Is it safe to color my hair during pregnancy ?

The limited evidence that’s available suggests that it’s probably safe to dye your hair during pregnancy. The Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), which provides information on potential reproductive risks, says that animal studies are reassuring and that there are no reports of hair dye causing changes in human pregnancies, despite the fact that many women have colored their hair during pregnancy. OTIS also points out that very little of the chemicals in hair dye is actually absorbed into your system.

That said, if you're still concerned, consider waiting to color your hair until the second trimester, when your developing baby is less vulnerable. Also, instead of using an all-over hair color, consider a process like streaking, highlighting, painting, or frosting, in which the chemicals have little or no contact with your scalp. (Any hair-coloring agents absorbed into your system would come through your skin, not through your hair shaft.)

You may have heard that vegetable dyes are a good alternative if you want to avoid using synthetic chemical agents during pregnancy. But buyer beware: Check the ingredients on so-called natural and herbal preparations before buying. In addition to the various “natural” substances listed as ingredients, you'll often see one or more of the very same synthetic chemical compounds (such as p-phenylenediamine, dihydroxybenzene, and aminophenol) that the major cosmetic companies put in their permanent and semipermanent dyes.

Pure henna (Lawsonia inermis) – a semipermanent vegetable dye that’s been used for thousands of years – is considered safe. The downside of henna: It’s quite messy to use, has to be left on for a relatively long time, and imparts a red-orange hue that you may not like. Note that henna products that come in other colors or are fast-acting are not pure henna and may contain synthetic chemicals or potentially risky metallic compounds.

It’s important for women to feel good about themselves during pregnancy. Whether coloring your hair will make you feel good or cause you to worry needlessly for nine months is something to think about. If you do choose to color your own hair, wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space to minimize your exposure to the chemicals used in the coloring process. Don’t leave the dye on any longer than necessary, and thoroughly rinse your scalp at the end of the process.

How can I get rid of excess body hair while I'm pregnant ?

Maybe you'd heard about how thick and lovely the hair on your head would be during pregnancy. But if the new growth on your chin, upper lip, and cheeks is throwing you for a loop, don't worry! It's completely normal and — even better — temporary.

Pregnancy-induced hair growth usually develops during the first trimester and is caused by an increase in sex hormones known as androgens. In addition to new facial hair, some women notice unusual growth (sometimes just a few stray hairs) on their breasts, belly, arms, legs, and back.

To get rid of the hair, you can safely tweeze, wax, and shave, but I wouldn't recommend bleaches or depilatories because they can be absorbed into the skin and we don't know what effect they might have on a developing baby.

There's a prescription drug for reducing excess facial hair called Vaniqa, but that's not recommended during pregnancy, either. (Since no pregnant women have been included in clinical trials for the drug, we just don't know what its effects would be on a developing baby.)

The new moisturizers that claim to reduce hair growth are soy-based, which means they may contain plant-based hormones — so although there are no formal contraindications during pregnancy, I'd still err on the side of caution and avoid them, too.

As for the permanent hair-removal techniques — laser and electrolysis — these procedures work well and are thought to be safe during pregnancy. If excess hair was a frustration for you before pregnancy and you want to banish it forever, these treatments are an effective option. But they can be painful or uncomfortable, and you may feel that you already have enough discomfort to deal with during pregnancy, especially considering that this new growth is almost certainly temporary.

One last option is to be patient: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, all of this unwanted hair will disappear within six months of your baby's birth.