How to Relax Hair While Pregnant

If you are pregnant, you well know that some of your regular activities become far more challenging as you do everything in your power to ensure that your baby is safe and healthy. Beauty treatments are no exception, and often questions arise about if you should or how to use chemical styling products. A few tips can help you to relax your hair safely while pregnant.

Things You'll Need

• Hair relaxer with all or mostly natural ingredients
• Petroleum jelly
• Cotton mask
• Fans
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Choose a hair relaxer with as many natural ingredients as possible. While natural hair relaxers often require multiple applications for the same results, fewer chemicals in the product means fewer risks to your baby during pregnancy. Many salons can help you to select the right product for you.

2. Apply petroleum jelly to your scalp and hairline before beginning your application which will help to prevent chemicals from absorbing through your scalp and into your blood stream. While a layer of petroleum jelly may reduce the relaxing effect near the roots, it should not be noticeable once the length of your hair has been relaxed.

3. Wear a cotton mask which covers your nose and mouth to help reduce the amount of chemical fumes that you inhale. Masks can be purchased at your local hardware store. While the amount of chemicals inhaled is rarely enough to cause problems during pregnancy, many women feel nauseated, dizzy or suffer headaches due to a stronger sense of smell during pregnancy. Additionally, it is important that you have the best ventilation possible when using hair relaxers, opening doors and windows and using fans to keep the air clean.

4. Use gloves when mixing and applying your product.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, many women experience strange results when perming or relaxing hair. Don't be surprised if your product works more or less than usual, or if it actually causes the opposite effect.