Question of the Month
Question of the Month: Can I get a “Brazilian Blowout” during pregnancy?
The Brazilian Blowout is a cosmetic product and cosmetics marketed in the United States are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). Many women and men are unaware that cosmetics are not subject to the same kind of research and scrutiny prior to being marketed to the public as say, pharmaceutical products, even though many cosmetics contain 10-30 chemical ingredients and are often used daily by the public.
The Brazilian Blowout is a product used in salons to straighten hair. According to the manufacturer, the product contains “a proprietary polymer system” that does not contain formaldehyde. Recently there have been news reports suggesting that Brazilian Blowout may contain high levels of formaldehyde. Because of the lack of studies, it is not possible to say today if there are chemicals in the product that produce formaldehyde when mixed or heated.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. It is used as a disinfectant, a tissue preservative, and in cosmetics. Formaldehyde is a common component of resins used in the paint, clothing components, clothing, paper, plastics, and the construction industry. Formaldehyde is commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories and mortuaries.
The data available on exposure to formaldehyde during pregnancy is very limited and there are no studies looking at formaldehyde use in cosmetics. The few studies published were designed to evaluate occupational exposure to formaldehyde but these studies have several shortcomings. Some of the studies reported an increased risk for spontaneous abortion following exposure to formaldehyde but in these cases there were other exposures occurring simultaneously. This makes it difficult to assess the risk to an individual following exposure to formaldehyde alone.
The bottom line is that until the question about the formaldehyde content in Brazilian Blowout is answered, there will remain questions about the product.
For more information about hair products in general during pregnancy, check out our factsheet!
Adelynn Alicia Lalka, 9lbs. 4oz., 20.5 inches long, born 10/10/11 in San Diego to Gregg and Nicole Lalka.
We want to welcome your newborn! Send us pics & info 
Im in my 31 week of pregnancy and im wondering if it is okay to use citrucel to releive constipation
Talk to your physician about your individual symptoms and their recommendations. Publications often note that dietary management of constipation is usually considered the first step. Bulking agents like psyillium (Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) are also often considered preferred treatments during pregnancy. Although I couldn’t locate specific pregnancy studies for Citrucel, the active ingredient is a form of fiber (methylcellulose). Fiber is not thought to be appreciably absorbed into the blood system and the pregnancy can only be exposed to medicines in the blood system.
Hola , tengo mucha acidez y me quema el estomago tengo 7 meses y este malestar lo tengo una semana , que puedo tomar .
Le agradeceria mucho me contestara.
Hello,
Any women out ther that continued their work out routines while pregnant (modified of course), but also continued to drink protein shakes? If so, what brand/type did you drink, and did you research for safe nutritional facts?
Any advice is appreciated… thank you!
Hopefully others will write back that they are continuing to exercise since most women can benefit from an exercise program during pregnancy. Exercise is not thought to increase the risk for miscarriage or birth defects. Talk with your doctor if you have specific medical condition or prior history of pregnancy complications.
As you indicated there are still some general guidelines for exercising during pregnancy. For example, contact sports are not the best choice due to possible trauma nor are activities with higher risks of falling like skiing, horseback riding, and gymnastics. Falling is more likely in pregnancy since your sense of balance shifts with your growing belly. Scuba diving and exercising at very high altitudes could also be a concern due to decreased oxygen. Swimming is probably the easiest on the body.
Listen to your body and don’t over do it. Stop if you feel any symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or nausea. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid overheating. Include stretching before and after you exercise. Joints around your pelvis loosen to make room for the birth of the baby; therefore, there’s a greater chance of straining or spraining muscles. Also avoid exercising to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness. For more tips, check out our fact sheet on exercise at http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/exercise.pdf
Protein shakes have not been specifically studied in pregnancy. Safety studies on beverage intake during pregnancy have focused on caffeine (use with moderation) and alcohol (avoid). We are not aware of any medical organization recommendations to specifically avoid protein shakes during pregnancy. Protein itself of course is not a concern for pregnancy. However, it is more conservative during pregnancy to skip unusual ingredients including herbals that are typically not studied. Avoiding megadoses of vitamins is also generally recommended. Always talk with your doctor about your current nutrition and their opinion about your use of protein shakes.