Whats Safe and Unsafe:Beauty and Spa Safety

Can I get in a hot tub during pregnancy?

Electrolysis

Many pregnant women find they have excess hair growth due to pregnancy hormones. If you experience this it is best to wait until after you deliver when the extra hair will most likely go away on its own. If the hair really bothers you, you can shave or tweeze in the meantime if you want. If you've had excess hair for some time and now want to get rid of it, it's completely fine to have electrolysis done on your face during pregnancy. To be on the safe side, you might want to wait until after your baby is born to have the procedure done on your abdomen, bikini area, or chest. You shouldn't have electrolysis on your breasts (particularly around the nipples) during the last couple weeks of pregnancy, especially if you're going to breastfeed. To remove the hair, the electrologist inserts a sterile probe -a teeny needle- into the follicle of the unwanted hair. Then she sends a slight electrical current through the probe that destroys the hair's root so it can't grow back. The skin is not punctured, so there's no bleeding, and as long as your electrologist uses sterile tools, there's no risk of infection. Depending on how your skin responds to electrolysis your technician may recommend use of antibiotic cream or antiseptic liquid to speed the healing. People with sensitive skin sometimes find electrolysis uncomfortable but it shouldn't be painful.

Bleaching Body Hair
There is no evidence that the use of topically applied bleach or depilatories increases the risk of birth defects. The use of bleach during pregnancy hasn't been well studied. Most likely, very little of the chemical would seep into your bloodstream and get to your baby. If you choose to bleach or chemically remove facial or body hair, you can minimize your potential risk by rinsing your skin with cold water beforehand (to keep your pores small), working in a well-ventilated area, and limiting the amount of time the products stay on your skin.

Bleaching Teeth

At this time there is no evidence that bleaching your teeth will impose any significant risk to you or your baby. To be on the safe side, it is recommended that women wait until after the pregnancy is over and they're done nursing to have their teeth bleached. You should see your dentist during pregnancy to have your teeth cleaned and your dentist can offer additional information on bleaching. Read more about teeth care

Hair Coloring
It is important for pregnant women to feel good about themselves. If coloring your hair is important to you, it is best to wait until after the first trimester. An alternative to hair dye that you might consider is highlighting, painting, or frosting your hair. You absorb hair-coloring agents into your system through your skin (scalp), not through your hair shaft. So, any process, such as streaking, that puts less of the chemical in contact with your scalp reduces your exposure to the compounds in dyes. Read more about hair care

Perming Hair
While getting or giving a perm-make sure you are in a well ventilated area. It's not so much that getting the perm is a problem. It's that your hair isn't going to respond in a predictable manner when you're pregnant. The hormones of pregnancy change the composition and texture of your hair. So the perm may or may not hold.

Bikini Waxing, Eyebrow Waxing, Etc..
Because you don't absorb those waxes through your skin, there's nothing unsafe about it. But because you have more blood flowing to your skin now -- especially in your pubic area -- you'll probably be more sensitive to anything that tugs or pulls, so that bikini wax is likely to be more painful than usual. You're also more likely to have some broken blood vessels (harmless but visible) after the waxing.

Facials
Facials are safe during pregnancy. Since your skin is more sensitive now, you should be more careful about pulling and tugging on your face. Ask the facialist to go easy. Pregnancy can also cause skin discolorations and increased visibility of blood vessels, so even if your facialist is gentle, you may be disappointed with the results.

Manicure
There is neither positive or negative scientific evidence of getting a manicure while pregnant. When you go and sit and have someone do your nails, your exposure to any potentially dangerous chemicals is pretty minimal. It is best to avoid the nail salon during the first trimester. If you decide to have a manicure done, avoid the busy time (there will be less fumes) and ask to take a short break during the process to get some fresh air.

Acrylic Nails
If you're just having acrylic nails put on, you're probably not exposed to enough of any hazardous materials to create any significant hazard to your pregnancy. Some of the chemicals involved can be absorbed through the skin, but you're not likely to be exposed to great enough amounts to pose a danger other than a possible allergic reaction and skin rash.

Seaweed Wrap
Seaweed wraps are not recommended for pregnant women. A seaweed wrap generally involves heat and could raise your core body temperature too high. A raised internal body temperature, especially early in the pregnancy, can cause birth defects. You could also get dehydrated, which leads to uterine irritability and contractions.

Tattoos
Women should avoid getting tattoos during their pregnancies. Your skin changes during pregnancy and that may change the way the tattoo looks after you deliver the baby. In addition, if the equipment is not properly sterilized, there's always the risk of transmission of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Tanning Beds
Melanoma is the only type of cancer that spreads to the placenta, and that could be disastrous for both you and your baby. Ther is also the risk of getting overheated in the tanning booth. Raising your internal temperature can cause birth defects and/or dehydration-which leads to uterine irritability and contractions. There is also the concern that lying on your back for too long might restrict blood to your heart and thus to your baby as well. Pregnant women with sensitive skin who expose themselves to ultraviolet rays (whether from tanning beds or the sun), may be more prone to chloasma, those dark skin splotches that can appear on the face and occasionally the arms during pregnancy.

Self Tanning Lotions/creams
The look of sun-kissed skin that a self-tanner provides can do wonders for your self-esteem. The ingredients in self-tanners are harmless, so it's fine to use them during pregnancy. These lotions and sprays are basically dyes that stay on the surface of your skin and won't harm your developing baby.

Hot Tubs
It is not a good idea to soak in a hot tub unless you can control the temperature and set it at no more than 100 degrees. Soaking in hot water or sitting in a hot, steamy room can make you overheat, which raises your heart rate and reduces blood flow to your uterus. This can put your baby under stress or interfere with normal development. And because pregnant women have a hard time cooling down, you're more likely to pass out if you get overheated in a hot tub or sauna.

Belly Button Rings
As the belly stretches during pregnancy, having a belly button ring can be really painful. Some people remove their ring and put in a sleeper, a little plastic stud that holds the hole open. Some women have gone through their whole pregnancy without taking it out. It all depends on how big the baby gets and how you react to the pregnancy. Getting one when you're pregnant is not advisable, however, because of the risk of infection. Read more about belly buttons

Comments: Whats Safe and Unsafe - Beauty-and-Spa-Safety

Comments 1 to 2 of about 2.

michelle5288 - 254 days ago.
I use the clearasil daily face was twice a day. In general, salicyclic acid is a no-no. That's what my doc said and you can do research on it like I did. Everything basically advises against it. Honestly, I'd rather have breakouts than risk any harm to my baby. From what I've seen using something with benzyl peroxide is just fine but be sure to use a moisturizer as well. I had breakouts when I was in my first few months but that cleared and now I look great, and like I said all I've used is the clearasil daily face wash :)

Thrilled1981 - 254 days ago.
what does everyone use on their face for breakouts? I have been using the clinqiue acne line which has salicylic acid 1% only. Is this safe? I am worried becuase I read not to use this. Please help!!!