 Millions
of moms color their hair but deciding whether to color or
highlight ones hair while pregnant has many women wondering.
Expectant moms want to know if it is really is safe to use
chemicals and dyes. What are the risks and dangers involved
with traditional processing? Are there any alternatives? Experts
agree that certain chemicals in hair coloring products commonly
found on drug store shelves may harm one’s health as
well as put the fetus at risk.
If you want to make the most informed decision about coloring
hair when pregnant, understanding the straight facts about
chemical processing, and taking a close look at natural alternatives
to chemical hair dyes, can help.
Here’s what you need to know:
What the Experts Say about Chemical Processing
The traditional color process involves the use of harsh chemicals,
and some experts believe that oxidative hair dyes can be hazardous.
The American Cancer Society, the Harvard School
of Public Health and the American Journal of Epidemiology
have all conducted studies that suggest a link between chemical
hair dye and certain types of cancer.
Toxic chemicals and compounds such as resorcinol, paraphenylene-diamine
(PPD) and coal tar dyes have all been identified as carcinogenic
and mutagenic, and can cause a breakdown of the hair shaft.
For a woman who is pregnant, the effects may be even more
devastating—it could be harmful to the baby.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2005 study shows an
association between hair dye and pregnancy and the childhood
cancer neuroblastoma, but other studies tout the opposite.
Researchers from the American Pregnancy Association
believe that “it’s likely only a small amount of
any hair treatment chemicals are actually absorbed into a
woman’s system through her skin,” which is too minimal
to create a problem for the baby.
Hair Coloring Options While Pregnant
In general, expectant moms should not be breathing in fumes
associated with the typical chemical treatment. Doctors recommend
that women who are pregnant steer clear of toxic compounds
such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide for at least the first
three months of pregnancy. The reason for this is that some
chemicals may be linked to physical birth defects or genetic
defects in the fetus. According to WomensHealth.org,
a study in 1998 found that hair dye was associated with approximately
a 3 percent greater chance of a specific type of heart defect.
So what are the options?
Fortunately, there are some alternatives to chemical processing
for expectant moms. Natural hair dyes made with plant-based
ingredients, botanicals and vitamins can nourish the hair
while delivering rich, lustrous color from root to tip. These
products do not require stripping the hair of its natural
hue before depositing the new color because there is no need
for ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or harsh chemicals to complete
the process.
Semi-permanent dyes or natural coloring agents that are shampooed
into the hair without any stripping agents are usually safer
for women who are pregnant. Vegetable and plant-based dyes
such as henna and natural products that are free of harsh
chemicals are safe for expectant moms. When looking for alternatives
to chemical hair dye, these products offer a wealth of benefits
beyond standard chemical color treatments—whether it’s
at the salon, or from a box.
Words of Caution with Natural Hair Color
Even though natural hair color promises lots of benefits,
women do need to be cautious about selecting "natural"
hair color from the local drugstore or beauty counter. In
many cases, products that claim to be made with all natural
ingredients and botanicals still contain a significant amount
of toxic chemicals.
Almost all of the current hair dyes on the market are problematic.
The popular brands often use the “natural” label,
but a closer look at the ingredients will reveal a list of
artificial ingredients because many of these products use
PPD-based coloring agents. PPD is also a known allergen-which
is why many doctors tell pregnant women simply to avoid coloring
their hair altogether.
Other ingredients to steer clear of include: aminophenol,
sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, phthalates,
formaldehyde, phenyl methyl pyarzolone and DMDM hydantoin.
Some of these ingredients act as preservatives, while others
are used to enhance the effects of or activate other compounds
present in the formula. Coal tar is the most common ingredient
in hair dyes that are very dark in color, but does have the
ability to penetrate the skin. It’s important to look
for all of these ingredients when reviewing products that
claim to be “all natural” or “chemical free.”
Benefits of Natural Hair Dye for Pregnant Women
Natural hair dyes made without PPD, resorcinol, aminophenol
and artificial colors can deliver intense, rich color—as
intense as many synthetic dyes—without the harmful side
effects. These are usually quick and easy to apply, and semi-permanent
color can last 40 or more shampoo cycles. Other advantages
of natural hair color are that they:
- Fortify the hair with minerals
- Condition the hair from root to tip
- Keep hair healthy and strong by minimizing hair damage
- Do not require the use of ammonia to open the cuticle
in order to deliver color
- Offer many options in permanent or semi-permanent color
- Present a low risk of allergies
- Give a wide range of lush, natural-looking colors
Whether choosing natural, organic or vegetable dyes to color
your hair, it’s still important to review all of the ingredients
and make sure the color is free of some of known carcinogens
and toxins such as PPD, ammonia, peroxide and resorcinol.
Take the time to learn about hair coloring products that work
by helping the hair absorb color and deliver nutrients and
minerals that can protect and nourish hair during the coloring
process, and will not negatively affect a developing fetus.
Jeff Greaves is the President and CEO of Advanced Cosmetic
Technologies www.actnaturals.com
and has over 20 years’ experience in the natural food
coloring and flavor industry. Applying his extensive knowledge
of plants and their natural capacity as colorants was a logical
step to creating Advanced Cosmetic Technology’s permanent
hair color and semi-permanent tinting shampoos and conditioners.
Jeff’s expertise in this field led to the development
of patented hair coloring technology using RBE-Colors™
that allow his products to naturally deliver rich color without
harmful chemicals or synthetic dyes. To reach Jeff with questions,
readers may contact him directly at: jeff@actnaturals.com
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