Plant-based colour · Gràcia, Barcelona
Hair dye during pregnancy in Barcelona: colour without ammonia or PPD
Mi Momento is an organic hair salon in Gràcia, Barcelona, specialising in certified plant-based colour free from ammonia, PPD and resorcinol. It is suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for people with an allergy to hair dye. Every appointment starts with a consultation.
Can I dye my hair while pregnant?
Yes, with precautions. The usual concern is the ammonia, PPD and resorcinol in conventional dyes. At Mi Momento we work with certified plant-based colour that contains none of the three, and we do a consultation at every appointment. If you have doubts, check with your midwife or doctor.
The usual advice is to wait until the second trimester and to avoid dyes with ammonia and PPD. Plant-based colour contains neither: it is ground tinctorial plants, clays and minerals mixed with hot water, which colour the outside of the hair without opening it. At the consultation we look at your scalp and hair with a micro-camera and adapt the mix to your case.
Many clients come for the first time while pregnant or breastfeeding, and it is one of the reasons they choose hair muds.
«Very happy with my treatments. I have had two hair muds and an organic hair botox so far, all during my first and second trimesters of pregnancy.»
What we use — and what we don't
- No ammonia
- No PPD (paraphenylenediamine)
- No resorcinol
- No parabens
- Vegan and not tested on animals
- Tinctorial plants, clays and minerals: Lawsonia (henna), Cassia, Indigo and walnut, mixed with hot water just before use
Hair muds and plant colour: how it works
Hair muds are ground tinctorial plants mixed with hot water and applied to clean hair. The colour stays on the outside of the fibre, wrapping around it, instead of opening it and changing it from the inside as an oxidation dye does. That is why they need no ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, and why they do not lighten: they add to the colour you already have.
Grey hair works the same way: the muds do not hide it, they glaze it. The grey blends into your colour, in a lighter, warmer shade, like a highlight, and the effect builds up over the first sessions. As it grows out it leaves no line, because new grey contrasts little with the glazed hair. Shades run from golden to dark brown, and also include reds and coppers.
The first appointment takes about 90 minutes: consultation with the micro-camera, wash, application of your freshly made mix, processing time and rinse. After that, the roots are touched up roughly every six weeks, and the rest of the colour softens gradually without oxidising.
What about “ammonia-free” supermarket dyes?
“Ammonia-free” does not mean “PPD-free”. Most box dyes swap the ammonia for other alkaline agents and keep the PPD, the ingredient that causes the most reactions. A patch test at home is unreliable: it is done once, on a small area, without knowing what to look for. A consultation in the salon settles the doubts before anything is applied.
| Supermarket “ammonia-free” dye | Plant-based colour at Mi Momento | |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | No (replaced by other alkaline agents) | No |
| PPD | Usually yes | No |
| Resorcinol | Common | No |
| Test beforehand | Yourself, at home | In-salon consultation (€20, deducted from the treatment) |
If you are allergic to hair dye (PPD)
Our colour contains no PPD, the ingredient in hair dye that causes the most reactions. If you have ever reacted to a dye, tell us when you book. If it is your first time with plants and your mix contains Indigo, we do a patch test on your arm first; and if you are allergic to nuts, especially walnuts, let us know, because the walnut can cause a reaction.
The result does not change because you come with an allergy: the colour, the shine and the care of your scalp are the same as for any other client.
What the appointment is like
- Initial consultation · We look at your hair and scalp with the micro-camera, talk about what you want and give you a fixed quote. The consultation costs €20 and is deducted from the price of the treatment.
- Sensitivity test (if needed) · If it is your first time with plants and the mix contains Indigo, we do a patch test on your arm before applying it.
- Application · We wash your hair and apply your freshly made mix, warm. While it works, you have a herbal tea.
- Result and aftercare · We rinse, moisturise if your hair needs it and explain what to use at home and when to come back.
Duration: about 90 minutes. Price: hair muds from €120, with a fixed quote at the consultation, which costs €20 and is deducted from the treatment. If you have reacted to a dye before, tell us when you book.
How it looks on a real client.
Sara came in seven months pregnant. She had always used chemical dye, had a lot of grey from the roots and wanted to keep her colour during pregnancy. Three frames from the same video, unretouched: how she arrived, the roots afterwards and the result.
i.
Before
The roots on arrival, with the grey clearly showing. Sara was coming off chemical dye and her grey grows fast.
ii.
After
The same roots afterwards: the grey glazed into the brown, not fully hidden. It blends in more with every session.
iii.
The result
“Very different from the dyes I usually used: no itching at all.” Her hair felt loose, with no dryness. She'll be back in about six weeks.
Frames from the salon's real video, published on our Instagram in December 2025. Unretouched.
Frequently asked questions about dyeing your hair during pregnancy
Can I dye my hair while pregnant?
Yes, with precautions. The usual concern is the ammonia, PPD and resorcinol in conventional dyes. At Mi Momento we work with certified plant-based colour that contains none of the three, and we do a consultation at every appointment. At the consultation we look at your hair and scalp with a micro-camera and adapt the mix to your case. If you have doubts, check with your midwife or doctor.
Is it better to wait until after the first trimester to dye?
Many women prefer to wait until week 12–13 as a precaution. With plant-based colour free from ammonia and PPD we can work in any trimester; at the initial consultation we review your case and decide together. Some clients have had hair muds in their first and second trimesters. Check with your midwife if you have doubts.
What dye do you use and what does it not contain?
We use hair muds: tinctorial plants such as Lawsonia (henna), Cassia, Indigo and walnut, with clays and minerals, mixed with hot water just before use. They contain no ammonia, PPD, resorcinol or parabens. At the consultation we show you the plants and your mix.
Does plant-based colour work on grey hair?
It does not hide grey hair: it glazes it. The grey blends into your colour, in a lighter, warmer shade, like a highlight, and the effect builds up over the first sessions. As it grows out it leaves no marked line. If you want grey hidden completely and opaquely, only a chemical dye does that.
How long does it last and how often do I need to repeat it?
The roots are touched up roughly every six weeks, because new hair grows in without colour. On the rest of the hair the colour softens gradually, with no root line, and you can refresh it whenever you like.
Can I dye my hair while breastfeeding?
Yes. The same applies as during pregnancy: we work without ammonia, PPD or resorcinol and with a consultation first. Many clients come to us while breastfeeding. If you have doubts, check with your midwife or paediatrician.
Does it work if I am allergic to hair dye (PPD)?
Yes. Our colour contains no PPD. If you have reacted before, tell us when you book: if it is your first time with plants and the mix contains Indigo, we do a patch test on your arm before applying it, and we adapt the service to your case.
How much does it cost and how long does the appointment take?
Hair muds cost from €120. You book them with a €20 consultation first, which is deducted from the price of the treatment; at it we look at your hair with the micro-camera and give you a fixed quote. The appointment takes about 90 minutes.
Eva Moreno, founder of Mi Momento and hair mud specialist, with more than ten years running the salon. Mi Momento, Gràcia, Barcelona.