Hair color, nails, ect.

katiegeminimoon

I know this is all personal preference, but I want to know how everyone else is handling these things! I don't have a problem not coloring my hair, but I get SNS on my nails. Apparently it's "natural" but they have to soak it off with acetone. I am finding mixed answers on it during pregnancy. What are you all planning on doing/not doing?

BayCamp

As far as my hair, I might get it done once this pregnancy. I do balayage (or however it's spelled) so the dye touching my scalp isn't an issue, but it's been almost a year since it was last done and something needs to happen here. 

I got my nails painted occasionally last pregnancy with no issue. I really didn't know it was a thing to avoid. Pedicures were my biggest treat to myself during 3rd tri. I didn't get acrylics because my nails were growing crazy fast and strong so I didn't need them. 

kissthesky32

I paint my nails and toenails. My hair color is natural, but I dye my eyebrows every 2 weeks. I think you're fine as long as you're not working in a nail salon or as a colorist and being around the chemicals all day.

adirat

Cross-post from what I put in the other thread. The current medical consensus seems to be that occupational exposure is a problem but incidental exposure is not. You need to do what you are comfortable with because those chemicals can be a problem in high doses.

Here's a lit review on the risks of occupational exposure: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260452/

FWIW the CDC only identifies risks in occupational exposure, not for those who have occasional exposure: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/manicure/ 

liz4382

I am not planning to color my hair, which is going to be super annoying because I have dark hair that shows grey really easily.  I think the smell would get to me.

I usually get my eyebrows tinted every 4 weeks or so--I have cancelled my appointments so far, but may start doing that again after the first trimester.  I'm going to talk to the spa and see what they usually recommend.  (I remember the lady telling me when I first started doing it that it is vegetable-based dye, plus they only leave it on for a minute or so.  They also use it on people's eyelashes, so it has to be pretty gentle!)

I usually paint my own nails, rarely go to a salon.  I will probably continue to do that (at least for my toes), although I will stop using the quick-dry top coat with all the crazy chemicals.  I do have some Jamberry nail wrap things from a party I went to a few years ago that I might use up to begin with (they are like stickers that adhere with heat, so no chemicals).  

Keep in mind that I am probably more cautious than most people about chemicals, etc. during pregnancy.  I just tend to worry a lot, usually unnecessarily :-).

ShePersisted

I will color my hair but will wait for trimester two to do it. I will also request a window seat and probably look for a ventilated salon. Same with nail care - however I don't mind going sooner if the salon is well ventilated. I think the key is to avoid the fumes from the bleach and there are effective ways to do it. I also would tell the stylist to be very careful about the chemical touching my scalp so it won't be a very close highlight for me. I might try ombré. Last time I had research and found the second trimester was the best time to get pampered. 

cmessamore

I colored my hair just before I found out I was pregnant. I will continue to do it every 6-8 weeks as usual. I foil my hair, so there isn't a ton of chemicals directly on my scalp and my hairdresser always keeps the area ventilated for me. I have done this with all three of my prior pregnancies and all my babies are wonderfully healthy. I will get pedicures as the weather gets warmer and I paint my finger nails on occasion. When we paint rooms in our house we use baby safe low VOC paint and ventilate the area well, to avoid unnecessary exposure. I feel people should just use common sense and do what they feel is right for them and their babies.

ArtificialRed

I use one of the lower chemical nail polishes, Zoya, which is supposedly a little safer. I dye my hair red with henna (hence the screen name) and that's obviously safe. But I'm afraid I can't tolerate the smell right now, so I'm forced to take a break from that anyway 

katiegeminimoon

Thanks for all the responses ladies! I think I am just going to take my SNS off and deal with my horribly brittle nails. It'll all be worth it in the end! No way I am giving up my pedicures though!

Tourmalily

I don't color my hair but sometimes my nails. Still, I do it so rarely that I am not concerned. 

I'm around acetone and other chemicals all day, though, even though we use fume hoods. I'll bring it up to my doctor but it's not like I can do anything about it. 

fiddleRN79

I just got my hair foiled today. I go about every eight weeks. I am around radiation and chemical cleaners at work, so hair color is probably the least of my worries. I am very careful at work and wear a special radiation badge and lead apron. Everyone will know I'm pregnant when I put that beast on. No one wears it unless they are pregnant because it weighs 20 pounds

BayCamp

@fiddleRN79 the waist dosimeter and lead skirt were a dead giveaway for me the first time around as well. Good on you for taking the proper precautions, I know soooo many RNs (assuming by the screename) that don't take it seriously. 

YesOuiCan

I had fertility problems so I have already gone hardcore chemical-free -- no nail polish, all natural skin care and beauty products, no plastic food containers, etc. I used to be a nail polish addict and I really miss it, so I do treat myself to a DIY Zoya pedicure every once in awhile. I will say that while my choices feel like the right thing for me because of my issues, and I do think it's good to reduce exposure to chemicals where possible, I don't think you're going to cause major damage with a couple of mani-pedis. Treat yo'self if it feels right! @ktcakes87 Your plan to pause the manicures and keep up the pedicures sounds like a good compromise with yourself

fiddleRN79

@BayCamp you are absolutely right lol. I weighed the skirt and jacket last pregnancy and was like, no wonder I can't walk after wearing that thing all day. We did 10 hour days of pain management every Tuesday. I'm happy you wore it too, but it screams "I'm pregnant!" lol.  

JAGClark

I do acrylic nails and pedis every two weeks and highlights every 8. Business as usual during the pregnancy. I did the same with baby 1. 

matika88

I will start coloring my hair again and getting pedis in 2nd trimester like I did with baby #1. 

asamapmaker

Great topic and comments. I'm a bit on the fence. My nails are always painted or I mess with them. I was wondering about changing polishes but not really wanting to shell out much for new safer polish and remover when I already have so much. I may need to dye my hair as the roots are going to look hideous, but may opt for minimal touch ups. 

liz4382

@asamapmaker the nail polish you already have may be the safer kind.  Lots of newer brands are what they call "3-free" (free of the 3 most toxic chemicals).  You could look it up online and find out...the main thing I am steering clear of with nail polish is my dry fast top-coat--it smells like paint thinner and has one of those California warnings on it.

krrpe99

I asked my doctor last pregnancy about the hair color, and she said it was ok and that she did it with her pregnancies. That was enough for me to continue my coloring. I will this time around too. Just ask your doctor what they think. And I think some said earlier, do whatever YOU'RE comfortable with. 

LoveDontCostAThing

Hey!  I have been using 3-free and Zoya nail polish for awhile now too!  I am also wondering about my hair because I get highlights every few months, and it's already looking bad!  The pregnancy pamphlet thing I got from my dr. says that hair and nails are fine, but I am not sure what I am comfortable with.  I am anxious to begin with, but I'm not sure I will be able to stand my hair after a few more weeks!

vppittman

Well I've never thought about manis and pedis being any sort of concern. I just got a mani/pedi on Saturday. I'll most likely continue coloring my hair too. Last pregnancy I waited until 2nd trimester, but this time I am just going to tell my hair dresser to keep it from my scalp when possible 

foxaírt

I'm lifting my hair with blended roots soon and that is that probably for the rest of the year I colour with cassia and henna (100% pure) so maintaining colour once the shade is a Lil lighter won't be a problem .
My haircare is otherwise very natural.

As far as manicure go I have long natural nails and do my own so won't need to worry about fumes.
Plan to stick to safe brands that are trusted free of nastys  I have read opi is one of these and I have a nice selection of colours from them that were a gift once . 
I reshape and paint my nails usually every 2 weeks but could stretch it or have a fortnight on and one off depending on the regrow rate my nails grow about 2-3mm a week so if this becomes more with hormones I may forgo colour except for photoshoots or performance work early while I still can (model and dancer) or opt for tip designs that aren't noticeable and they grow out bit like my hairs ombre . Well shaped nails with a high gloss clear coat can be refreshing too 

The big one for me  dropping my coffee scrub and EO  in my home made beauty products or switching to save doses and oils . Feel  glad I don't have problem skin and can keep it really simple 

KeHill08

I'm too lazy for the upkeep of dying my hair, so I stopped when I got pregnant the first time. I only paint my toenails when it's sandal weather, but that's just me. The lower maintenance, the better 

kaitlinliz

@liz4382 I sell jams! I absolutely adore them and our lacquers/gels since they're 8-free from cancer causing chemicals. Totally not trying to sell to anyone on here, just wanted to let people kno to check their polishes before using. Occasional is definitely safe no matter what but if you want to be extra careful, find polishes that are at least 3-free. 5-free is better and obviously 8-free is best. 
My jams are my favorite tho. No smells, no dry time, no chemicals! 

My dads a hairdresser so once we announce I'll ask him what he thinks of dying hair. I have read/heard numerous times to just wait til the end of the first tri. And then you're good to go. I hope so. I've been dying my hair since I was 12, IDK what I'll do if I can't....I guess I'll survive lol

jess0211

@kaitlinliz I just stopped selling Jams this month due to other obligations but still love them!