Food & lifestyle

Is it unsafe to dye your hair while pregnant?

Checked against the sources listed on this page. Not reviewed by a clinician. Last updated 5 November 2026. How we check.

Myth

Probably not unsafe. Very little dye is absorbed through healthy skin, and used as directed it isn’t expected to greatly increase the chance of birth defects. Some people prefer to wait until after the first trimester.

Use a well-ventilated room, follow timing instructions, wear gloves if you’re applying it yourself, and consider highlights, which touch the scalp less.

References

  1. MotherToBaby: Hair treatments in pregnancy

More food & lifestyle myths

Myth

Do you need to eat for two when pregnant?

No. The NHS says there’s no need to “eat for 2”. US guidance suggests no extra calories in the first trimester, about 340 extra a day in the second, and about 450 in the third.

 Myth

Do you have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy?

Not necessarily. Most guidelines say up to 200 mg of caffeine a day, about one or two cups of coffee, is acceptable.

 Myth

Should you avoid fish when pregnant?

No. 2–3 servings a week of low-mercury fish are recommended. Just avoid the high-mercury ones.