Most routine grooming is completely fine in pregnancy — you don't have to stop taking care of yourself. A handful of salon treatments need simple precautions because of strong chemicals or fumes, and a few are better avoided altogether. Hair removal, including trimming or shaving before delivery, follows its own simple rules too.
Salon treatments that are generally safe
- Haircut
- Hair wash and blow-dry
- Threading
- Waxing
- Manicure and pedicure
- Basic clean-up facials
- Head massage with mild oils
Safe with precautions
- Hair colour — prefer ammonia-free colour, and it's better to wait until after the first trimester
- Hair spa — avoid strong chemical products
- Nail extensions or gel nails — make sure the salon has good ventilation
- Facials — avoid strong acids, retinoids, or bleaching agents
Better to avoid during pregnancy
- Keratin or hair-smoothing treatments
- Botox hair treatment
- Formaldehyde-based treatments
- Strong chemical peels
- Hair-straightening treatments with heavy fumes
What makes these riskier: strong chemical fumes in an enclosed space, and ingredients not meant for prolonged skin contact during pregnancy.
A few habits that make any salon visit safer
- Choose a well-ventilated salon
- Tell the staff you're pregnant before any treatment starts, so they can adjust products or timing
- Avoid strong chemical fumes and harsh products generally, not just in the treatments flagged above
- Prefer shorter appointments where possible
Pregnancy doesn't mean giving up grooming — it means choosing the version of it that skips strong fumes and harsh chemicals.
Hair removal: trimming, shaving or waxing safely
You can safely trim, shave, or wax during pregnancy if you're comfortable doing so — including pubic hair, which many women wonder about ahead of delivery.
Do:
- Use a clean, sharp razor
- Trim first if the hair is long
- Use a mirror if your bump blocks your view
- Moisturise the area after shaving
- Keep the area clean and dry
Don't:
- Use old or rusty razors
- Share razors with anyone else
- Shave in a hurry — it's easier to cut yourself
- Use harsh hair-removal creams without checking the ingredients and doing a patch test first
- Wax over skin infections, rashes, varicose veins, or very sensitive skin
Frequently asked
Do I need to shave or remove pubic hair before a normal delivery or a C-section?
No. Pubic hair removal is not medically necessary before either a normal delivery or a C-section. Most hospitals do not require routine shaving — whether you shave, trim, wax, or leave it natural is your choice.
Is it safe to colour my hair during pregnancy?
Hair colour is generally considered safe with precautions: choose an ammonia-free formula, and it's better to wait until after the first trimester, when the baby's major organ development is further along.
Which salon treatments should I skip entirely while pregnant?
Treatments involving strong, prolonged chemical exposure or heavy fumes — keratin or hair-smoothing treatments, Botox hair treatment, formaldehyde-based treatments, strong chemical peels, and fume-heavy straightening — are better avoided until after delivery.
What if I accidentally used one of the "avoid" treatments before I knew I was pregnant?
A single past exposure is a different situation from ongoing use. If this is on your mind, mention it to your doctor at your next visit rather than searching for an answer online — they can advise based on your specific situation.