Is It Safe to Dye Your Hair While Breastfeeding?
Pregnancy and childbirth often leave women with little time to dedicate to their physical appearance. If you’re looking for a change and want to dye your hair while breastfeeding, there’s something you should know: Hair dye can be harmful both to your own health as well as that of your baby.
It’s important to pay attention to the quality of the products that you apply to your hair and scalp. Not only is this true while you’re breastfeeding, but also while you’re pregnant.
Therefore, we want to explain the precautions that you should keep in mind. We’ll also reveal a few alternatives to dying your hair while breastfeeding that pose no threat to your little one’s health.
Is it safe to dye your hair while breastfeeding?
It’s obvious that hair dye products contain chemicals that are toxic. Most contain ammonium, which is a dangerous chemical. Inhaling these toxins or coming into direct contact with them can cause serious health problems.
Many women assume that chemical products that enter the bloodstream are harmful to them and their babies. And for that reason, many think it’s best not to dye your hair while breastfeeding.
However, the amount of chemical substances that enter the mother’s bloodstream through her scalp are minimal. This amount isn’t enough to pose a threat to your little one. There’s no chance your baby can ingest these chemicals through your breast milk.
Important precautions for dying your hair while breastfeeding
If you want to dye your hair while breastfeeding, there are certain precautions you should take. That way, you’ll maximize your baby’s safety, as well as your own.
Just as we mentioned earlier, the chemical products that enter a mother’s bloodstream through her scalp aren’t enough to cause damage. However, scratches and sores on the scalp can mean a greater amount of toxins reaches a woman’s bloodstream .
Therefore, it’s extremely important to make sure your scalp is healthy before dying your hair.
The biggest danger while dying your hair while breastfeeding is the smell of the chemical products on your hair. If you’re dying your hair at home, do so in an open and well-ventilated space. That way, fumes won’t be trapped inside and inhaled by your baby.
What are the alternatives?
Once of the solutions you should consider if you want to dye your hair while breastfeeding is going light. In other words, apply a thin layer of dye. Or else, apply dye that’s the same color of your hair to the areas where you have gray hairs. That way, you don’t have to do a full treatment.
If you’re still worried that hair dye could harm your baby, there are more alternatives available. Keep in mind that some supposedly “natural” plant-based colorants actually contain harmful synthetic products .
These harmful ingredients remain hidden disguised by healthier, more natural ingredients like oils, fruits and herbs. However, the toxic elements are still there.
“The amount of chemical substances that enter the mother’s bloodstream through her scalp are minimal. This amount isn’t enough to pose a threat to your little one.”
Therefore, you should pay attention to the precise ingredients that your hair dye contains. Look for dyes that are really 100% plant-based. Here are a few options:
1. Coffee for brown or light brown
Coffee is a good way to obtain dark or light brown tones. This product also produces the keratin in your hair, boosting growth and minimizing hair loss.
2. Cover your grey hairs with sage
Sage is a perfect remedy for covering grey hair because of its astringent and revitalizing properties. It also contributes to the flow of melanin and makes hair turn back to its natural color.
3. Cocoa for chocolate-colored highlights
Cocoa is another natural ingredient that can help cover up your grey hair. However, the effects will only show up after some time. The method involves applying cocoa powder and honey to dry hair.
4. Black tea for darker tones
This plant is an excellent option for creating darker tones in your hair. Prepare an infusion and leave it for 24 hours. You can apply this solution to your hair after washing your hair with shampoo.
5. Chamomile for golden highlights
The powder obtained from dry chamomile flowers gives our hair golden and blonde highlights. However, you should keep in mind that this method is best for light-colored hair and not for those with dark hair.
If possible, we recommend waiting until your baby is nutritionally independent before applying chemical products to your hair.
Just the same, if you feel that a new hair color will improve your appearance, go ahead and do it. After all, you deserve to feel good if you’re doing the most important job in the world – being a mom!
