caused or influenced by hair coloring.

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

@mamabumkin‌ really and truly, it ticked me off more than anything that I was being questioned over my choices and knowledgeability. I trust the doc I was going to and if she thought something at all could go wrong, she would have said so. I just don't understand how it is people always think they know better than the doctor.

mamabumkin · August 2014

It's because people hear something somewhere from someone and they think it's the gospel and everything else is wrong. I've had arguments with people where I had a ton of proof that the factual evidence was supported and accurate yet they continued to believe what they wanted to believe...example--an argument over if Vitamin C could kill you. All evidence points to no. Yet news clip on TV 18 years ago that had some sort of wonky study saying Vitamin C was bad for you was all the proof this person needed. Even poison control was wrong apparently. People are stupid and like to spread their stupid opinions. Can't fix stupid.

christenld · August 2014

I'm so glad I haven't gotten any of these questions yet! The only people who have asked about it is my SO and mum, and both were satisfied that I had done research and asked and that it was okay. I dye mine bright red, and probably would go a little more crazy except I fear that my wardrobe would start to clash! Plus, I don't really like my boss and don't want to run crazy colors by him.

I am dreaming of this color though...one day.

And not to hijack the thread, but when I first found out I was pregnant, for some reason I got obsessed with the idea that my hair needed to be a normal, natural color. I don't know why. To the extent that I died it dark brown to cover up the red. Then a couple of weeks later I decided that was ridiculous and went back red (so now my bright red is a lot darker, unfortunately). I guess I felt like I was going to have to go "traditional" mommy and suddenly wondered if I should let my piercings grow up as well. That thought didn't last but a few weeks though.

TheStormCloudAngel · August 2014

@christenld‌ I thought about going natural too but I ended up deciding I love my colors too much and letting my roots go for the duration of the pregnancy is good enough. The only thing is having to blend my colors down so it goes dark to light lol. Besides our babies will love us no matter how crazy our hair color is!

Also, I love the purple. I did that exact shade for a while and it is my second favorite, first being turquoise.

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