Some pregnant women have that “special glow,” while others feel downright unattractive. Your body may feel like it’s out of control, but at least you can keep your hair looking nice, right?

The debate about whether or not it’s safe to color your hair when you’re pregnant has been going on for decades. For many years, doctors advised pregnant women against using chemicals on their hair because of the possible effects they might have on the fetus.

When you apply hair dye, only a small amount is absorbed into your system, so very little - if any - would likely reach your baby. Since 2001, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has given the okay for expectant women to dye their hair.

Even so, it’s still recommended that you take precautions when dying your hair:

• Carefully follow the directions that accompany the hair dye product, including doing a patch test for allergic reactions. Do the patch test EVERY TIME.
• Wear gloves when applying hair dye.
• Do not leave the dye on your head any longer than directed.
• Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after use, and wash your hands with soap and water.
• Do not mix different hair dye products - ever.
• Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. The chemicals can harm your eyes or even cause blindness. (The FDA bans the use of hair dye for eyelashes and eyebrows even in beauty salons.)

To be on the safe side, wait until after the first trimester to color your hair. You may even consider using a non-permanent vegetable dye, such as henna, to eliminate the worry. Or, instead of dyes, consider highlights, which contain far fewer chemicals and little contact with the scalp. Keep in mind that even if you use the same hair dye you’ve been using for years, your changing hormones may cause the results may be different when you’re pregnant.

What did you do during your pregnancy to feel attractive?

Read more:

• Coloring your hair during pregnancy
• Can I bleach my hair during pregnancy?