Hair dye and pregnancy: A concern?

Not much is known about the safety of hair dyes in pregnancy. It's likely that when you apply hair dye, a very small amount is absorbed into your body. But it isn't clear how much, if any, of these chemicals may reach the fetus.

Some recent studies suggest an association between dying your hair when pregnant and some childhood cancers, but the evidence is weak.

Talk to your obstetrician about any hair color treatments you may be planning. He or she may advise you to use toxin-free hair dye or to postpone any chemical processes involving your hair until at least after your first trimester.

To minimize the amount of hair dye that may be absorbed through your skin, the Food and Drug Administration offers these recommendations:

• Don't leave dye on your hair any longer than needed.
• Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after use of hair dye.
• Wear gloves when applying hair dye.

Even if your obstetrician says it's safe, you may want to postpone coloring your hair during pregnancy for cosmetic reasons. Hormonal changes can cause your hair to react differently when you're pregnant, and can leave you with an unexpected color.