7 Safe Beauty Treatments for Pregnant Women: An Expert's Guide

When it comes to beauty treatments during pregnancy there are certain precautions that should be taken in order to ensure both mother and baby's safety. Massage therapy is generally considered safe but should be done with caution.

7 Safe Beauty Treatments for Pregnant Women: An Expert's Guide

Pregnancy is a special time for women, and it's important to take extra care of your body during this period. But what beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy? We've developed expert-backed guidelines for some of the most common offerings on the spa menu, so you can feel good about your feel-good treatments. Prenatal massage is perfectly safe even in the first trimester, as long as you do it with a well-trained prenatal therapist and have a normal pregnancy. Chemical peels or facial treatments with hot stones are not recommended during pregnancy, as the chemicals found in hair coloring products are absorbed by the scalp and can be harmful to the fetus.

Most obstetricians recommend waiting until the first trimester to color your hair. An alternative is to use natural and organic products or highlight the hair instead. Massages during pregnancy are said to help combat anxiety and depression, as well as reduce muscle and joint pain. However, it is very important that the masseuse knows about your pregnancy and avoid putting too much pressure on critical points.

These massages use specially constructed tables that provide support and indentations for the abdomen. It's generally safe to have a facial treatment during pregnancy, as long as you avoid aggressive treatments, such as microdermabrasion and certain types of chemical peels, which can do more harm than good. Because your skin is very sensitive now that you're pregnant, “microdermabrasion can cause irritation, breakouts and uneven results”, says Renée Rouleau, famous esthetician and founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare. However, gentle facial scrubs, such as crushed apricot kernels or bamboo pearls, followed by a deep moisturizing mask (think avocado or yogurt) are a safe and relaxing option. Some essential oils that are generally safe during pregnancy include lavender, jasmine, rose, tangerine, chamomile, neroli, ylang-ylang, and lemon.

Those that should be avoided are rosemary, sage, basil, mint, oregano, thyme, juniper and olive oil. And while some experts say that microdermabrasion and any laser treatment are prohibited during pregnancy, others say that they may be safe in some cases (for example, if it's a low-intensity laser or if microdermabrasion isn't too aggressive).The safest nail polishes for a manicure and pedicure during pregnancy are brands that don't contain “three” - meaning they don't contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde - which are toxic chemicals. For even safer nail care during pregnancy look for polishes that are “free” (3 without 5 8 without etc.).Hair can sprout in unexpected places when you're pregnant due to hormonal changes in the body affecting your response to treatment. So how can you tell if certain beauty treatments may pose a risk to you or your baby during pregnancy? The truth is that each case is different. Here's a breakdown of which spa treatments are safe and those that aren't recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy is an exciting time for women but it's important to take extra care of your body during this period.

With these expert-backed guidelines for some of the most common offerings on the spa menu you can feel good about your feel-good treatments. When it comes to beauty treatments during pregnancy there are certain precautions that should be taken in order to ensure both mother and baby's safety. Massage therapy is generally considered safe but should be done with caution. Chemical peels and facial treatments with hot stones should be avoided due to potential risks associated with them. Natural and organic products or highlights are recommended instead of coloring hair with chemical products.

Facials can be done safely as long as aggressive treatments such as microdermabrasion or certain types of chemical peels are avoided. Essential oils should also be used with caution as some may pose a risk to the fetus. Nail polishes should be free from toxic chemicals such as dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde. Lastly it is important to keep in mind that each case is different so consulting with an expert before any beauty treatment is highly recommended.

Chad Hobock
Chad Hobock

Proud music evangelist. Unapologetic coffee practitioner. Passionate social media fanatic. General coffee practitioner. Wannabe twitter nerd.