- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
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Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical editor-in-chief, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for MayoClinic.com to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a consultant and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education for Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs before taking this leadership role. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this Web site. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
More answers
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- Blighted ovum: What causes it?
- Molar pregnancy: What causes it?
- Breast-feeding while pregnant: Is it safe?
- Air travel during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Chickenpox and pregnancy: What are the concerns?
- Aspirin during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Allergy medications during pregnancy: Are they safe?
- Headaches during pregnancy: What can I do about them?
- Flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Early miscarriage: Is stress a factor?
- Hemorrhoids during pregnancy: Are there safe treatments?
- Morning sickness: When is it a concern?
- Antibiotics and pregnancy
- Ankle swelling during pregnancy: Is it a concern?
- Low amniotic fluid: Should I worry?
- Birth control pills: Harmful in early pregnancy?
- Exercise during pregnancy: Is heart rate a concern?
- Low birth weight: What does it mean?
- Constipation during pregnancy: Are stool softeners safe?
- Fundal height: An accurate indicator of fetal growth?
- Rh factor in pregnancy: When is it a problem?
- see all
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Question
Hair dye and pregnancy: A concern?
Is it safe to color or highlight your hair when pregnant?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Not much is known about the safety of hair dyes in pregnancy. It's likely that when you apply hair dye, a very small amount is absorbed into your body. But it isn't clear how much, if any, of these chemicals may reach the fetus.
Some recent studies suggest an association between dying your hair when pregnant and some childhood cancers, but the evidence is weak.
Talk to your obstetrician about any hair color treatments you may be planning. He or she may advise you to use toxin-free hair dye or to postpone any chemical processes involving your hair until at least after your first trimester.
To minimize the amount of hair dye that may be absorbed through your skin, the Food and Drug Administration offers these recommendations:
- Don't leave dye on your hair any longer than needed.
- Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after use of hair dye.
- Wear gloves when applying hair dye.
Even if your obstetrician says it's safe, you may want to postpone coloring your hair during pregnancy for cosmetic reasons. Hormonal changes can cause your hair to react differently when you're pregnant, and can leave you with an unexpected color.
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