Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Many women are unsure of getting a haircut during pregnancy because of the several beliefs surrounding them. However, most superstitions don’t have a scientific explanation. Your hair indeed undergoes several changes in length and texture during pregnancy, but getting a haircut while taking care of certain things, such as avoiding styling products or staying away from crowded salons, might help (1).
Read the post to know about the scientific facts behind the beliefs related to haircuts during pregnancy and some useful tips you should follow.
Key Pointers
- Haircutting during pregnancy is not known to be harmful to the baby.
- Coloring hair during pregnancy is generally considered safe, as long as the product used is chemical-free and does not cause any adverse reaction.
- It is recommended to choose a chemical-free hair product during pregnancy.
- It is advisable to consult a doctor before applying any chemical to hair during pregnancy to ensure that the product is safe.
Don’t Cut Your Hair While You Are Pregnant: Myth Or Truth?
You must have heard it from an elder in the family, or even a well-meaning friend, that cutting your hair while pregnant is a strict no-no. It is one of the most common and oldest superstitions related to pregnancy. Dr. Stephanie Langsam, FACOG, a board-certified physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, says, “Hair represents strength across many cultures. Cutting hair can be seen as removing strength and power from the body and, therefore, the baby. Respect for different religions and cultures may alter your decision to cut your hair; however, there is no physical harm in cutting your hair during pregnancy. Maintaining your overall health improves your baby’s health.”
Superstition: The fundamental concept behind this age-old superstition is that your hair helps keep you protected from the harsh cold. As per popular belief, your hair is your life force, and cutting it means giving away a part of your vital energy. The force is so potent that you could shorten your lifespan or even call upon some evil force or disease if you cut your hair. In fact, you should cut, wash or dry your hair only on special days. A haircut is strictly avoidable during pregnancy.
Fact: When you are pregnant, your body releases a host of hormones, and most of them are in a constant flux or elevated state. The hormonal changes in your body cause a lot of changes in hair growth, volume, and texture during pregnancy (2). You may notice your hair texture grow from silky to dry or begin to thin and fall as a result of hair loss. Hair fall in pregnancy is a common phenomenon. Cutting hair while pregnant can help control your frizzy mane menace and make your hair look bouncier and healthier. As it is not an invasive procedure, it does not harm you or your baby in any way. However, if you are using some other styling products like sprays, colors, and all, for your mane makeover it may cause some side effects. It is a good idea to check with your doctor before using them on your locks.
Did you know?Infographic: Precautions While Getting Haircut During Pregnancy
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Safety Precautions For Getting A Mane Makeover During Pregnancy
While cutting hair during pregnancy will not cause any harm to you or your unborn baby, here are a few tips you should keep in mind while heading to the salon:
1. Avoid the use of chemicals
Image: Shutterstock
Avoid using hair colors and sprays or opting for chemical treatments for hair while you are pregnant. The opinion of health experts on the safety of the above is diverse. Therefore, it is a wise decision to stay away from them during this delicate phase when your health and your baby’s development are at stake. While the chemicals in hair dye may not penetrate your skin and enter your bloodstream to reach your baby, its fumes increase the chances of a negative effect (3). You may also suffer from an allergic reaction due to exposure to these harsh chemicals. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using the same while you are expecting or nursing your baby. However, if you still wish to dye your hair during pregnancy, it is best to check with your doctor, research the ingredients of the products you want to use and their potential risks, and take all necessary precautions.
Quick tip2. Avoid crowded salons
Image: Shutterstock
Another reason elders may ask you to stay away from getting a haircut while pregnant is that you have to visit crowded and unhygienic salons. Being in a crowded space during your pregnancy can be quite tricky, as you may accidentally end up bumping yourself and getting hurt. If you still want to visit the salon, make sure you take an appointment and book a slot when the salon is relatively empty.
Here are some additional tips and precautions to consider when getting a haircut during pregnancy:
- Choose a professional salon with good hygiene practices.
- If possible, find a nearby salon to minimize travel.
- Ensure the room is well-ventilated.
- Request a comfortable chair with good support.
- Discuss any pregnancy-related concerns with your stylist.
- If the haircut takes too long, take breaks to stretch and hydrate.
- Be aware of scalp sensitivity.
- Watch for any allergic symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the sound of a hair cutter kit affect pregnancy?
While noise has been found to be the cause of increased stress levels in pregnancy which may affect the baby (6), the sound of a hair cutter is not loud enough to affect the pregnancy.
2. Should I cut my hair before my baby is born?
The decision to cut your hair or go in for trimming before your baby is born is personal, and there is no right or wrong answer. Some new mothers cut their hair for practical reasons, such as to make it easier to care for and manage, while others prefer to keep their hair long for emotional reasons.
3. Can a haircut or hair treatment affect a pregnant woman’s blood pressure or heart rate?
Hair treatments and haircuts are relatively safe and have no evidence linked with any harm to the mother (7). Hair rebonding is one hair treatment that often comes under scanner due to the harsh chemicals used in the process. If you want to try hair rebonding during pregnancy, it is best to take your doctor’s permission first.
4. Can a haircut or hair treatment affect the pH balance of a pregnant woman’s scalp or skin?
Studies show that a shampoo with an alkaline pH balance may contribute towards making the hair more frizzy. However, little research is available on how this contributes to a change in the skin or scalp’s pH level. Thus, it is best to consult a dermatologist before going for hair treatments (8).
5. Can a haircut or hair treatment affect a pregnant woman’s immune system or susceptibility to infection?
Certain hair products used for hair treatments, such as lice removal treatments and chemical straightening, may include chemicals such as formaldehyde and lindane which may have a toxic effect on the immune system. Such products and treatments are not recommended during pregnancy as they may make the mother susceptible to several diseases ranging from allergies to serious conditions like cancer (9) (10).
There are indeed several superstitions surrounding different practices during pregnancy. But now, with access to information, you can safely dismiss the myth about not getting a haircut during pregnancy and some other such beliefs. Being a non-invasive procedure, it cannot harm you or your baby, and you can take care of your hair and style it the way you want during pregnancy. However, it is advisable to avoid harsh chemicals and discuss any concerns with your doctor and hair care professionals prior to your appointment to minimize potential negative effects.
Illustration: Is It Safe To Cut Your Hair While You&039re Pregnant?
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
References
- Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000611.htm - Changes to hair during pregnancy.
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/changes-to-hair-during-pregnancy - Hair treatment during pregnancy.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/hair-treatments-during-pregnancy/ - Pregnancy myths and truths.
https://www.nib.co.nz/free-resources/article/pregnancy-myths-and-truths/ - Infant Vision Birth to One Year.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/infant-vision-birth-to-one-year - About Noise and Reproductive Health.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/reproductive-health/prevention/noise.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro/noise.html - Hair Treatment During Pregnancy.
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/hair-treatments-during-pregnancy/ - Maria Fernanda Reis Gavazzoni Dias et al; (2014); The Shampoo pH can Affect the Hair: Myth or Reality?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158629/ - Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/formaldehyde-hair-smoothing-products-what-you-should-know - Eric Wooltorton; (2003); Concerns over lindane treatment for scabies and lice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155967/
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Read full bio of Dr. Meenu Vashisht Ahuja
Dr. Stephanie Langsam is a board-certified physician specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She received her medical degree from Technion Israel Institute of Technology and completed her residency at Lankenau Medical Center. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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