6 Spa Safety Tips That You Must Follow During Pregnancy

If there is a time when you need a little pampering or a whole lot, it’s definitely during pregnancy. With so much going on (aching back, swollen feet, dry, and itchy skin) you deserve to unwind, recharge, and indulge in rejuvenating activities like a spa day. But can you go to the spa during pregnancy? The good news is ‘Yes,’ but timing is essential, and so is knowing about the treatments considered safe/unsafe for pregnant women.

To make things easier for you, we have rounded up some spa safety tips that you should follow during pregnancy, and what treatments can you can during these crucial nine months.

6 Spa Safety Tips to Follow During Pregnancy

Sauna During Pregnancy

What to do: Stay Away

The same goes for all other heat treatments, including steam rooms, hot tubs, and body wraps. This is because sauna and other heat treatments raise your body temperature, which is considered to have adverse effects on your baby. Exposing yourself to such high temperatures during pregnancy can also put your baby at risk for spinal cord and brain defects.

Body Scrubs During Pregnancy

What to do: Go for it!

Getting a body scrub during pregnancy can help stimulate circulation all over your body and help enhance your as well as your growing baby’s health. Additionally, scrubbing your body helps improve collagen synthesis, which in turn keeps your skin glowing, healthy, and radiant, and reduces the apperance of stretch marks.

Precautions to follow: Your skin tends to be extra sensitive when you are pregnant. So choose more hydrating and gentler ingredients, and opt for sugar-based scrubs rather than salt-based ones, as they tend to be more aggressive. Also, ensure that no heat is incorporated into any part of the treatment, and only fragrance and chemical-free products are used.

Massage During Pregnancy

What to do: Go for it! 

Prenatal massage is considered safe during pregnancy. However, your healthcare provider may suggest you refrain from any kind of massage during your first trimester, as the risk of miscarriage is high during this time. But the good news is that you can safely get a massage in your second and third trimesters to soothe your body aches and pains and stimulate blood circulation. 

Additionally, a soothing prenatal massage can help ease the swelling in your feet and ankles, improve digestion, and even enhance your mood.

Precautions to follow: always opt for pregnancy-safe (prenatal) massages, and visit a spa that speciliases in these kinds of treatments. Make sure that your baby bump is in the best position, and that your body is supported with pillows to ensure comfort. Also, just like body scrubs, ensure to use scent-free oils that are safe for your skin and don’t cause allergic reactions.

Facial Treatments During Pregnancy

What to do: It depends

While it is generally considered safe to get facials during pregnancy, you must avoid harsh treatments like microdermabrasion and certain kinds of chemical peels, as they can do more harm to your skin than good. Instead of abrasive treatments, opt for gentle exfoliating facial scrubs like crushed apricot kernels or orange beads, followed by a deep moisturising mask (think yogurt or avocado) for a safe and soothing effect.

Precautions to follow: Double-check all the products used in the facial treatments and ensure that they are toxin and chemical-free. Additionally, there are certain ingredients that you should steer clear of during pregnancy, as they are considered unsafe. Examples of such ingredients include hydroquinone, BHAs, and salicylic acid. If you have any other concerns, you can consider consulting your doctor before getting any skin treatments during pregnancy.

Manicures And Pedicures During Pregnancy

What to do: Go for it!

Wondering if you can get your nails done during pregnancy? Thankfully, the answer is yes! But only with some safety stipulations. As long as your salon is using safe and sanitised products, you can go ahead with this fun pampering session. 

Precautions to follow: While there is no evidence that acrylics cause harm to your baby, you may want to err on the side of caution, and skip the products containing harsh chemicals, including resin and formaldehyde. The safest nail polish for manicures and pedicures during pregnancy is the one that is free of toluene, phthalate, and formaldehyde. 

Hair Removal During Pregnancy

What to do: Go for it!

You may notice that your hair grows like crazy when you are pregnant, thanks to your hormones. Luckily, threading and waxing are considered safe hair removal solutions during pregnancy. However, you must avoid laser hair removal, as its effects are not considered safe for your baby.

Precautions to follow: Let your salon know that you are pregnant so that they follow special sanitary measures during your appointment. A day before your wax, prep your skin with gentle exfoliation, as it helps the wax peel off your skin more easily. Additionally, use pregnancy-safe post-wax soothers like aloe vera gel, or a simple cold compress to bring down the redness and inflammation.

Conclusion

Having a spa day is a good way to relax and de-stress during pregnancy. While many spa treatments like body scrubs, prenatal massages, and facials are considered safe during pregnancy, you must follow the essential spa safety tips that we have discussed above. Make sure that all the products used in the treatments are chemical-free and safe for you and your baby.

Also read:

Castor oil for inducing labour: Can you use castor oil to induce labour? Find out all the details here.

Exercises to induce labour naturally: Check out these pregnancy-safe exercises that can help induce labour naturally at home. 

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com