"Perming your hair during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is a safe procedure and can make caring for your hair less time consuming and easier. We are not aware of any studies that would indicate perming your hair during pregnancy is detrimental to you or your baby, although Kathy Loebel, a certified nurse midwife, advises avoiding chemically treating your hair in the first trimester.

"Hair is normally in better condition during pregnancy and therefore will react better to the perming process without damage. The life and quality of your perm is strongly influenced by your care and choosing the proper products to maintain it. Select a good shampoo that does not have excessive amounts of conditioner, such as Aveda Shampure shampoo or Sebastian Slip Line shampoo. Also, wait at least one week after perming before you condition, and then condition every two weeks with a deep conditioning treatment, such as Potion 7 by Sebastian or Cherry Almond by Aveda and avoid using any cream rinses. Finally make sure you keep your hair your hair shaped by having a trim every six to eight weeks. This will make caring for you hair easier and less time consuming.

"Of course, as always, pregnant women should consult their healthcare providers prior to any chemical treatment."

-- Answered by Adele West, senior stylist at Daired\'s Salon & Day Spa