Keratin hair straightening for pregnant women: features of the procedure, limitations and risks

Pregnant and lactating women especially want to look good, and therefore there are many questions about the acceptability of the use of certain cosmetic and hairdressing procedures. Keratin straightening, which gives a lasting long-term effect, helps restore hair beauty and get rid of annoying curls. But is it possible to carry out such a procedure for pregnant and newly-mothers, can this method harm the child?

Keratin hair straightening is a relatively new hair care method. This is a procedure that is carried out by a qualified master in the conditions of the cabin. Its essence lies in the saturation of hair with keratin. It is the loss of keratin that usually leads to the fact that hair begins to break, split, and also fall out. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, keratin can be lost or produced insufficiently, especially in women who often dyed their hair before the onset of pregnancy, did a perm.

Keratin, which is part of special mixtures for treating hair, is extracted from the wool of sheep. Keratin protein itself is not dangerous for women, but there are some nuances in the process of its use. Keratin straightening is a rather complicated and long procedure, even for short hair, it takes about 2 hours. The result in 70-90 days needs correction, and with each corrective procedure it becomes more pronounced and long.

During the procedure, the master applies a special composition to the hair and fixes it with a hot iron, heated to 230 degrees. At this temperature, the protein substance is firmly fixed on the hair. The compositions are different. Usually the market for such mixtures is represented by Brazilian and American mixtures.

Pregnant women keratin straightening procedure is contraindicated. This is due to a number of possible negative consequences. First, it should be noted that no one in the world has conducted tests on future mothers, and therefore accurately describe the possible consequences for a woman who is "in an interesting position" and her child, no one will predict.

It is known that any protein substance is a potential allergen. During pregnancy, a woman's immune function changes, the body's natural defense is mercilessly suppressed by the hormone progesterone in order to preserve the life of the fetus. Concerning increases the likelihood of developing one or another type of allergic reactions.

But the main harm lies in formaldehyde. This substance begins to stand out from the mixture when heated. Formaldehyde quickly enters the bloodstream of the expectant mother through the respiratory route — she inhales it. This poison has a wide toxic effect, causing damage to the central nervous system. Formaldehyde can lead to malformations of the fetus, placenta, premature birth, miscarriage. Also, when heated, the lubricated hair forms carcinogens biformil and glycosal. They have a devastating effect on the blood cells of the mother and fetus.

In addition, the hormonal changes that occur in the body of the future mother, necessarily affect the hair, and therefore the result of the procedure no one can guarantee. In addition, the procedure, as we remember, is lengthy, and a woman in an “interesting position” is not recommended to sit in one position for a long time - this leads to impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs and pelvic organs.

For nursing mothers, the risks and dangers of keratin hair straightening are the same as for pregnant women. But there are some peculiarities. After childbirth, hair usually has a worse condition than when carrying a child. And all the procedures, one way or another connected with the thermal effect of high temperatures on the hair structure, can be detrimental to the hair shaft. As a result, the effect may be the opposite of what was expected - instead of a beautiful hairstyle, a woman will face massaging with hair loss and increased brittleness of hair.

Formaldehyde, released under the influence of high temperatures, penetrates rapidly into breast milk, and a newborn or infant can get it. In a child's body, formaldehyde can cause severe disturbances in the cells of the nervous system, optic nerve, and the membranes of the brain.

Many believe that harmful substances cannot enter the body through the hair. There is some truth in this. The probability of penetration of toxins and carcinogens into breast milk when applying the mixture to the hair is minimal. But there is a high probability of penetration of these substances into the body when the hair is heated by irons by the respiratory tract, as in the case of a procedure in pregnant women.

There are worthy alternatives to keratin straightening that will help make your hair look healthier.

Women can use lamination hair. This procedure will not be harmful if a woman conducts it in the salon of an experienced master using exclusively natural compositions, for example, gelatin, vitamin oil solutions, essential natural oils (in the absence of individual allergies).

To improve the condition of the hair will help masks and sprays with keratin in the composition. It is only important not to expose the curls after the application of temperature effects.

If the above arguments have not convinced the woman and he still intends to make a keratin straightening, it is worth giving a few tips on how to reduce the risks. It is about reducing risks, and not about the safe conduct of the procedure, because it is not safe for a pregnant and lactating woman.

• Use only quality mixtures without formaldehyde in the composition (conventionally suitable Kerarganic, W. One).
• Do not perform the procedure at home on your own. Contact a good salon to an experienced graduate master, who will take into account your special circumstances and conduct the procedure with maximum safety measures.
• The room in which the procedure takes place should be well ventilated, ventilated - so you get less carcinogenic substances from the air.
• Given that the procedure is quite long in time, be sure to get up to stretch your legs, walk, restore blood circulation.
• Do not expect any guarantees from the master - he himself does not know what the result will be on the hair of a pregnant or nursing mother.You do the procedure at your own peril and risk and are responsible for it, as well as for possible consequences.

And the last thing: if there is an opportunity to refuse keratin hair straightening during pregnancy or while breastfeeding a baby, use an alternative way to put your appearance in order.

Especially dangerous procedure can be in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. In the early stages, the fetus is still being formed, and any negative factor from the outside can disrupt the delicate processes of embryogenesis. In the later stages of the placenta, it is aging and does not fully perform its protective functions, which can be dangerous for the mother and the fetus.

Further you watch a response of the trichologist about salon procedures for hair.