Is Ammonium Thioglycolate safe during pregnancy?
The main chemical in perms and many relaxers. Used as directed, it's not expected to greatly raise pregnancy risk.
What the sources say
MotherToBaby lists ammonium thioglycolate as the common active in perms and many relaxers and says hair treatments used as directed are not expected to greatly increase birth defect risk; absorption is small through healthy, unbroken scalp. A review found personal use of hair products a few times in pregnancy not concerning. Limit: follow timing directions, protect the scalp, ventilate. Breastfeeding: large amounts are unlikely to reach milk.
Also listed as
ethanolamine thioglycolate, glyceryl thioglycolate, perm solution, permanent wave solution, thioglycolate, thioglycolic acid
Sources
- MotherToBaby: Hair Treatments
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Safety of hair products during pregnancy: personal use and occupational exposure (Can Fam Physician, 2008)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.