During your first pregnancy, you may be faced with seemingly endless unexpected surprises.
Your skin might get itchier. Daily heartburn will probably become customary. You'll be encouraged to massage your perineum nightly (Google it). You can't eat a lot of your favourite foods, and you might even grow something of a fuzzy beard. Yes, really.
But what happens when it comes to colouring your hair?
As a life-long blonde deeply committed to a six-year relationship with scalp bleaches, there's no denying that - of course, after all the excitement and early midwife appointments - my thoughts inevitably wandered to my strict haircare schedule.
Is hair bleaching allowed during pregnancy? What about highlights?
Would I have to delay my usual 8-weekly appointments until after the birth? I shuddered at the thought.
Sure enough, I had a brief scroll online and saw several posts questioning the safety of the process in pregnancy and immediately succumbed to a life of near-brunette root growth for the next nine months.
I promise they're not all bad…
It was only recently, with just a few short weeks to go until I finally meet the tiny little human I've been growing inside my stomach for what feels like forever, that I decided to really look into it. After all, I want to give the little guy a good first impression when he does make his appearance earthside… (I'm still tbc on whether he'd appreciate a lash lift and tint or if I should skip that step).
Having just opened a new salon local to me in South East London, I decided to pop in to Blue Tit's new salon in Woolwich to see senior colourist Rumer Clifton and find out what the rules around colouring and bleaching your hair during pregnancy really are. Because, shockingly, these experts know more than those mumsnet forums bursting with entirely uneducated opinions that I'd found myself scrolling through for hours prior. Who knew?
“Colouring your hair during pregnancy is safe!” Rumer explained to my shock and joy, “but I would say it’s totally down to how comfortable you feel, and the relationship you have with your colourist. Of course, if you have any concerns, you can always consult advice from your GP/ midwife.”
She's right, of course, and having checked with my own midwife - who agreed with Rumer that it's absolutely safe to do so - I immediately booked in for that much-needed refresh.
But while safe during the later stages of pregnancy, Rumer did specify that she would recommend “avoiding any on scalp applications, particularly during the first trimester, as hormones are increased and skin can become sensitised.” This made perfect sense, as having been for a patch test for a lash tint in the early days my skin was definitely more sensitive than it had ever been pre-pregnancy.
“Even if you’ve regularly coloured your hair prior to becoming pregnant, ensuring you have a new allergy test is crucial before committing to an appointment,” Rumer cleared up. “You can have a consultation to discuss technique options if they need to be tweaked, and even ask about the colour brand and products being used.”
Off the back of all her advice, I decided to steer clear of any bleach to my roots and instead go for a full head of highlights leaving a slight bit of root re-growth smudged towards my scalp. Not only did that make me feel more reassured that no colour or bleach was directly touching my scalp, but it also meant that as my hair grows it'll be a subtler blend and there won't be a harsh root line that needs urgent attention. Because, so I'm told, the little person I'm soon to meet will be demanding quite a lot of that himself.
All the physical changes – and newfound attention – can bring up a lot of complicated feelings.
“A huge part of how we identify ourselves when we look at our reflection is through our hair”, explained Rumer, who's actually also a new mother herself, “and being pregnant brings a rollercoaster of emotions and new experiences, with your hormones and your body growing and changing daily. Having your hair done can be something that makes you feel, you! Especially at a pivotal point of so many other new beginnings.”
Having tried to convince myself for so long that I didn't mind my root regrowth and I didn't need to revert back to blonde blonde pre-baby, I couldn't agree with her more. I feel more like myself than I have in months, and more ready than ever to welcome this little one.
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
