Pregnancy & Salon Visits: Are Hair Stylists Safe During Pregnancy?

Question
Hi Doctor,

I have a quick question. I have been reading online about how it is not recommended to visit a nail or hair salon during pregnancy because of the fumes. A few weeks ago when I was 16 weeks pregnant, I went to have my hair extensions touched up and cut (no chemicals, just a touch up). The salon that I went to, had both a nail section and a hair section. I was on the hair side of the salon for about 3 hours. My question is, could I have caused harm to my baby by being around the fumes for the amount of time that I was there? Since finding out that I am pregnant, I have been paranoid about everything and wanting to do everything right for my little boy. My mother tells me to relax and not read all this stuff online and that everything in moderation is OK (except for drinking, smoking and all the bad drugs...which I would never do anyway) If you could let me know your opinion, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Carly

I totally agree with the advice of your mother. In fact, exposure to these fumes may affect workers in these places as they are exposed several hours every day for these fumes. This is very similar to preventing female anesthiologists from getting pregnant because of the daily inhalation of anesthetic agents but allowing pregnant women to have anesthesia to deliver their babies by Cesarean. It is the amount and duration of exposure that matters.

At the current state of knowledge, sporadic visits to hair and nails salons does not have a detrimental effects on the health of your baby.

My advice is to keep your antenatal visits with your caring obstetrician in order to have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Good Luck