The Best Pregnancy-Safe Haircare? Dos and Don'ts for Healthy Hair

January 12, 2026

Wherever you are in your fertility journey – preparing, pregnant, or post-partum, you may have found yourself obsessively reading the small print on every product on your bathroom shelf. Everything you put in or on your body can suddenly feel worrying, from supplements, skincare routines, and haircare products. That’s why we spoke to fertility specialist Dr. Shahin Ghadir about the best pregnancy-safe haircare for healthy hair and a healthy pregnancy.

You’re not alone if you're wondering what haircare supplements and ingredients to avoid pre- and during pregnancy. The good news is that pregnancy-safe haircare doesn’t mean giving up on great hair. Here’s what Dr. Ghadir shared with us on how to build a low-stress, pregnancy-safe haircare routine that keeps your hair looking its best.

How Pregnancy Affects Your Hair

It’s no secret that pregnancy causes major hormonal shifts, and these dramatic changes in your levels of estrogen and progesterone can take a toll on your hair.

Here’s how hormonal changes can affect your hair health during pregnancy:

1. Increased Hair Thickness and Reduced Shedding

Hormonal changes can be a boost for your hair health. Many pregnant women notice fuller, thicker hair around the second trimester. This is because higher estrogen levels keep your hair in the growth phase (anagen phase) longer, reducing natural shedding. You may feel like you’re having the best hair of your life.

2. Dryness or Oiliness

On the flip side, hormonal changes can disrupt your scalp’s oil production. Some people develop dry, flaky scalps, while others experience more oil than usual. Both are normal and temporary and can be addressed by making changes to your usual haircare routine:

- Dry and flaky scalp? Don’t scratch that itch, use Scrub. Scrub is a clinically-tested, pregnancy-safe, moisturizing scalp exfoliant that's free of endocrine disruptors and other potential irritants.
- Oily, lank hair? Switch to Wash & Smooth, a clinically-tested, pregnancy-safe, balanced shampoo and conditioner duo that won’t overcleanse your hair and scalp.

3. Changes in Texture

One of the more surprising hormonal changes you may notice in your hair pre- and during pregnancy is a change in texture. Straight hair may suddenly feel wavier, and curls may loosen or tighten. Your new hair type may need a new haircare approach:

- Coarser, wavier hair? Your new hair might need a more moisturizing conditioner. Try Masque, our pregnancy-safe conditioner, to smooth and hydrate your new texture.
- Finer, straighter hair? Your new hair may need a lighter conditioner than your old curls did. Switching to Smooth hair conditioner will deliver weightless hydration. Our pregnancy-safe Mend leave-in conditioner can also help with restoring texture and volume to finer hair.

4. Increased Sensitivity

During pregnancy and post-partum, you may notice you are more sensitive to synthetic fragrances, strong chemicals, or other irritants in personal care products. Products you’ve used for years might suddenly cause irritation.

Haircare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy

Because haircare ingredients can be absorbed through your scalp or inhaled during use, fertility experts like Dr. Ghadir recommend that certain ingredients should be avoided pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. Dr. Ghadir advises his patients to always choose a clean, well-researched brand like Arey for their safest pregnancy haircare routine.

Here’s a list of some of the haircare ingredients that Arey does not use because they can cause hormonal disruptions and potential harm to a developing fetus:

1. Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives)

While more common in skincare, some specialized scalp serums include retinol or other retinoids. High doses are linked to birth defects and should be avoided in topical products meant for your scalp. Arey haircare products are all retinol-free and safe for use during pregnancy.

2. Salicylic Acid (in high concentrations)

Low-percentage salicylic acid in shampoos is generally considered safe, but high concentrations (like those found in peels or strong treatments) should be avoided. If you're treating dandruff or scalp acne, talk to your doctor about which treatments are safe for you. Arey Scrub contains a very low, pregnancy-safe level of salicylic acid.

3. Chemical Hair Straighteners (including Brazilian blowouts)

These often contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing agents, which can be inhaled and may be harmful during pregnancy. All Arey haircare products are formaldehyde-free.

4. High-Strength Hair Dyes and Bleach

Most research suggests that occasional use of hair dyes is safe in pregnancy, but there are some exceptions:

- Avoid bleach or high-ammonia hair dyes in the first trimester.
- Reduce scalp contact by choosing highlighting techniques (foils) instead of all-over color.
- Always use hair dye in a well-ventilated area.

Arey’s haircare products are designed to help slow, delay, and even reverse grey hair, so many women find they don’t need to have their hair colored as often when they use Arey’s clean, pregnancy-safe haircare.

Dr. Ghadir uses Arey products himself, including Arey’s clinically-proven haircare routine, The System – a powerful combination of a nutritional supplement Not Today, Grey, and a topical scalp serum To The Root®.

Dr. Ghadir recommends that patients use Arey’s Not Today, Grey nutritional supplement only before and after pregnancy, but that To The Root® is safe to use throughout your entire fertility journey.

5. Parabens

Many people avoid parabens as a routine health habit, but pregnant women need to be aware that parabens have been identified as hormone disruptors that can negatively affect birth outcomes.¹ Paraben-free formulas are easy to find and usually marked clearly on labels. All Arey haircare is clean and paraben-free.

6. Phthalates (often hidden under “fragrance”)

Phthalates are linked to newborn developmental concerns in some studies.² When possible, choose synthetic fragrance-free or phthalate-free products. All Arey haircare is clean and phthalate-free because we only use natural fragrances.

How to Build Your Pregnancy-Safe Haircare Routine

Your best plan for pregnancy-safe haircare is to create a simple, effective routine that supports healthy hair and your overall health throughout your fertility journey.

Your fertility journey is important to us. That's why we offer up to 25% off on all subscription orders to help keep you on track with your hair health goals before, during, and post-pregnancy.

We are Arey.

Have questions? Check out our FAQ page or say hey@areygrey.com.

Jay Small with customer

AuthorJay SmallJay Small is a sought-after hair stylist and Trichologist in Los Angeles with over 22 years of experience. His clients consist of high-profile business and creative leaders. He trained as an apprentice to the owner of Paul Mitchell and worked in education and product development for Paul Mitchell Systems. Jay is incredibly passionate about the creative process both in terms of styling hair and developing effective products.

REFERENCES:

How Vitamin Deficiencies Can Cause Grey Hair. Here’s What to Do

The Best Deep Conditioner for Soft, Shiny Grey Hair

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