Perms While Pregnant: Are They Safe?

Pregnancy is a time of change. Even our hair wants to get in on the action and often goes crazy because of hormone fluctuations. As your body seems to be changing in every possible way, you may wish to keep a sense of normalcy where you can.

If you struggle with taming your tresses, you may wonder if there’s any harm in getting a perm while pregnant.

We’ll discuss whether it’s safe or recommended and if there are other options you can consider for maintaining your style.

Is It Safe to Get a Perm While Pregnant?

People have debated the safety of perms during pregnancy for decades. Unfortunately, we still don’t have enough research to make a solid conclusion.

Studies have shown no evidence to suggest that pregnant hairdressers who handle chemicals for perms and dyes multiple times per day have any greater risk of pregnancy complications ⁽¹⁾.

Some say this is confirmation that it’s safe to get a perm during pregnancy. But others still argue that any exposure to chemicals puts your preborn baby at risk.

Ultimately, you will have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for you and your baby.

If you choose to get a perm while pregnant, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk.

• Wait until after the first trimester: Your baby’s development is much more stable in the second and third trimesters. By the second trimester, the risk of miscarriage is reduced by over 80% ⁽²⁾.
• Ensure adequate ventilation: Pregnancy heightens the senses. If the area is not properly ventilated, you may become nauseated or dizzy.
• Limit hair treatments: Try to hold off as long as you can between treatments to further reduce any chemical absorption.

Can I Get a Spiral Perm While Pregnant?

The key difference between spiral perms and other types of perms is the way the hairdresser applies the rods. With a spiral perm, rods are held vertically while the hair is wrapped around them. With other styles of perms, the rods are rolled horizontally ⁽³⁾.

Since the chemicals used for all perms are similar, there is no evidence of more risk with one style of perm than another. However, with a spiral perm, the solution is applied closer to your scalp, so there may be a higher chance of chemicals being absorbed into your bloodstream than with some other perm styles.

Can I Perm Someone’s Hair While Pregnant

In studies involving hundreds of hairdressers, there was no evidence to conclude that their babies were at any greater risk of birth defects, preterm births, or miscarriages. No later impacts were observed in their children’s cognitive development. This suggests that perming or dyeing people’s hair doesn’t negatively affect an otherwise healthy pregnancy or child ⁽⁴⁾.

To prevent any potential risks, however, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. And always wear gloves when in direct contact with any chemicals.

FAQs About Hair Treatments During Pregnancy

Here are the answers to several common questions about getting chemical hair treatments while pregnant.

Can I Bleach My Hair During the First Trimester?

Hair bleaches are generally considered to be low in toxicity ⁽⁵⁾. However, many doctors recommend waiting until after the first trimester to bleach your hair.

Can I Dye My Hair While Pregnant

If you’ve ever dyed your hair, you know strong chemicals are used to attain that perfect-for-you color. Those powerful fumes are a good indicator of this.

However, although this is another area that requires more research, the few studies that have been completed show minimal absorption of those chemicals by the body ⁽⁶⁾. No adverse effects have been linked to dyeing hair while pregnant ⁽⁷⁾.

If you prefer to decrease any risks, try getting highlights instead of full coloring. This would limit the chemicals that come in contact with your skull. Alternatively, you may choose to use henna or vegetable-based dyes.

Can You Put a Relaxer in Your Hair While Pregnant?

If you’re hoping to avoid having curls that look to be the result of electrocution for the entire nine months of your pregnancy, there are options to consider.

Many experts consider hair straightening treatments, or relaxers, to be as safe as using perms, bleaches, or hair dyes while pregnant. But again, there has not been enough research in this area.

Experts strongly recommend that pregnant women stay away from relaxers that contain keratin. Keratin treatments are commonly used for Brazilian blowouts, but keratin is found in many other straightening treatments as well. These products may contain potentially risky amounts of formaldehyde ⁽⁸⁾.

Some women choose to avoid relaxers during pregnancy and opt for blow drying and straightening their hair instead.

Which Hair Treatments Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?

The following treatments are not recommended for use during pregnancy:

• Cortisone shampoos: Pregnant women should avoid any potent corticosteroid products, including some prescription dandruff shampoos ⁽⁹⁾.
• Keratin treatments: Any hair product containing keratin should be avoided due to the potentially high levels of formaldehyde often found in these products ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Playing It Safe

Although many experts and women believe chemical hair treatments are safe to use during pregnancy, there hasn’t been adequate research.

If you choose to perm, bleach, or dye your hair during pregnancy, consider taking some precautions. Wait until the second or third trimester, ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area during treatment and use gloves when handling chemicals. Overall, limit the number of treatments you receive while pregnant.

For maximum safety, avoid chemical treatments altogether, and reach for standard heat-styling methods instead. Plug in that curling iron, blow dryer, or flat iron, and whip those locks into shape!