Hair Straightening and Pregnancy

Long-haired mother and her child
Photo: Studio Romantic/Shutterstock
Q: My daughter had a baby 3 weeks ago. She wants to get a straightening perm but her hairdresser thinks she may have to wait a few more weeks. She said there was something about the hormones of pregnancy not allowing the perm to work as well. How valid is this?
 
A: It’s a pretty well-established fact that a woman’s body undergoes some pretty dramatic changes during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. As a result of the shifting hormone levels involved, otherwise routine salon services may not respond as expected. Chief among these are hair coloring, perming, and chemical straightening processes.
 

Unpredictable Chemical Processing Results

There is legitimate concern that these services won’t work in a normal fashion when a woman has recently been pregnant:
 
• Variable Porosity: Hair can become significantly more resistant or more porous, resulting in underprocessing, overprocessing, or uneven results without reasonable warning.
 
• Inconsistent Scalp Patterns: Because these hormonal changes can be isolated to certain patches of the scalp or vary all over, a simple strand test may not be sufficient to predict the overall results.
 

Scalp and Skin Sensitivity

The hormonal changes in pregnant and postpartum women can alter the way a woman’s body reacts to the chemicals used in these services:
 
• Increased Chemical Reactions: A woman can become far more sensitive to chemicals and could experience scalp irritation, contact dermatitis, or burns.
 
• Sensitivity to Odors: Fumes and strong chemical smells can become problematic if she finds, unexpectedly, that the odor triggers extreme nausea.
 

Postpartum Hair Loss Concerns

Timing is critical due to what happens to hair after childbirth:
 
• Upcoming Shedding Phase: Around two to four months postpartum, the sudden drop in estrogen triggers a phase of temporary, rapid hair loss called telogen effluvium.
 
• Risk of Severe Breakage: Chemical straightening breaks down the structural bonds of the hair. Applying harsh chemicals just three weeks postpartum leaves the hair significantly weakened right before this natural shedding phase begins, which can lead to hair breakage.
 

Chemical Fumes and Nursing Safety

Safety regarding the specific chemical formulas used is another key factor:
 
• Toxic Fume Exposure: Many professional straightening perms and keratin treatments rely on formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. When heated, these emit potent fumes that can cause severe eye, nose, and throat irritation. This should be strictly avoided around a newborn baby or in poorly ventilated salon environments.
 
• Breastfeeding Considerations: If your daughter is nursing, negligible amounts of standard perming chemicals are absorbed through the scalp into the bloodstream. The chemicals themselves might pose little risk to breastfed babies, but you should consult a doctor about this.
 
I’m sure if you look, you will find a hairdresser who is willing to take your money and do whatever service you request. I would rather hope that you will consider that your daughter’s hairdresser is thinking primarily of your daughter’s welfare and hair health, and that waiting a few more months for her hormones to stabilize isn’t too much of a wait for the sake of safety and good results.
 
This answer is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice, contact a doctor.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Hair and pregnancy
 
Can I dye or bleach my hair during pregnancy?
 
Is it safe to use flat irons for your hair during pregnancy?