• Hair Color -- If you colored your hair before getting pregnant, you're probably wondering whether it's still safe. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy answer. Since the scalp is a very absorptive surface, small amounts of chemicals do get into the bloodstream when you dye your hair. In animal studies, hair chemicals have been linked to birth defects. However, this occurred when there was a significantly larger exposure to the chemicals than you get with a routine hair-color treatment. At the same time, other studies conducted on humans indicate that it is safe to color your hair while pregnant. The bottom line is that the research is still quite limited. Many doctors suggest waiting until the second or third trimester to dye your hair--since the first trimester is when your baby's development is most vulnerable to outside factors. Also, it may be preferable to highlight just some of your hair (see below) rather than color it completely, since highlighting requires less chemicals and less of the scalp is exposed to the dye.



• Highlights -- When hair is highlighted (as opposed to completely colored), the hair-dye chemicals are less-likely to sit directly on the scalp and have less opportunity to be absorbed into the body. This may be safer than overall hair coloring, so if it works well for you, it may be a better choice during pregnancy.



• Perms and Straighteners -- Like hair coloring, getting your hair permed or straightened also involves chemicals that come into contact with the scalp and can get absorbed into the bloodstream. Most research, albeit limited, does indicate that it is safe to perm your hair while pregnant. As with hair coloring, doctors often suggest waiting until the second or third trimester, when your baby's development is no longer as vulnerable to outside factors.

• Nail Polish, Acrylics, Wraps, etc. -- For many pregnant women, indulging in a manicure or pedicure every now and then is a great way to pamper themselves and lift their spirits. In addition, as your belly grows, it often gets increasingly difficult to trim your toenails (not to mention paint them), making a pedicure all the more useful. While there is no evidence of any true danger associated with getting a manicure or pedicure during pregnancy, the chemical fumes that sometimes go along with these treatments can make you feel ill. Try to make sure that you are in a relatively open area with sufficient ventilation, and that you are not exposed to the vapors for a long period of time.

• Topical Acne Creams -- While some women find that their skin looks better during pregnancy than it has in years, many notice an increase in breakouts. It is unclear whether over-the-counter topical acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide are safe to use while you are pregnant. Prescription topical Azelaic acid is rated as probably safe (FDA category B), as are topical clindamycin (Cleocin) and erythromycin creams. Although Retinoic acid cream (Retin-A) is listed as FDA category C and has not been found to be dangerous for the fetus, a similar compound Isotretinoin (Accutane), which is taken orally, has been found to cause numerous birth defects if used in the first trimester. Since the two compounds are similar and since isotretinoin is so clearly dangerous for the baby, it may be best to avoid using topical retinoic acid during pregnancy as well, especially in the first trimester.



• Sun Block -- There is no evidence that the chemicals contained in sun blocks and sunscreens are absorbed into the body (or reach the baby) to any significant degree. If you want to be ultra-cautious, you can use one of the physical (also called non-chemical) varieties, which you can find at any drugstore. Bullfrog, Neutrogena, Mary Kay and many other common brands make this type of product.



• Tanning Booths -- Contrary to some rumors and popular beliefs, using a tanning booth is at least as bad for you as tanning in the sun. Burns and tans, no matter how you get them, increase the risk of wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer later in life. During pregnancy, sun exposure of the face can also cause melasma, a dark pigmentation that develops on the cheeks and forehead. And, despite commonly held beliefs, tanning before a trip does not make the sun you get during your vacation any safer. So while it may feel like a luxury to pamper yourself in the warmth of a tanning bed, it is better to find another approach to looking and feeling your best.



• Self-Tanning Lotions -- Although self-tanning solutions may turn out to be okay to use in pregnancy, at this time no research has proven that they are safe for the fetus. Experts recommend avoiding tanning lotions until more studies have been conducted. Overall, dermatologists say that self-tanning products are safer than harmful ultraviolet rays, and that they can give you the look you desire without the risk. But until research confirms this for pregnant women, it's best to wait until after the birth of your baby to use them.

• Teeth whiteners
  You may wonder if bleaching your teeth is safe in pregnancy. Most tooth whiteners, whether for home use or the type the dentist uses, contain a type of peroxide, and have not been studied for safety in pregnancy. It is probably best to avoid these products until safety information is available.

• Massage -- For many pregnant women getting a massage is an excellent way to relax and rejuvenate. However, if you are more than 20 weeks into your pregnancy, it's best not to lie flat on your back. Instead, prop a pillow under your right hip when you lie down. This tips the uterus off the great blood vessels, which lie at the back of your abdomen just to the right of your spine, and protects them from being compressed. When it comes to lying face down, many massage therapists offer a table made especially for pregnant women that has a cutout in the middle for your enlarging belly. If this type of table isn't available, it is best not to lie completely on your stomach (for obvious reasons, not the least of which is your own discomfort). Instead, lie on your side or straddle a chair for this portion of the massage.



• Hot Tubs and Saunas -- Getting overheated during pregnancy is bad for both you and the baby. Evidence suggests that raising your body temperature early in the first trimester while the fetal organs are forming can lead to birth defects, including spina bifida. However, these studies involved pregnant women who were ill with a high fever, not women who took saunas or hot baths. That said, getting overheated later in pregnancy can make you lightheaded or even faint. Given this information, it seems wise to avoid raising your body temperature during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. If you are going to go in a hot tub or sauna, make sure it's not too hot (under 100 degrees F) and that you're not in it too long. If you start feeling overheated or faint, get out immediately. Tub baths are generally fine in pregnancy, since they tend to be cooler, just keep the water at a reasonable and comfortable temperature.



• Tattoos and Piercings -- No health professional will advise you to get tattooed or pierced, particularly during pregnancy. If you plan to go ahead anyway, consider waiting until after you deliver. Then, choose a shop that practices the type of sterile technique that you would see in a hospital or doctor's office. Ask about how they prevent infection, and if they don't want to show you around and answer your questions, go elsewhere. Here's what to look for:
  
  
  • Needles should come from a sealed package and then only be used once.
  
  
  • Tattoo inks should be poured into sterile containers and discarded after use.
  
  
  • Equipment should be sterilized in an autoclave (a hot sterilization machine).
  
  
  • The artist should wash his or her hands before the procedure and wear disposable latex gloves.
  
  
  • The shop should look clean and not be cluttered with food or alcohol.
  
  
  Remember that anytime your blood might come in contact with someone else's blood or body fluids, you can get infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. These infections are not only a risk to the baby while you are pregnant, but put future babies and even your life at risk as well. The chance of serious infection is greatest if the shop doesn't use sterile technique and take body fluid precautions. Even when done properly, body piercings and tattoos may get infected from the normal germs that are present on your skin, in your mouth, or wherever you've gotten the tattoo or piercing.

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