Certainly there are chemicals in hair dyes and permanent solutions that are toxic and known to cause cancer and genetic mutations. The question is, how much does it take to cause this damage? Studies on animals that show harm to the fetus have used doses 100 times higher than would ever be used on your own head. As the debate rages on, you can safely keep your hair dyed and permed if you use a bit of caution.
Avoid perming or dying in the first three months of your pregnancy. Choose semipermanent dyes over permanent dyes. Better yet, stick with natural henna products. Wear gloves and open the windows if you apply the solution yourself. Because the chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream through the scalp, not the hair itself, it’s probably safe to have your hair highlighted, frosted, painted, or streaked. These methods keep most of the dye away from the scalp.
