Hair dye, nails and beauty treatments in pregnancy: what’s OK and what to skip

Being pregnant doesn’t mean giving up your hair appointments or your nails. Most everyday treatments are thought to be fine, though your skin and hair can react differently in pregnancy, and a few treatments are best left until after your baby arrives.

Hair dye and highlights

Most research shows it’s safe to dye or colour your hair while you’re pregnant. The chemicals in hair dye could only cause harm at very high doses, and your scalp doesn’t absorb much dye, especially if it’s healthy. Hair bleaching is also thought to be safe for the same reason.

Some people choose to wait until after the first 12 weeks, when the risk of harm to the baby is lower. Pregnancy can also change how your hair takes colour, so it may not come out quite as you expect.

To keep any risk as low as possible:

Always do a strand test first, even with a dye you’ve used before.
At a salon, tell your stylist you’re pregnant and ask for a patch test, even if they’ve used the same dye on you before.
At home, wear gloves (skin can be more easily irritated in pregnancy), use a well-ventilated room, leave the dye on for the minimum time, and rinse your scalp well.
Highlights reduce any risk further, because the dye only goes on the hair, not your scalp.
If you’d rather avoid chemical dyes, a semi-permanent pure vegetable dye such as henna is an alternative. Avoid ‘black henna’, which can contain PPD and cause serious allergic reactions. Use pure plant henna only.

Nails

There’s no guidance to avoid nail treatments during pregnancy. Acrylic fumes can be strong (nail technicians sometimes find they cause headaches and nausea), so if smells bother you at the moment, choose a well-ventilated salon.

Fake tan and sunbeds

Fake tan creams and lotions are generally considered safe in pregnancy. Tommy’s says the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), is non-toxic and isn’t absorbed into the body. Do a patch test first, because hormone changes can make your skin more sensitive than usual.

Spray tans are best avoided, because the effects of breathing in the chemicals aren’t known. Tanning pills shouldn’t be used.

Sunbeds and tanning booths aren’t recommended. They increase the risk of skin cancer whether you’re pregnant or not, and there are theoretical concerns that they could raise your body temperature in early pregnancy and lower your folic acid levels.

Hair removal

Waxing, shaving, hair removal creams and bleaching are considered safe in pregnancy. Your skin may be more sensitive, so try a small patch first. The effects of permanent hair removal, such as laser or IPL, aren’t known in pregnancy, so it’s best to wait until after your baby is born.

Skincare and spots

Acne creams and gels containing topical retinoids, such as tretinoin and adapalene, aren’t suitable in pregnancy, as there’s a risk they might cause birth defects.
Isotretinoin tablets for acne must not be taken in pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. You need to stop them at least a month before trying.
If you need antibiotics for acne in pregnancy, you’ll usually be offered one called erythromycin.
If you’re not sure about a skincare product, ask a pharmacist.

Botox and fillers

The UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS, via bumps) recommends avoiding cosmetic Botox in pregnancy as a precaution. No risks have been found, but only around 250 pregnant women who had Botox have been studied, and cosmetic treatment has no health benefit. Some other sources, such as NCT, say it is generally thought safe with caution. Fillers aren’t advised in pregnancy.

If you had Botox before you knew you were pregnant, try not to worry. When it’s injected correctly, Botox should stay in the muscles being treated, and no extra checks for your baby are needed.

Teeth

NHS dental treatment is free while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby is born, so it’s a good time for a check-up. In England you’ll need a maternity exemption certificate (ask your midwife or GP) as proof. Your gums can be more sensitive in pregnancy. The NHS says teeth whitening isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and should only be done by a dental professional.

Massage, saunas and hot tubs

A relaxing massage is fine, but avoid deep tissue massage, and your tummy shouldn’t be massaged. If you’re thinking about aromatherapy, some essential oils are best avoided: see which essential oils are safe in pregnancy.

We don’t know for sure whether saunas and hot tubs are safe in pregnancy, because studies have had mixed results. The risk of miscarriage seemed highest in women who used hot tubs often and at higher temperatures. If you might be pregnant, you may prefer to avoid them, or keep sessions short and the temperature lower.

Tattoos and microblading

There’s no research on the risks of tattoo ink in pregnancy, and reputable practitioners won’t tattoo you while you’re pregnant.

At the salon

Tell your stylist or therapist you’re pregnant, even early on.
Ask for patch tests, as your skin can react differently in pregnancy.
If smells make you feel sick, book a quieter time or a well-ventilated salon.

Questions people ask

Can I dye my hair in the first trimester?

Most research shows hair dye is safe in pregnancy, because very little is absorbed through your scalp. Some people prefer to wait until after 12 weeks, when the risk to the baby is lower.

Are gel or acrylic nails safe when pregnant?

There’s no guidance to avoid nail treatments in pregnancy. If the fumes bother you, choose a well-ventilated salon.

Can I use fake tan when pregnant?

Tanning creams and lotions are generally considered safe, but patch test first. Spray tans are best avoided, because the effects of breathing in the spray aren’t known.

I had Botox before I knew I was pregnant. Is my baby OK?

No risks have been found in the pregnancies that have been studied, and Botox injected correctly should stay in the treated muscles. No extra checks are needed. Avoid further cosmetic Botox until after your pregnancy.

Can I use retinol skincare when pregnant?

The NHS says prescription retinoids for acne, such as tretinoin and adapalene, aren’t suitable in pregnancy. There is no clear UK guidance on shop-bought retinol skincare, so ask a pharmacist, or avoid it as a precaution.