Hair & Foot Spa: Dos & Don’ts During Pregnancy

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Getting a hair and foot spa for pregnant women can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. It can also help relieve some pregnancy symptoms, such as back pains, inflammation, and pain in the feet, caused by variations in hormones.

Understanding the differences between foot spas and other forms of massage is essential for expecting mothers. Foot spas specifically target foot-related discomforts, while traditional massages may address broader body aches.

A good foot spa can relieve the stress on your feet and make your skin softer. Similarly, a hair spa can help you deal with dandruff and dryness. It may also boost the growth of new hair. However, before making an appointment for a hair and foot spa, consult your doctor. Moreover, you should also take some precautions to ensure you stay safe and healthy during this time.

Read this post about hair and foot spa benefits and some do’s and don’ts.

Why Visit A Foot and Hair Spa During Pregnancy?

When you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, occasional visits to the spa would help you through the transition phase of your second and third trimesters. This would aid in rejuvenation, help you stay relaxed, cope up with challenges and enjoy the stage of expecting your baby. Generally foot and hair spa during pregnancy can de-stress you and make you feel beautiful at the same time!

Foot Spa When Pregnant

When you are pregnant, your feet will begin to ache and swell as you advance towards your final trimester. This is mainly because you tend to gain weight during each month of pregnancy. A foot spa aids in pain relief and is highly helpful because:

• It will help reduce the swelling of your feet that might be caused due to hormonal changes and increased blood pressure (1).
• It offers enough attention to your feet, which you tend to neglect when you are pregnant.
• The foot spa treatment is designed to offer immense relief to your sore feet, as it is a gentle and soothing procedure.
• Foot spa and prenatal massage treatments also alleviate the signs of edemaⁱSwelling caused by an excess of fluid retained in the body's tissues. and improve the circulation of blood (2).

Research finds

Studies show that massage treatments during pregnancy reduce stress hormones and enhance happy hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. These positive changes may help reduce birth complications (1).

• The foot spa treatment comprises soaking and scrubbing the feet that help improve the oxygenationⁱThe process of boosting oxygen levels. of the soft tissues and muscles (1).

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Hair Spa When Pregnant

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You might be really tired during the second and third trimesters, when you may not feel like before to take good care of your hair. This would lead to hair related issues including dandruff, lackluster hair, etc. Hair spa treatments can be therapeutic and are highly beneficial for you as:

• Hair spa would help you feel stress free with a relaxing head massage.
• The spa treatments available for treating hair issues and dandruff would make your tresses look shiny and healthy.
• Your hair stylist would recommend a new hair style to suit your appearance during pregnancy, which would make you feel much more confident.

Quick tip

Make sure the spa where you get your hair treatment is well-ventilated (7).

Dos And Don’ts Of Hair And Foot Spa Treatments During Pregnancy

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It’s true that you will have a radiant glow whilst you are pregnant. However, treating yourself to some pampering at a spa can further enhance relaxation and unwinding. When you are visiting the hair and foot spa during pregnancy, you have to remember a few important points.

Dos:

• Make sure that you avail the services of a reputed spa. Ask about the way the services are performed by the spa professional.
• Before you go to the spa, seek the advice of your doctor before opting for certain spa treatments.

Image: IStock

• When you wish to highlight your mane, make sure that you choose ammonia free ones or natural ones with vegetable dyes.
• If you opt for aromatherapy, remember all aromatic oils are not beneficial for you when you are pregnant. Go for jasmine, chamomile, and spearmint to get good relief from stress and relax your stresses.
• It’s also essential to communicate with your spa therapist about your pregnancy. This helps them adjust techniques or products based on your stage of pregnancy. It, therefore, ensures a safe and tailored experience.

Be watchful

Always wipe all the oils from the feet after a foot spa before stepping on the floor. This will prevent accidental falls (3).

Don’ts:

• Never ask the professional to cut short the services for lack of time as the main purpose of availing spa service is to relax.
• Stay away from a new spa in your locality as it might not offer good services. Only go to tried and tested ones.
• Do not choose chemical-based dyes for coloring your hair.
• Ask your spa professional to refrain from reflexologyⁱA foot massage that applies pressure to specific points in the foot to heal other organs and parts of the body. while massaging your feet. Reflexology is not recommended for pregnant women.
• Avoid hair treatments that use high heat, as they can raise body temperature, which is not advised during pregnancy.

Can A Foot Massage Cause Miscarriage?

Getting a foot massage in pregnancy is generally considered safe and is not believed to cause miscarriage. If you choose to get a foot massage, ensure a trained prenatal therapist does it. However, when going to a spa, reflexology techniques are best avoided. The pressure points related to the pituitary and reproductive glands in the feet and ankles might cause uterine contractions and are not recommended for pregnant women (3).

Can I Use An Electric Foot Massager During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your legs could be at an increased risk of developing blood clots. Therefore, using an electric massager could possibly dislodge the clot, which may then travel towards your heart or lungs. It is recommended that pregnant women should not use electric massagers during the first trimester as the current available evidence is not enough to ensure their safety in the initial weeks of pregnancy. Moreover, women with high-risk pregnancies, or those at risk of preeclampsia, placenta previa, gestational diabetes, deep-vein thrombosis, and other pregnancy complications, should also refrain from using electric foot massagers during pregnancy (4). Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your doctor before the purchase, and if given a go-ahead sign, choose an appropriate device.

Infographic: Dos And Don’ts Of Hair And Foot Spa Treatment During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can safely receive spa treatments, but it is important to consult a doctor first. Some treatments, such as hot tubs and saunas, can raise a woman’s body temperature and pose a risk to the baby. The following infographic lists dos and don’ts to keep in mind. Do give it a read.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Dos And Don’ts Of Pregnancy Spa

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Learn how to give a relaxing foot massage to your pregnant partner. Discover the best techniques to help ease discomfort and promote relaxation.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Kay LakkaMSc

Kay Lakka is the founder of Londontherapy, a busy psychological practice in the center of London. She holds a BSc (hons) in psychology and MSc in the psychodynamics of human development and has numerous post graduate diplomas including advanced psychotherapy, guidance through dreams, and psychosexual relationship counseling.

Read full bio of Kay Lakka

Sakshi MishraMSc

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. She has worked on a research project, “In silico ligand designing exhibiting anti-diabetic activity derived from responsible phytochemicals of selected herbs.

Read full bio of Sakshi Mishra

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das