When I was a hairdresser, I had SO many mamas ask me “Can you color your hair while breastfeeding?” Now that I’m a nursing mom, I completely understand how this could be confusing. I’m going to break down all the dos and don’ts of getting your hair done while you are still breastfeeding.
I’m going to share with you both my professional knowledge and my personal experience. I think this combo will help you make a decision that is best for you and your baby!
Is it okay to color your hair while breastfeeding?
Deciding whether or not you should color your hair is definitely a personal decision. There aren’t many studies out there that have observed lactating moms getting their hair dyed. So, there is no cut-and-dry answer.
What we’ve seen in pregnant mamas is that very little chemicals actually enter the bloodstream. According to AmericanPregnancy.org and the ACOG, they say it’s safe to color your hair during pregnancy.
Of course, I always suggest that mamas check with their midwife or OBGYN to ensure it’s okay for them.
Because similar guidelines apply for pregnancy and breastfeeding, that leads me to believe that it’s harmless to get your hair colored while nursing.
Now with that being said, I’m talking about having your hair professionally done. But, I understand not everyone can afford that. So, if you are wondering if you can box dye your hair while breastfeeding, I would say that it’s probably fine, too!
How to Safely Have your Hair Colored While Breastfeeding
Personally speaking, I would feel safer having my hair professionally done because I don’t have to worry about touching it with my hands. Not to mention you get a scalp massage, which as a mama feels like HEAVEN!
Even though I recommend having a hairdresser do your hair, there are a few things to look into to safely have your hair colored while breastfeeding.
1. Just Get Highlights or Balayage
I have always considered this the safest option for mamas because lighter isn’t applied to the scalp in this method. This means, there is no way for toxins to get into the bloodstream!
Although getting either of these done can be a little pricier. My suggestion is to ask for a partial highlight, which means just the top half of your hair will be done! This will give you just enough of a change to feel fresh and new.
2. Try an AVEDA Salon
They tend to be a little more natural when it comes to what’s in their hair color. Although, NO hair color is organic or without any toxic chemicals!
3. Find an Organic Hair Salon
Most towns have a local organic hair salon. Call ahead and ask what kind of hair color they use. This way you can check out the ingredients and see if you are comfortable with them.
Tips for Dying Your Hair at Home While Breastfeeding
There are a few extra precautions to take while doing DIY hair color, just to ensure that you don’t get any toxins in your bloodstream. I would recommend you do this in a separate room from your baby so that you don’t expose them to unnecessary fumes.
- Make sure you are in a well-ventilated space!
- Wear gloves and be sure to wash your hands afterward
- Rinse your hair out in the sink.
- Do a double wash of shampoo and scrub your scalp to get it all off!
Can you bleach hair while breastfeeding?
As I talked about earlier, in most cases you will get a little bit of toxins in your bloodstream when you have color applied to your scalp. I would not suggest having bleach on your scalp ever. Although many stylists believe it’s fine, I feel like the product is too harsh to be in direct contact with our skin.
Bleach is used when doing highlights, but this doesn’t touch your scalp. Which I feel totally comfortable using with pregnant and breastfeeding moms!
When can you dye your hair after pregnancy?
There is no magical time frame to wait. After having a baby, you are pretty much safe to dye your hair whenever!
How long after c-section can I dye my hair?
You definitely don’t have to wait, especially if you are just getting highlights! Getting your hair done is always a good pick me up, especially during the healing process.
Can you dye your hair during Postpartum hair loss?
It’s not going to make your hair any worse! I know that is a big concern for most moms.
I just wouldn’t suggest getting anything drastic done to your hair done during postpartum hair loss, unless you plan to get it done every 4 to 8 weeks. Once the regrowth starts coming back in, it kind of looks funny!
My recommendation for moms who are experiencing hair loss, get a trim and some layers. This will help you feel like you have a new look. Then when the hair loss has slowed go get it colored…plus this is an excuse to get some self-care time in!
Wrap Up….
As a breastfeeding mom myself, I know how important it is to protect our children and yet need a little self-care for ourselves. If you are wanting to get your hair done but aren’t sure if it’s safe for nursing moms, I hope you found a bit of confidence in knowing that it is most likely safe.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo… so you don’t lose this post!
Other Posts You Might Enjoy…