Does coloring one's hair cause danger in pregnancy? Should cosmetics of any kind be avoided?

--Tina

There is no good evidence to suggest that coloring one's hair is dangerous in pregnancy and absolutely no evidence that cosmetics are harmful. I like to err on the side of caution, however, and do recommend that women in the first trimester avoid coloring their hair, especially with store-bought products that require the chemicals to be in contact with the entire scalp. Professional coloring, especially weaves where very little of the color is actually in contact with the scalp, are probably fine.

The worst problem with hair coloring in the first trimester is the odor -- if you are a bit queasy anyway, the smell of hair dyes may be enough to send you over the edge. Make sure the area is well ventilated. This is true for manicures as well.