Want to color your hair while you’re pregnant? Most research, although fairly limited, say it’s safe to do so. The National Health Service states that “the chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic." Some amount of hair color can be absorbed by the skin, but it is not enough to cause harm to the growing baby inside of you.
This is good news for moms-to-be who want to amp up their hairstyle. So what types of hair color brands are safe for pregnant ladies? We’re naming seven of the best ones you can find online here in the Philippines.
Tips on using hair dye while you’re pregnant
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The verdict is that it’s safe to color your hair while there’s a bun in the oven. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take extra precautions. Many wait until after the first trimester to lower the risk of harming the baby so you may choose to do the same. Some other tips from the American Pregnancy Association are below:
- If you’re dyeing your hair yourself, do it in a well-ventilated area.
- Follow the instructions on the packet to the letter. Do not leave the chemicals on longer than advised.
- Make sure you thoroughly rinse your hair after the treatment.
- Use gloves when applying the solution to your hair.
- Test for allergies first before treating your hair. A patch test will do.
- Stick to your hair. Don’t dye your brows or lashes.
If you’re still on the fence about coloring your hair, as always, you can consult your doctor to see if this is something you’d be comfortable doing.
What to look for in a hair color that’s safe for pregnant women
Image from iStock
Once you’re all set to color your hair, you should take into account the quality of hair dye you’re going to use. Make sure you consider the following:
- ingredients
- If you can opt for semi-permanent pure vegetable dyes such as henna.
- Look for those without or at least have limited amounts only of parabens or ammonia.
- features
- Does it have a pungent smell that can trigger your nausea? There are some dyes that have a pleasant fragrance. How many shades are there to choose from? How does it benefit your hair? These are some attributes you’d want to check.
Image from iStock
7 hair color products that are safe for pregnant women
Pregnancy-safe Hair Color Products
Herbul Dark Brown Henna
Herbul is a brand from India uses botanical herbs and plant extracts from the country. It comes in a powder form and you just need to add water before using it. Its main ingredient is natural henna powder or ‘Mehandi’ in India, which nourishes the scalp.
Ladies who have already tried this say that for an organic hair color product, it’s quite reasonably priced. Imagine: For less than P160 or roughly the price of a frappuccino, you can get gorgeous hair color and revamp your look! What a steal, right? Aside from that, Herbul makes the hair look shiny and healthy. You’ll be happy to know that the application is a breeze, too. You won’t feel a sting when you apply it to your scalp and hair, unlike other products. No foul smell here as well so you don’t have to worry about smelling weird after application.
What we love about it
- ingredients
- made from botanical herbs and plant extracts from India
- natural henna powder
- features
- promotes hair growth
- helps strengthen hair roots
- helps get rid of dandruff
- available in different shades like chestnut, copper, burgundy, supreme red, and mahogany
Tints of Natures Semi Permanent Henna Cream
How would you like a vegan and cruelty-free hair color? Tints of Nature is one such brand. Although it has a wide array of offerings, the brand recommends its semi-permanent henna cream line for pregnant women.
It uses 95% naturally derived ingredients and is enriched with henna for added shine. Thus, it’s a natural way to color your hair and it’s also easy to apply. Even if you’ve never tried coloring your hair before, you can pull this off. What’s great about is that it also has no offensive smell like the chemical scent that we’ve been accustomed to from hair products back in the day. And when you’re done and you didn’t use up all of it, you can just save the rest and use it next time. This is great for those who have shorter hair.
What we love about it
- ingredients
- has a vegan and cruelty-free formula
- free from ammonia, paraben, PPD, silicone, and sulfates
- features
- available in 9 rich shades
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Clairol Natural Instincts
Popular brand Clairol also has its own offering of demi permanent color. It doesn’t alter your hair permanently and only deposits gorgeous tones as it will fade over time as you wash your hair. It’s a safer alternative because it uses 80% naturally derived ingredients like water, vitamin C, vitamin E, coconut oil, and aloe vera.
Users say this has become their go-to hair color because it’s kind to their mane. It doesn’t dry out their hair, which can happen with other hair color products. Furthermore, they have a wide selection of natural, warm colors that complement most skin tones.
Now if you don’t have gray hair and you simply want to enhance your current hair color, then this is the product for you, too. Choose the shade nearest to your hair color and apply. It fades eventually, but while it’s there, it absolutely looks gorgeous.
What we love about it
- ingredients
- 80% naturally derived ingredients like water, vitamin C, vitamin E, coconut oil, and aloe vera
- no ammonia or parabens
- features
- lasts 28 washes
- easy to apply
Garnier Olia Ammonia-free Hair Color
This list won’t be complete without Garnier Olia. It is formulated using natural flower oils and zero ammonia. Aside from giving your crowning glory the healthy color it needs, it also reverses the dullness of the hair. And because it has no ammonia, you don’t have to worry about the smell.
There are some staunch fans of this brand. For one, they say that it is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to color your hair even if you’re not a professional. So for ladies who are still on the fence about coloring their hair, this may just sway you. It also comes out thick in consistency and not at all runny so it’s easier to apply on your scalp and hair. They also said that it keeps the hair strong and shiny, which may be helpful for those who have issues with dry brittle hair after coloring.
What we love about it
- ingredients
- natural flower oils
- ammonia-free
- features
- permanent hair color
- available in 34 shades
Herbatint Permanent Herbal Hair Color Gel
Herbatint is a safe option for hair color among pregnant women because it is ammonia-free and uses 8 organic herbal extracts. It has also been dermatologically tested on sensitive skin. No doubt, you’ll find the right shade for you with its 36 colors ready to be mixed.
Some say that this has a little darker shade than expected, so keep that in mind when you get Herbatint. But other than that, loyal users share that it has never damaged their hair. It also looks as if it was done by a professional, thanks to its glorious hue and the shine it gives off on the hair. It’s also quite economical. You can get two uses out of one product if you have shorter hair.
What we love about it
- ingredients
- 8 organic herbal extracts
- no ammonia, alcohol, or parabens
- uses gluten-free and nickel-tested ingredients
- features
- 36 colors to be mixed
- easy to apply — results in 40 minutes!
- odorless
Revlon Colorsilk Luminista Hair Color
Get shiny permanent color for your dark hair with this ammonia-free hair color from Revlon. This is created for women with naturally dark hair. The result is a healthy-looking, vibrant mane. It even has a moisturizing mango-butter infusion to make your hair shinier.
Who’s up for highlights? It has been said that this hair color product is great for them so if you’re planning to get some highlights, this might just be the one for you.
Now if you’re not one for highlights but you’re going for full coverage, this works out great as well. The hair comes out soft and silky with a nice sheen. Even if you have coarse hair, this one works so why don’t you give it a try?
What we love about it
- ingredients
- ammonia-free
- permanent hair color
- features
- available in 14 shades
- minimizes brasiness
Radico Organic Hair Color
Radico promises that its products are free from PPD, ammonia, peroxide, and other harmful ingredients. Hence, if you don’t want to dye your hair with chemicals, this is a clear winner because it’s natural. This organic hair color is certified by the USDA.
Users say that Radico sufficiently covers gray hair. Available in six stunning shades, you can take your pick of natural hair colors. Even if you have a thick mane, this hair dye will be sufficient to cover everything. Enjoy your colored hair for 3-4 weeks!
What we love about it
- ingredients
- no PPD, ammonia, peroxide, resorcinol, bleach, parabens, and synthetic additives
- features
- Made Safe-certified
- USDA certified organic
- available in 6 shades
Price Comparison
In summary, here are the hair color brands in the Philippines safe for pregnant women and their prices:
| Brand |
Price |
| Herbul Dark Brown Henna |
P160 |
| Tints of Nature Semi Permanent Henna Cream |
P958 |
| Clairol Natural Instincts |
P550 |
| Garnier Olia Ammonia-free Hair Color |
P1,295 |
| Herbatint Permanent Herbal Hair Color Gel |
P2,103 |
| Revlon Colorsilk Luminista Hair Color |
P599 |
| Radico Organic Hair Color |
P990 |
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
