# Safe / Unsafe Beauty Treatments During Pregnancy **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561 "2005-04-15T22:34:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/1 "2005-04-15T22:34:32Z")
Rather than continue to hijack [this poor thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=311910) I thought I would start one of my own. (I’m sure it’ll sink like a stone like many of mine do, but what the heck). Are there any beauty treatments that are unsafe during pregnancy? I’m thinking pedicures, manicures, fake-n-bake tanning, eyebrow tinting, etc? Looking on the internet gets mighty confusing, and yeah, I’ll ask my doctor next week but he’s a man and probably won’t know anyway. I figure since I’m only 9 weeks along and already feeling MIGHTY unattractive, I want to do everything I can to take care of the little girly things so at least some PARTS of me are cute. (Besides my nice new fat & full b00bies which I’m very much enjoying). Any thoughts out there? ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/2 "2005-04-15T22:42:05Z")
Nothing that may involve you breathing heavy fumes, such as haircolor, perms, or acrylic nails. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/3 "2005-04-15T22:45:22Z")
I had perms and acrylic nails all through my pregancy. Probably only two perms, but I had my nails done every two weeks or so. I don’t remember the fumes being that bad or being warned against it. You might ask your doctor about that. I would think fake and bake would be a big no no, but I could be wrong. I don’t think I’d do it even if the doc says it’s ok. It just seems weird and risky. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/4 "2005-04-15T22:50:38Z")
Do you mean the spray-on tanning or something like a tanning bed. Neither of them sounds like a really good idea. You definitely want to avoid anything that might raise your temperature too much, though, like a sauna or hottub. I’ve never used a tanning bed, so I don’t know if they fall into that category. Also, anyone who gives you a massage should probably know you are pregnant. You don’t need to avoid massages–it can be really heavenly–but you should go to someone who knows how to treat pregnant women. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/5 "2005-04-15T23:09:48Z")
Everyone’s OB is going to be different, but mine says there is absolutely no medical reason to avoid colouring your hair, perming your hair or using sunless tanning lotion. The only “beauty” thing he mentioned really was that is was unwise to get teeth whitened (either at the dentist or over the counter). Not because it has been specifically shown to hurt the fetus, but because of the condition of a pregnant woman’s gums. I love how all the books conflict with each other too. ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/6 "2005-04-16T16:46:17Z")
Well, ok, but the important part of my post was the avoidance of the heavy fumes. Sometimes I have gotten my nails done and gotten lightheaded from the fumes in the salon, and DIY haircolor can get pretty stinky, too. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/7 "2005-04-16T17:56:52Z")
The day I went into labour - two weeks early - I’d had a hair cut and soaked my feet in a peppermint footbath (Body Shop). Could’ve been coincidence I suppose. I’d had my legs sugared a couple of days previously. At least I looked OK in those post-natal ‘tired but euphoric’ photos! ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/8 "2005-04-17T06:35:57Z")
Hey **Stainz** , you can hyjack my thread anytime! 🙂 Seriously, hearing everyone’s input really makes me feel a lot less alone. I recently moved to PA from New York and I don’t have any friends close by, let alone pregnant ones…I feel like we’re all bonding in our hormonal angst! Ha… Anyway, I’ve heard that because tanning beds can raise your body temperature to 102 degrees it’s not a good idea…and can cause spinal malformations in developing babies. After what **Cyros** said in my thread I called my doc and asked about self tanning cream. She said it was fine. Yay! ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/9 "2005-04-17T06:39:44Z")
Uh, that would be _hijack_ :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/10 "2005-04-17T16:52:54Z")
Well, I don’t get that hot when I go to a tanning booth … and I was REALLY hoping to get a bit of colour before my wedding next month. Thanks for the heads up - I will DEFINITELY be asking the OB when I see him next week. (Self-tanner just does NOT work for me - my skin is too weird - no matter how much I prep it - exfoliate, moisturize, blah blah blah) - the stuff STILL ends up soooo streaky and orange and obvious. I have tried at least 5 different brands, with the same results. I am naturally VERY pale so I guess that’s part of the problem.) Funny how this thread came full circle back to **Shana** ’s … 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ShadiRoxan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ShadiRoxan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadiRoxan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/11 "2005-04-17T16:56:49Z")
> [@Shana](#): > > Seriously, hearing everyone’s input really makes me feel a lot less alone. I recently moved to PA from New York and I don’t have any friends close by, let alone pregnant ones…I feel like we’re all bonding in our hormonal angst! Ha… I moved in the middle of my pregnancy too. I knew no one, especially no one who was pregnant. What helped me through it was joining a LiveJournal community with women due around the same time as me. I ended up making some online friends and now we all have children within a month of each other. You don’t necessarily have to join LiveJournal. I believe Yahoo has birth groups. It really makes you feel not so alone. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/12 "2005-04-17T19:02:05Z")
> [@Shana](#): > > Seriously, hearing everyone’s input really makes me feel a lot less alone. I recently moved to PA from New York and I don’t have any friends close by, let alone pregnant ones…I feel like we’re all bonding in our hormonal angst! Ha… I know how you feel. I don’t have any friends or family nearby either. No one will be helping me after the birth. I’ve never even babysat an infant. I’m freakin’ terrified. ---
**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/13 "2005-04-17T23:37:19Z")
We should start a group somehow - Pregnant Dopers Unite!!! I’ve NEVER been an “oooh ahhhh look at the BAYYYYBEEE!” kind of chick. I’m thrilled to be expecting one in November but I’m very frightened too … and stressed … and wondering what the heck is wrong with me that I’m not more excited. Not sure when they do the first ultrasound in this province but I’m hoping that will make it more ‘real’ and exciting somehow. Right now it’s just ucky and scary and worrisome, especially since I’m 35 and I keep hearing nightmare stories about “OLDER women” and the difficulties they’ll have … ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safe-unsafe-beauty-treatments-during-pregnancy/299561/14 "2005-04-18T00:24:14Z")
> [@Stainz](#): > > I’ve NEVER been an “oooh ahhhh look at the BAYYYYBEEE!” kind of chick. Me neither! > [@Stainz](#): > > I’m thrilled to be expecting one in November but I’m very frightened too … and stressed … and wondering what the heck is wrong with me that I’m not more excited. It’s hard to be enthused when you’re sick and exhausted and stressed out for months on end. > [@Stainz](#): > > Not sure when they do the first ultrasound in this province but I’m hoping that will make it more ‘real’ and exciting somehow. In most provinces, you’ll get an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks, appropriately. Mine is next week (19 weeks). > [@Stainz](#): > > Right now it’s just ucky and scary and worrisome, especially since I’m 35 and I keep hearing nightmare stories about “OLDER women” and the difficulties they’ll have … ☹ I’m 32 and my mother is convinced that I’ve had all the troubles I’ve had (bleeding, cramping, pain, severe morning sickness, blah blah blah) because I’m “old”. My mother had her children very (obscenely) early in life and apparently pregnancies were a piece of cake. Shut up already, mom!