Is It Safe To Cut Your Hair While You're Pregnant?

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.

In This Article

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. 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.

protip_icon Did you know?
There’s a popular myth that cutting hair when pregnant can cause poor vision in the baby; however, this is not true. Newborns take time to attain their full visual ability after birth and have no association with haircutting (4) (5).

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

You may suffer from an allergic reaction
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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.

protip_icon Quick tip
If you still wish to apply hair dyes while pregnant, try using natural alternatives like pure vegetable dyes, including henna or highlight hair strands only (3).

2. Avoid crowded salons

Avoid visiting unhygienic salons
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the sound of a haircutter kit affect pregnancy?

No. 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).

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, avoid harsh chemicals to prevent adverse reactions such as allergies. It is also better to consult your doctor about hair products you can use before getting a haircut to avoid negative effects.

Infographic: Precautions While Getting Haircut During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant and planning to cut your hair, it’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your and your baby’s safety. There are several factors to consider, from choosing the right hairstylist to avoiding certain products and techniques. This infographic provides an overview of the vital safety measures you should follow when cutting your hair during pregnancy.

safety measures for cutting hair during pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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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.
Haircut during pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Skin and hair changes during pregnancy.
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000611.htm
  2. Changes to hair during pregnancy.
    https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/changes-to-hair-during-pregnancy
  3. Hair treatment during pregnancy.
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/hair-treatments-during-pregnancy/
  4. Pregnancy myths and truths.
    https://www.nib.co.nz/free-resources/article/pregnancy-myths-and-truths/
  5. 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
  6. Noise – Reproductive Health.
    https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro/noise.html
  7. Hair Treatment During Pregnancy.                                                                                     https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/hair-treatments-during-pregnancy/
  8. 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/
  9. Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know.                        https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/formaldehyde-hair-smoothing-products-what-you-should-know
  10. Eric Wooltorton; (2003); Concerns over lindane treatment for scabies and lice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155967/
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