For many, haircare is part of our identity, self-expression or self-care routine. But when you’re creating embryos for IVF or surrogacy, even something as routine as coloring your hair can feel uncertain.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about hair dye during IVF including what fertility doctors say, which ingredients to avoid, safer alternatives and how to balance physical safety with emotional self-care.
When your embryos are ready, you don’t want to wait. Let us help you move forward on your terms, and on your timeline. Reach out today to begin the surrogacy process.
Can I Dye My Hair During IVF?
Short Answer: Most fertility specialists advise avoiding hair dye during the early stages of IVF, especially during ovarian stimulation.
But there’s nuance. The safety of using hair dye during IVF depends on factors like:
- Whether the dye touches your scalp
- Ventilation in your salon
- Ingredients in the product
- How far along you are in the IVF process
If coloring your hair is important for emotional well-being, consult your doctor before using hair dye during IVF, especially if you plan to dye your roots or use darker, more chemical-heavy formulas.
Learn more about what to expect from your IVF medication schedule.
What Fertility Doctors Say about Hair Dye and IVF
Fertility experts often recommend avoiding hair dye during IVF, particularly between the start of ovarian stimulation and the end of the first trimester. This guidance is based on minimizing exposure to potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals and reducing inflammatory reactions.
According to Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, some hair salons in general may need to be avoided between embryo transfer and the end of the first trimester. Her rule of thumb is “When you walk into the salon, do you get a headache?” If you do, there are likely chemicals in the air that could negatively impact your fertility.
If you still want to use hair dye during IVF, choose a well-ventilated salon, avoid scalp contact and opt for cleaner, non-toxic products. Some clinics will greenlight these steps, especially when balanced against the emotional benefits of self-care.
Hair Dye Ingredients to Avoid During Fertility Treatment
Using hair dye during IVF can expose you to certain chemicals that may impact fertility outcomes or hormone balance. However, as we learn more about these chemicals, new, safer products are being developed.
Ammonia
Ammonia can cause severe allergic reactions, which can affect pregnancy and fertility. Greater exposure to ammonia, even though hair dye, is linked to greater rates of urinary track infections, which can affect implantation and fetal development.
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is common in both hair dyes and some sun screens. It’s been found to have disruptive effects on the endocrine system, which regulates many vital fertility hormones.
Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)
PPD is a compound found in many hair dyes which can cause skin irritations, eczema, dermatitis, and even severe allergic reaction.
It also has the notable property of having increasing risk of reaction with each contact. In other words, even if you didn’t have a reaction to it last time you used it, you could have a severe reaction next time.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used in hair dye linked to premature and underweight births, and can have detrimental effects on fertility hormones.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), parabens rank among the most concerning toxic chemicals for pregnant women.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used to soften mixtures, but are known to travel throughout the body, notably in urine, blood and breast milk.
These chemicals disrupt hormones, and have disastrous affects specifically for male fetuses. They are also on the EWG’s list, and have been banned in many countries across Europe.
Can a Surrogate Dye Her Hair During Pregnancy?
Surrogates are often advised to follow the same caution as IVF patients: avoid hair dye during the first trimester.
Because surrogacy adds a layer of shared responsibility, intended parents and surrogates should agree on self-care guidelines early in the process.
Doctors recommend minimizing exposure to chemicals and ensuring salon visits are in well-ventilated areas. If scalp contact is avoided and the dye is clean and natural, some experts say it can be safe, even affirming, for surrogates.
Emotional Self-Care: Why Hair Dye During IVF May Still Matter
For many, IVF is not just a medical journey but an emotional one. Small acts like coloring your hair can be powerful self-care tools that provide emotional relief.
Self-care can help you navigate this journey in many ways:
- Emotional Well-Being: Self-care can help you connect with your emotions and experience them in a safe, controllable way.
- Rituals of Self-Maintenance: Focusing on yourself is an important part of your fertility journey. Consistent activates that help you focus on treating yourself with love and care can be a valuable tool.
- Managing Control: In IVF, it can be easy to begin to feel that the things happening to you are out of your control. The need for control is something we all feel, and self-care can help you clarify and address these complex feelings.
- Marking a significant change: For some, hair dying and other self-care rituals can be used to mark a significant change in their life.
For some, using hair dye during IVF helps reinforce identity, signal transformation, or reduce stress. If emotional well-being is a key concern, consult your fertility team about safer dye methods or alternatives.
Choosing Safer Hair Dye During IVF: What to Look For
The things that make hair dye damaging for IVF patients are the harmful ingredients. However, there are types of hair dyes that present less of a fertility disruption:
- Labels that say “free of parabens, phthalates, ammonia”
- Clean beauty certifications (e.g., EWG Verified)
- Natural dyes like henna or cassia-based colors
- Brands offering pregnancy-safe or sensitive skin formulations
Being selective with your products can help balance aesthetic goals with fertility safety when using hair dye during IVF.
When in doubt, take the ingredient list to your fertility specialist. Avoid heavy fragrances and always patch test before full application.
Fertility-Safe Hair Dye Brands for IVF Patients
Choosing the right brand is one of the safest ways to continue using hair dye during IVF.
These brands are known for avoiding common reproductive toxins like ammonia, PPD, parabens, phthalates and resorcinol, making them a safer choice for IVF patients:
- Herbatint: Plant-based permanent color free from ammonia, parabens, and alcohol. Gentle on sensitive scalps and ideal for home use.
- Naturtint: Uses plant-enriched ingredients and avoids ammonia, resorcinol, and heavy metals. A go-to brand for those seeking permanent results with fewer risks.
- Surya Brasil Henna Cream: A semi-permanent henna-based formula free from harmful additives. Ideal for deep conditioning and gentle color toning.
- Oway (Organic Way): Used in high-end salons, this biodynamic professional dye line is made with fair-trade botanicals and free from synthetic toxins.
When selecting hair dye during IVF, choose products that support your health, not just your color.
Your Next Steps
Navigating decisions like whether to use hair dye during IVF is just one piece of a larger journey, one that’s uniquely yours.
As you move through your IVF cycle, another exciting milestone may be just around the corner: your embryos may soon be ready. If your next step is finding a surrogate to carry your pregnancy, we’re here to help you match quickly and confidently.
Here’s what to do next:
- Talk to your fertility doctor about safe cosmetic products
- Choose hair dye options that align with IVF safety guidelines
- Begin planning for the next stage: embryo transfer and surrogacy
- Reach out to us, we help intended parents match with screened surrogates in as little as 1-4 months.
Whether you’re creating embryos or already have frozen embryos ready to go, we’re here to ensure your transition into surrogacy is smooth and successful.Begin the next stage of your journey to parenthood by contacting us today with this online form.