Rather than telling you all the things you can’tuse during pregnancy, we’re here to show you things you can!
Pregnancy is all well and good, but it’s nice to hold on to who you are without feeling like a walking incubator. When it comes to hair, there’s some confusion around the safety of using dyes and even certain shampoos and conditioners. The good news is chemicals in dyes are absorbed by the hair, as opposed to the scalp or bloodstream. However, most women still tend to wait until they’re in their second trimester before getting to the root of the matter, when the risk of chemicals harming the baby is much lower.
Also, did you know that the extra hormones you inherit during pregnancy alter your hair cycle, making it fuller and longer? So if you’ll have even more hair than usual to take care of, make sure you’re using the right products.
You’ll be pleased to know there is an array of organic alternatives that will keep your hair in great shape.
Colouring
Henna is among the most popular colouring options in pregnancy. Lush’s range consists of bricks (£9.25) made from Persian henna, conditioning cocoa butter and essential oils, so your hair looks – and smells – great.
Organic Colour Systems says it’s “the first ever range of permanent colours made from the maximum amount of certified organic ingredients and the minimum amount of chemicals”. Pretty compelling stuff. With a huge range of colours (64 to be precise), you’re bound to find yours. They also offer a range of semi-permanent organic dyes. Visit the website to find your nearest salon.
Daniel Field also has a wide range of colour options to choose from (£9.45). The company prides itself on excluding peroxide, alcohol, ammonia and PPD – or p-Phenylenediamine – from its ingredients. And the range is super-easy to use at home. Just add water, shake and apply!
Highlights are also a good cop-out if you want to err on the side of caution and avoid a full-on dye job. Try World’s End’s Henna Hair Mascara Express Touch (£5.99). Available in seven shades, it’s also perfect for root touch-ups.
Washing
Dr Organic’s Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner are available from Holland & Barrett (£5.49 each). The shampoo is made with naturally antiseptic tea tree essential oil with nourishing aloe vera leaf juice and peppermint oil for a deep cleanse. Both are great for oily hair.
Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Nurturing Rose shampoo and conditioner (£11.50 each) are suitable for dry and damaged hair and help reduce breakage. The gently-cleansing shampoo includes a blend of roeship, seabuckthorn and passion flower oils and won’t strip the hair of its natural oils. Meanwhile, the shampoo contains a moisturising blend of olive and coconut oils with maple extract for healthy, vibrant locks.
Desert Essence’s Coconut shampoo and conditioner (£8.99 each) are available in the UK from Planet Organic. Made with organic olive and jojoba oils, the shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft and healthy while keeping the frizz at bay. Finish off with the moisturising conditioner consisting of shea butter and sunflower oil.
For a fragrance-free option, Green People’s Neutral Scent Free shampoo and conditioner might just be the duo for you (£11.95 each). As you become more sensitive to smells, which can sometimes exacerbate morning sickness, products such as these are a great alternative. The shampoo includes green tea and pineapple extract to help get rid of dandruff; while the conditioner is rich in essential vitamins for healthy hair.
What other organic hair care products do you use? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Images courtesy of Daniel Field, Green People, Holland & Barrett, Lush, Neal's Yard Remedies, Organic Colour Systems, Planet Organic and World's End.
