7.11 Hair & Nail Treatments During Surrogacy: Why Caution Is Essential & How to Stay Safe | GSHC Surrogacy

At GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation, we prioritize the health and safety of our surrogates and the babies they carry. While hair and nail treatments are part of regular self-care, surrogates must take extra precautions to ensure medical safety, contractual compliance, and intended parent (IP) expectations.

As a surrogate, we hope you approach this pregnancy with the same level of caution as if it were your own child. Every decision you make should reflect the care and responsibility you would take with your own baby.

Why You Need to Be Careful With Hair & Nail Treatments During Surrogacy

1. Chemical Exposure & Pregnancy Risks

Many hair and nail treatments involve chemical exposure, which could be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Although studies suggest limited absorption, frequent exposure may still pose potential risks to fetal development.

• Hair dyes contain ammonia, peroxide, and other chemicals that could be absorbed into the scalp.
• Nail treatments (such as acrylics or gel nails) involve strong fumes, which may be harmful in poorly ventilated areas.
• Some studies suggest possible links between maternal hair dye use and an increased risk of childhood cancers, such as neuroblastoma.
• (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
• Working in poorly ventilated salons as a cosmetologist may increase miscarriage risks.
• (en.wikipedia.org)

2. First Trimester Is the Most Critical Stage

• Many healthcare professionals recommend avoiding chemical treatments during the first trimester, as this is when fetal organs are developing.
• (health.clevelandclinic.org)
• If you must dye your hair or get nail treatments, wait until the second trimester for reduced risk.
• (americanpregnancy.org)

3. Contractual & Intended Parent (IP) Expectations

• Many surrogacy contracts specify limitations on chemical exposure to ensure baby safety.
• Some IPs prefer zero exposure, while others may allow certain treatments with precautions.
• Always check with your agency and case manager before making a decision to avoid breaching contractual agreements.

How to Safely Get Hair & Nail Treatments During Surrogacy

✔️ Safe Hair Treatments & Precautions

Treatment	Safety Level	Considerations
Ammonia-Free Hair Dye	✅ Safer Option	Choose natural or ammonia-free formulas; do a patch test first.
Highlights/Balayage	✅ Safer Option	Dye does not touch the scalp, reducing chemical absorption.
Permanent Hair Dye (Ammonia/Peroxide-Based)	⚠️ Use With Caution	Wait until second trimester; ensure good ventilation.
Chemical Relaxers & Keratin Treatments	❌ Not Recommended	Contains lye & formaldehyde, which can be absorbed through the skin.
Bleaching (Hydrogen Peroxide-Based)	❌ Not Recommended	Strong chemical exposure & inhalation risks.

✔️ Best Practices for Hair Treatments

• Check the dye ingredients before applying. Avoid ammonia, parabens, and peroxide-heavy formulas.
• Wait until the second trimester for less risk.
• Choose a well-ventilated salon or apply treatments outdoors to avoid inhaling fumes.
• Do a patch test to check for allergic reactions before applying hair dye.
• Communicate with your agency and intended parents before making any decisions.
• Explain what dye you are using and any safety precautions taken.
• Be mindful that sudden, drastic changes (such as bleaching hair) may concern intended parents.

🚨 Why Communication Matters:

• If an intended parent sees their surrogate with freshly bleached hair, they may feel concerned or disappointedwithout knowing whether a safe dye was used.
• Best practice: Always inform your case manager and IPs beforehand to avoid unnecessary stress.

✔️ Safe Nail Treatments & Precautions

Treatment	Safety Level	Considerations
Regular Manicure/Pedicure	✅ Safe	Ensure sterilized tools & pregnancy-safe polish.
Gel Manicure	⚠️ Use With Caution	UV exposure risk; choose non-toxic gel brands.
Acrylic Nails	❌ Not Recommended	Strong fumes from methyl methacrylate (MMA).
Dip Powder Nails	❌ Not Recommended	Uses strong adhesives & inhalation risks.

✔️ Best Practices for Nail Treatments

• Choose a salon with proper ventilation to reduce exposure to chemical fumes.
• Ensure high hygiene standards—make sure all tools are properly sterilized.
• Use pregnancy-safe, non-toxic nail polishes labeled "3-free" or "5-free" to avoid formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP.
• Limit exposure to acrylic and gel nail applications, as they involve strong fumes and harsh adhesives.

🚨 Why Communication Matters:

• Some intended parents may have concerns about nail salon hygiene and exposure to chemical fumes.
• Best practice: Inform your agency and intended parents before getting nail treatments to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Final Thought: Prioritizing Safety & Open Communication in Self-Care During Surrogacy

✔️ Be aware of the risks associated with chemical exposure from hair and nail treatments.

✔️ Wait until the second trimester for lower risk.

✔️ Check your surrogacy contract and communicate with your agency or intended parents before making decisions.

✔️ Choose well-ventilated, hygienic spaces for salon treatments.

✔️ Follow medical and contractual guidelines to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Approach This Pregnancy as If It Were Your Own

Surrogacy is a remarkable and selfless journey, and the choices you make directly impact the baby’s well-being. We encourage all surrogates to treat this pregnancy with the same level of care and caution as if they were carrying their own child. Making informed, responsible decisions ensures the best possible outcome for the baby, the intended parents, and yourself.

Why Communication Is the Best Practice

• Pre-approval from intended parents helps prevent unnecessary stress.
• A simple conversation reassures IPs that safe products are being used.
• Surprises (like a drastic hair change) could cause unintended concerns, even if medically safe.

By taking these precautions, surrogates can enjoy self-care safely while prioritizing the baby’s well-being and respecting contractual agreements.