Off late, almost every other woman opts for hair treatment. Be it hair smoothening, rebonding, keratin boost, hair perming, or coloring, and why not? After all, the emerging trends of the hair industry are growing faster than the growth of your hair tresses. And, it is always good to keep up with new trends. With pregnancy, though, you may have a question, is it safe to get hair rebonding during pregnancy?
Hair rebonding or chemical straightening is the process by which you can get the color and texture of your hair changed. The name itself implies the use of chemicals. Chemicals are something every woman would want to stay away from when pregnant. This article will help you decide if you can safely opt for hair rebonding, possible side effects, and precautions you must take in case you want the treatment done
In This Article
- Video of Top Things to Know Before You Consider a Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy
- What is Hair Rebonding?
- What is the Process of Hair Rebonding?
- Is it Safe to Get Hair Rebonding Done During Pregnancy?
- Side Effects of Hair Rebonding When Done During Pregnancy
- What All Care Should be Taken While Getting Hair Rebonding Done During Pregnancy?
- What are the Safe Hair Treatment Options for Pregnant Ladies?
- FAQ’s
Video of Top Things to Know Before You Consider a Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy
What is Hair Re-bonding?
One of the most popular hair treatments is hair rebonding. Hair rebonding is a method of straightening your hair. This salon hair treatment process requires the use of chemicals to relax and break natural hair cells, which results in permanently straight hair. These chemicals rearrange the hair cells to make them look poker straight and sleek. The name bonding refers to the process of breaking and rebuilding the bonds in your hair to change the texture and the final outcome in terms of looks.
What is the Process of Hair Rebonding?
The tools or ingredients to be used in hair rebonding are:
- A mild shampoo
- A blow dryer
- A flat iron
- Steaming
- A relaxant
- A neutralizer
The process of hair rebonding involves the following steps.
- The hairdresser or hairstylist will first wash and then blow dry your hair.
- Then follows the application of a thick coat of relaxant (chemical) hair. This chemical stays on your hair for around 30 to 60 minutes.
- Your hair undergoes another wash and hair drying.
- The stylist will then apply keratin lotion and straighten out your hair with a hair straightener.
- After this, a neutralizer (chemical) is applied to your hair, left for 30 minutes, and is then washed off.
- In the end, the stylist will apply some hair serum and straighten your hair with a straightener for the last time. These relaxants are powerful enough to change your hair structure, making your hair look straight
Is it Safe to Get Hair Rebonding Done During Pregnancy?
When pregnant, no woman wants to risk her baby’s life or her life. You would want to take every step to ensure that you have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. The biggest risk with chemicals is that there is every chance you may inhale it or the chemicals penetrate your skin.
In both cases, the chemicals reach your bloodstream and some chemicals can pass through the placenta and reach the fetus too. In both the above cases, chemicals can cause harm to you and your little one as well. Hair rebonding is an optional beauty treatment. Experts and the medical fraternity suggest staying away from such types of treatments to ensure zero risk to you and your little one.
[Read: Is It Safe To Use Hair Removal Creams During Pregnancy?]
Side Effects of Hair Rebonding When Done During Pregnancy
Here are some of the noted side effects of hair rebonding if you get it done when you are pregnant:
1. Complications in Pregnancy and Delivery
Most of the relaxants contain sodium hydroxide. This chemical, when mixed with water, gets hot quickly and can cause burns and allergies. Sodium Hydroxide is a potent chemical and can cause complications during delivery.
2. It Can Cause Nausea
A woman’s body becomes a lot more sensitive during pregnancy. The harsh chemicals used during rebonding can cause severe headaches and even make you nauseous.
3. It Could Harm the Baby
The chemicals used in hair rebonding are likely to get absorbed by the scalp and enter the bloodstream. These chemicals travel through the bloodstream, pass through the placenta, and could harm the baby. The risks of preterm delivery as well as the baby being born with congenital defects are high in such cases.
4. Hair Rebonding Does Not Straighten the Hair
During pregnancy, even the hair of a woman undergoes hormonal changes, so chances are that the entire treatment might not give the desired or expected result.
5. Damage to Hair and Scalp
Most of the relaxants used for hair rebonding contain ‘lye’ as an ingredient that can cause major damage to the hair or scalp, especially if your scalp is more sensitive due to pregnancy.
6. Irritation in the Respiratory Tract
Some of the chemicals used during hair rebonding emit fumes. These fumes can easily affect a pregnant woman’s already sensitive body. Fumes can cause severe irritation in the respiratory tract too.
7. Risk of Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that initiates in the fetal stage and affects the nerve cells. The chance of getting Neuroblastoma is higher from temporary hair dyes as compared to permanent hair dyes. And, although the cosmetic industry never quotes that the chemical-based products will affect the fetus or the pregnant lady adversely, why take the chance? Minimizing risk factors is crucial for a healthy and safe pregnancy.
[Read: Is It Safe To Bleach Facial Hair During Pregnancy?]
What All Care Should be Taken While Getting Hair Rebonding Done During Pregnancy?
Despite these complications, if you still decide to go for hair rebonding keep the following things in mind:
1. Opt For a Reputed Place
Pregnancy is no time to take risks. If you want to go for hair treatments like rebonding make sure you go to a well-known salon. Make sure your stylist is well experienced and a professional and has done hair rebonding before.
2. Self-Check the Salon
Check the tools and ingredients before the process. Ensure that the tools are sterilized properly and the ingredients do not contain harmful chemicals.
3. Consult Your Doctor First
Take a yes from your doctor before exposing your sensitive self to the treatment of harsh chemicals, for simply lifting your mood with a new hairstyle. Your doctor will consider a test to check if you are allergic to any processed chemical or not.
4. Opt For ‘No-Lye’ Treatment
No-lye treatments only use calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate. These chemicals are relatively less harmful than others. Hence, make sure you insist on no-lye treatment.
5. Take Breaks During the Session
Hair rebonding can take several hours. Sitting in one position for a long time, especially during pregnancy can give you backaches and body pain. Make sure you are seated in a comfortable and well-ventilated area. Also, take breaks between sessions and walk around in the salon. Overall, just make sure you are comfortable.
6. Consider the Alternatives
To avoid the aftereffects of chemical hair rebonding you can opt for other safer options such as temporary straightening or ironing your hair. These methods do not require chemicals and are completely safe to use during pregnancy.
What are the Safe Hair Treatment Options for Pregnant Ladies?
Instead of chemical-based hair treatments, you can opt for simple and safe hair beauty hacks. We have a few of them listed for you below.
- Instead of opting for any strong chemical-based makeover, you can consider hair highlighting or streaking. It is true that chemicals are used in the process too, but they do not touch your scalp. The dyes and colors are applied only to the stands of your hair. Hair strands comprise dead tissues and the chemicals cannot pass into your bloodstream.
- Try different hair cuts. There are multiple haircut options available on our website for you lovely ladies. In fact, shorter hair is easy to manage and fuss-free. Give your pregnancy a smart makeover.
- Worried that you have to attend a family or friend function? Stop worrying and pick up the electric hair straightener from your drawer. Use curling rods or curlers, or clip-on hair extensions. Zero use of chemicals ensured.
- Visit the salon or parlor, which has stylists who have previously dealt with the hairstyling of pregnant ladies.
Pregnancy is one of the most special yet crucial periods in a woman’s life. What you eat and what you do is going to affect your baby as well. Pregnancy is the time to play safe and avoid anything that poses a threat to you and the baby. Also, during pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes. Your hair might not be as receptive as it was towards the rebonding treatment. Hence, it is best to wait till you have delivered your baby to opt for hair rebonding and other such treatments. If you have to go for it, seek your doctor’s advice and ensure you take all the necessary precautions.
[Read: Top 10 Beauty Products To Avoid During Pregnancy]
FAQ’s
1. Will Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy Cause Hair Fall?
It can. The possibilities of damage are high. Also, pregnancy can be a tricky phase to anticipate reactions to chemicals.
2. Will My Baby be Affected by Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy?
The chances are low. Chances are higher in the first trimester. Get clearance from your doctor and do this after you complete 3 months.
3. Can Be Allergic to Hair Rebonding During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can. A lot of harsh chemicals are used. Pregnant women can develop allergies easily.
4. Is it OK to do Hair Rebonding in My First Trimester?
No, it is not advisable. The chemicals are harsh and you will have to sit with it for a good one hour. It’s better to do it after 1st trimester.
Read Also: 8 Cosmetics That Should Be Definitely Avoided During Pregnancy
