Is Keratin Hair Treatment Safe During Pregnancy?

Is keratin hair treatment safe during pregnancy?

Skip Brazilian blowout/keratin treatments — many release formaldehyde, which you shouldn’t inhale. In short, keratin hair treatment is best avoided during pregnancy when you follow the guidance below.

Why experts give this advice

Most of what you put on your skin stays on the surface, but a few ingredients absorb enough to matter in pregnancy. The goal is simply to swap the small number of ingredients with real concerns for the many that are perfectly fine.

Safer alternatives

Skip keratin hair treatment during pregnancy and reach for a gentler, pregnancy-friendly alternative instead — there are good options for nearly every goal. If you've already used it, stop and mention it at your next visit; a single use is unlikely to cause harm.

What about breastfeeding?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding aren't the same — some things limited in pregnancy are perfectly fine once you're nursing, and occasionally the reverse. For keratin hair treatment while breastfeeding, check with your provider, since the answer can differ from the pregnancy guidance above.

The bottom line

Keratin hair treatment: best avoided in pregnancy. When in doubt, choose a safer alternative and ask your provider. This page is general education, not medical advice — your provider knows your history and is the final word for your pregnancy.