If you are pregnant and wondering “can I highlight my hair while pregnant?” — you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions we receive at Eco Hair Studio in Claremont, Perth, and the answer is reassuring: yes, you can get highlights while pregnant, particularly with the right technique and the right products.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting hair highlights during pregnancy — from whether it is safe to highlight hair while pregnant, to the best timing by trimester, and why ammonia free hair dye for pregnant women makes all the difference.
Key Takeaways
- Can you get highlights when pregnant? Yes — especially from the second trimester, with an ammonia free formula and balayage technique.
- Ammonia free hair dye for pregnant women eliminates harsh fumes and significantly reduces scalp chemical exposure.
- Can you get balayage while pregnant? Yes — balayage is the most pregnancy-safe technique because colour is applied mid-shaft with no scalp contact.
- Highlights first trimester carry more risk — postpone if possible, or use only scalp-free balayage with ammonia free dye.
- Can I get my hair highlighted while pregnant? Yes — with a patch test 48 hours before every appointment.
- Eco Hair Studio uses 100% ammonia free, PPD free Aveda and O&M colour for all services.
Can I Highlight My Hair While Pregnant?
Yes — and this is the clear consensus from major medical authorities including the NHS, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), and Australian government health guidance. None of these bodies advise against hair highlights during pregnancy outright. What they do recommend is minimising scalp contact and choosing ammonia free hair dye while pregnant wherever possible.
The concern with hair colour during pregnancy centres on two ingredients: ammonia (which produces volatile fumes) and PPD (paraphenylenediamine), which can be absorbed through the scalp. Both can be avoided — ammonia free hair dye while pregnant removes the fume risk entirely, and a technique like balayage eliminates scalp contact almost completely.
What the Experts Say
- ACOG: “There is no strong evidence that hair dye causes harm to developing babies when appropriate precautions are followed.”
- NHS: “Most evidence suggests it is safe to use hair dye during pregnancy — but you may want to wait until after the first 12 weeks.”
- Key conditions: ammonia free formula + minimal scalp contact + ventilated environment.
Can You Get Balayage While Pregnant?
Yes — and balayage is specifically the most pregnancy-safe colouring technique available. Here is why. Balayage is a freehand hand-painting method where colour is swept through the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, starting several centimetres below the root. This means the colour formula has minimal to zero contact with your scalp — which is where absorption occurs.
Combined with ammonia free hair dye for pregnant women, balayage represents the lowest-risk colour service available in a salon. Less product, no scalp contact, no ammonia fumes — and beautiful results that grow out naturally over 3–4 months, meaning fewer appointments during your pregnancy overall.
“Balayage is genuinely the ideal pregnancy colour technique. Colour away from the scalp, an ammonia free formula, and a calm salon environment — it checks every box for expectant mothers.”
— Tamana, Owner, Eco Hair Studio Claremont Perth
Is It Safe to Highlight Hair While Pregnant? — By Technique
| Technique | Scalp Contact | Recommended in Pregnancy? |
|---|---|---|
| Balayage (hand-painted) | None — mid-shaft to ends | ✓ Best choice |
| Foil highlights | Direct scalp contact | ✓ With ammonia free dye |
| All-over root-to-tip | Full scalp contact | Use with caution |
| Toners & gloss | Minimal | ✓ Lowest risk overall |
Getting Highlights While Pregnant: What to Expect By Trimester
Highlights First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)
Highlighting hair while pregnant in the first trimester requires the most caution. Weeks 1–12 are when all major foetal organs are forming. Most healthcare providers recommend postponing non-essential chemical services during this window. If colour is needed, use only scalp-free balayage with ammonia free hair dye — zero scalp contact, zero ammonia fumes.
Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26) — Best Time
The second trimester is the most widely recommended window for hair highlights during pregnancy. Major organ development is complete. Getting highlights while pregnant in this window — with ammonia free dye and balayage — is considered low risk by the vast majority of medical authorities. Most clients book their main pregnancy colour appointment here.
Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40)
Highlighting hair pregnancy in the third trimester is generally safe, though comfort (sitting for extended periods) may become a practical consideration. We adjust appointment structure accordingly at Eco Hair Studio — more breaks, flexible seating, shorter processing where possible.
Can You Have Highlights When Pregnant — Do Hormones Change the Results?
Yes — and your stylist should know this before your appointment. Pregnancy hormones change hair porosity and texture significantly. Hair can become thicker and more voluminous (the hormonal growth phase extends the growth cycle), but also more porous — meaning colour can absorb faster and fade faster than your pre-pregnancy experience.
At Eco Hair Studio, we reassess porosity at every appointment and adjust formula, developer strength, and processing time accordingly. Hair highlights during pregnancy can look extraordinary — the added volume and thickness often make balayage results even more impressive than usual.
Ammonia Free Hair Dye for Pregnant Women: Why It Matters
Traditional hair dye uses ammonia to force the hair cuticle open and allow pigment to penetrate. Ammonia is volatile — it evaporates at room temperature, filling the salon with fumes that can trigger nausea, dizziness, and headaches. During pregnancy, when smell sensitivity is dramatically heightened, ammonia fumes are both uncomfortable and unnecessary.
Ammonia free hair dye for pregnant women uses gentler alkalising agents (MEA or sodium carbonate) to achieve the same cuticle-opening effect without volatile fumes. At Eco Hair Studio we use only Aveda Full Spectrum and O&M — both ammonia free and PPD free — across every colour service, for every client.
| Feature | Traditional Dye | Ammonia Free Hair Dye |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonia fumes | Strong — causes nausea | None |
| Scalp absorption risk | Higher | Lower — especially with balayage |
| PPD free option available | Rarely | Yes (O&M, Aveda) |
| Hair condition after | Can dry & strip | Conditioning effect |
| Colour vibrancy | Strong | Equally vibrant |
| Patch test required | Yes | Yes — always when pregnant |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my hair highlighted while pregnant — is it 100% safe?
No colour treatment during pregnancy is guaranteed 100% risk-free, but using ammonia free hair dye while pregnant with a scalp-free balayage technique in a well-ventilated salon is considered low-risk by major medical bodies after the first trimester. Always consult your obstetrician or midwife for personalised advice.
Can you get your hair highlighted while pregnant in the first trimester?
Highlighting hair in the first trimester warrants the most caution. Weeks 1–12 are the critical organ development window. Our recommendation: postpone if possible. If colour is needed, balayage with ammonia free dye and zero scalp contact is the most conservative approach. Inform your healthcare provider beforehand.
Can you highlight your hair while pregnant using foils?
Yes, but foils involve direct scalp contact, making them higher-risk than balayage during pregnancy. If foils are preferred, ammonia free hair dye is essential and your stylist should minimise root saturation. Balayage remains the recommended technique for pregnant clients.
Do I need a patch test if I have had the same colour for years?
Yes — every single appointment during pregnancy requires a fresh 48-hour patch test. Pregnancy hormones can trigger new sensitivities to ingredients you have used for years, including ingredients in ammonia free formulas. This is non-negotiable at Eco Hair Studio.
How long does getting highlights while pregnant take at Eco Hair Studio?
A balayage appointment typically takes 2–3 hours including consultation, application, processing, and blow-dry. We allow generous time for pregnant clients and accommodate regular breaks throughout.
Book Your Pregnancy-Safe Colour in Perth
Ammonia free · PPD free · Balayage specialists · All trimesters welcome
Book: ecohairstudio.com.au · Call: (08) 6114 1635
Times Square, Shop 17, 1–26 Avion Way, Claremont WA 6010
