Pregnancy pampering FAQs
Your hair is looking luscious, but should you steer clear of the salon while pregnant? What about chemical peels to keep you in the glow? Here’s how you might need to change your beauty routine for the next nine months, and what’s perfectly safe to keep d
YOU’RE MAKING ANOTHER human being, which can make you feel (and sometimes look) exhausted. You might want to rush to the salon or spa for your usual beauty pep-up, but beware – some treatments are contraindicated while pregnant. This means they’re not safe, or they actually can’t be tested for safety, since this will have to happen with pregnant women. We asked our local experts about what’s safe and what’s not…
CAN I HAVE LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Tzvia says, “We don’t treat pregnant or breastfeeding women, as there are no trials to test for safety. Although laser doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin, we prefer to wait until after our clients have given birth and have finished breastfeeding.”
Besides, pregnancy can make laser less effective. Candice says, “Even if you wanted to, hormones play a big role in hair growth, so laser hair removal may not be as effective as it would be when you’re not pregnant.”
MY HAIR IS GROWING SO FAST! CAN I GO FOR MY USUAL WAX?
Candice says, “Waxing is perfectly safe during pregnancy, but due to your increased blood circulation, it may feel slightly more painful than usual.”
IS IT SAFE TO HAVE BOTOX AND FILLERS WHILE PREGNANT?
Tim Nicolopoulos from Opera Medical Aesthetics in Douglasdale in Gauteng says that fillers and Botox are not safe to have during pregnancy, because of the risk of infection, which is always a possibility. Anywhere where there is an injection site means there is the slight chance of infection, and technicians won’t treat pregnant women because of this.
MY NAILS LOOK FABULOUS, BUT CAN I STILL HAVE MY ACRYLIC OR GELISH NAILS DONE?
Candice says, “Yes, acrylic and gel nails are perfectly safe to continue doing during pregnancy, as long as the salon is well ventilated to avoid fumes that may cause nausea.”
CAN I HAVE A BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT?
Dominic du Plessis from Domrepublic Hairstylists in Parkhurst, Joburg, says, “Brazilian blowouts are not safe during pregnancy.” This is because one of the main active ingredients in a Brazilian blowout is formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Though the amount of formaldehyde is quite low in the product, many stylists won’t take the risk of this treatment on their pregnant clients, as research shows that extreme exposure to formaldehyde can result in certain cancers and has been linked to miscarriages. So, embrace the frizz, Mama!
WHAT ABOUT HAVING MY HAIR HIGHLIGHTED?
“It’s an old wives’ tale that you can’t highlight your hair while pregnant,” says Dominic. “It’s impossible for the product to enter the bloodstream, as it’s applied off-scalp. During the third trimester, the colour might not take all the way, however, so it’s best to wait until after you have had your baby.”
MY BODY FEELS ACHY AND TIRED. CAN I HAVE A MASSAGE? Your Pregnancy magazine specialist editor Tina Otte says, “You can definitely have a massage, especially as you pass the halfway mark in your pregnancy and your muscles and joints start to take strain as you get heavier and changes to your posture occur. Make sure you work with a qualified massage therapist and perhaps avoid using essential oils, unless your therapist is knowledgeable about which ones are safe to use in pregnancy. Many therapists will only treat you once you are past the first trimester.” Candice says, “We advise to avoid having massages during the first trimester, as there’s an increased risk of having a miscarriage. However, there are so many benefits to pregnancy massage, like relieving stress and anxiety, muscle cramps, and spasms, to increasing blood and lymph circulation, which helps with reducing swelling.”
ARE HOT TUBS, STEAM ROOMS, AND SAUNAS SAFE?
Tina says, “All of these are not recommended during pregnancy, no matter what trimester you’re in. Due to the changes to your cardiovascular system and the likelihood of blood pooling in dilated blood vessels, you’re more at risk of fainting or slipping. Also, the heat in a sauna or steam room can cause dehydration and overheating, which also put your developing baby at risk.”
CAN I HAVE MY TEETH WHITENED? Tim says, “Teeth whitening is contraindicated during pregnancy. It’s best to avoid cosmetic treatments that aren’t necessary during pregnancy.” The American Dental Association agrees, stating that due to the potential safety concerns regarding bleaching materials, pregnant women should delay any teeth whitening procedures.
CAN I HAVE A TATTOO DONE? Melody Kaye, marketing manager at Fallen Heroes Tattoo Studio in Parkhurst, Joburg, says, “We’re tattoo artists and not doctors; however, because we put our client’s safety first, we’re very careful about this. We don’t tattoo pregnant women. Being tattooed opens you up to the risk of infection, as well as the very small possibility of being infected with hepatitis, which would be avoided with strict studio hygiene and a thorough knowledge of cross contamination. A regular infection in a tattoo becomes difficult to treat, due to the limitations of what medication pregnant women are allowed to have. Also, the adrenalin the body releases when being tattooed is an added unnecessary stress on the body, which we prefer our clients to avoid. The same goes for breastfeeding women.”