Pregnancy Pampering and Massages in Hong Kong, Safely

Go Natural, Read the Labels

Natural hair dyes (like henna or are typically a better choice than artificial dyes, but make sure you read the labels as some natural ingredients can still be harmful for you and the baby. PPD is an important one to watch out for because while natural, it can still induce an allergic reaction. Pyarzolone, phthalates, DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde, sodium laureth sulfate, phenyl methyl pyarzolone, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and aminophenol are other chemicals to be wary of. The same theory applies to creams, lotions, self-tanners and more: check the ingredient list to ensure you’re not potentially harming spud. The shorter the list and more pronounceable the ingredients, the better. Pick a chemical-free sunscreen that contains either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to prevent dark spots (and skin cancer!)

Get Inspired by your Pantry

Did you know that you can use ingredients commonly found in your pantry to color your hair? Yep, seriously. Beet and carrot juices, along with hibiscus infusions, are great choices for adding red hues to your hair. Chamomile tea or lemon juice work great for blonde tones, and coffee, tea, sage or walnut work well for darker hues or to cover greys. The effects will not last as long or be as dramatic as a chemical dye, but repeating the treatments have a cumulative effect.

Cleaner Polishes

Most nail polishes contain a laundry list of unpronounceable chemical ingredients. Among the worst offenders are Toluene, Formaldehyde and Dibutyl Phtalate (DBP), the toxic trio found in a majority of nail polish brands. Other chemicals to avoid are Camphor, Formaldehyde Resin, Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP), Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, Lead and Parabens. Brands like Essie and OPI are 3-Free. Natural brands are at minimum 5-Free, with 7-Free being the gold standard. 9-Free (i.e. free of all of the above chemicals) is the best one can wish for, but we haven’t found any in HK.

Avoid infections

Be weary of cuticle cutting, callous removal and waxing – your skin is more sensitive when you’re expecting, and infections are a bigger risk, so make sure instruments are sanitary. Facials are perfectly safe but skip the harsher peels and microdermabrasion treatments.

Pregnancy Massage

The good news is, pregnancy massage is excellent at any time during your pregnancy – they can alleviate pain, increase circulation and lower your stress levels. Look for a therapist who is comfortable and knowledgeable with pregnant bodies. Look for spas with cut-out tables for your belly if you want to lie face down. Also if you get nauseous, it might be best to ask them to use unscented oils.

We’d personally avoid optional beauty treatments like botox injections or teeth whitening – there is no conclusive evidence that it will harm spud, but why take the risk? Skip hot tubs and jacuzzis – the increase in core body temperate can lead to birth defects, especially in the first trimester. Avoid steam rooms and saunas too as the heat will leave you wobbly. But enjoy a warm, relaxing bath!

Pregnancy can be a stressful time for many reasons. In the end, the decision to use nail polish or dye your hair when pregnant is personal. If you find yourself constantly worried about the effects on the baby’s health, maybe just wait to try that treatment after the baby has arrived.

Below is a partial list of salons, spas and shops where you can find pregnancy-friendly products and services:

Nail salons and products

• Nail Me (multiple locations on HK Island and Kowloon) uses ella + mila, a 7-free US polish brand
• Emmanuel F U/G, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, uses LVX
• Iyara Day Spa 27 Hollywood Road, Central, uses Couleur Caramel, a French 7-free polish
• A Polish sells 5-free brands online
• Beyorg stores carry JINSOON, a 7-free polish brand from NYC

Hair salons

• Emmanuel F U/G, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
• Love Hair 1F, 99F Wellington Street, Central uses Original Mineral and Bhave, a chemical-free smoothing treatment

Spas

• Flawless 4th Floor, 22-28 Wyndham St, Central offers pre and post-natal massages as well as facials and skin treatments
• Feel Good Factor 2nd Floor, 73 Wyndham St, Central has massage beds designed for your bump