Working While Pregnant: Chemical Risks and Your Rights

If you work in the beauty industry and you are pregnant, you have probably already started worrying about the chemicals you use every day. Some of those worries are justified. Some are not.

This guide gives you the current evidence on which treatments and products are safe, which ones need adjusting, and which ones you should stop using. It also covers your rights, your finances, and how to plan your return.

Quick rule of thumb: If a product releases fumes you can inhale (formaldehyde, MMA, spray tan solution), avoid it during pregnancy. If it touches your skin briefly and the area is ventilated, risk is generally low. When in doubt, check the safety data sheet for hazard codes H360, H361, or H362.

Tip for new starters: Download the safety data sheet (SDS) for every product you use regularly. Look for the hazard codes H360 (may damage fertility or the unborn child), H361 (suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child), and H362 (may cause harm to breastfed children). If any of your products carry these codes, stop using them during pregnancy and discuss alternatives with your supplier.

Chemical Risks by Treatment Type

Treatments to Continue, Modify, or Avoid

Continue (with precautions)

• Standard hair colouring (gloves, ventilation, after first trimester)
• Highlights and foils
• Gel nails
• Waxing (adjust positioning for comfort)
• Basic facials (check individual product ingredients)

Modify

• Acrylic nails (FFP2 mask, extraction fan, limit sessions per day)
• Lash extensions (ventilation, regular breaks, limit back-to-back bookings)
• Perms (ventilation, reduce frequency)
• Semi-permanent makeup (discuss with midwife, many choose to pause)

Avoid

• Keratin/Brazilian blow-dry treatments
• Spray tanning
• MMA nail products
• Any product carrying hazard code H360, H361, or H362

Physical Adjustments

Standing

Limit standing to 30 to 60 minute blocks, especially from the second trimester. Prolonged standing increases the risk of varicose veins, back pain, and swollen ankles.

Practical changes:

• Sit on a saddle stool for treatments where you can
• Schedule breaks between clients (15 minutes minimum)
• Wear compression socks or support tights
• Use an anti-fatigue mat at your station
• Keep water within reach at all times

Lifting and bending

Avoid heavy lifting. If you move equipment, stock, or furniture, ask for help or stop doing it. Bending for extended periods (nail work, pedicures) becomes increasingly difficult and uncomfortable. Adjust your workstation height or reduce these bookings.

Heat

Working near heated styling tools all day raises your core temperature. Stay hydrated. Take breaks in cooler areas. If you feel overheated, stop.

Your Rights as Self-Employed

Self-employed beauty workers do not have the same legal protections as employees. There is no employer to carry out a pregnancy risk assessment for you. You are responsible for your own safety.

However:

• Equality Act 2010: If you rent a chair or booth, your salon or landlord cannot evict you or change your terms because you are pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination applies to self-employed workers in some circumstances.
• Health and Safety at Work Act: If you work in a shared salon, the salon owner has a duty to ensure the premises are safe for everyone, including pregnant workers.
• COSHH Regulations: These still apply. If you use hazardous substances, you should be carrying out COSHH assessments anyway. Pregnancy is a reason to review and update them.

If you are mobile or home-based, you are your own employer. Do your own risk assessment. Write down what products you use, what risks they pose, and what changes you are making.

Tip for new starters: Write a simple pregnancy risk assessment for your own records. List every product and treatment you offer, note the risk level, and record what you are changing. If anything goes wrong, this document shows you took reasonable steps.

Financial Planning

You do not get Statutory Maternity Pay. But you may qualify for Maternity Allowance (up to £184.03 per week for 39 weeks in 2025-26). See the separate Maternity Allowance guide for full details.

If you cannot work due to pregnancy complications (not just normal pregnancy), you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at £92.05 per week (2025-26).

Building a maternity fund

Start saving as early as possible. Minimum target: 3 months of essential expenses. This covers:

• The gap before Maternity Allowance starts paying
• Any period where you reduce your hours or stop certain treatments
• The early weeks after birth when you are unlikely to be working

If you earn £1,500 per month and your essential expenses are £1,200, your 3-month target is £3,600. Start setting aside whatever you can, even £50 per month.

Returning to Work

There is no set timeline. Some self-employed beauty workers return after 4 weeks. Some take 6 months. You choose.

When you return:

• Rebuild gradually. Do not book a full diary on week one.
• Let regular clients know you are back. A simple text or social media post works.
• If you are breastfeeding, check the chemical exposure section below.
• Your body has changed. Adjust your workstation, stool height, and scheduling to match.

Breastfeeding and Chemicals

Some chemicals can pass into breast milk. The same hazard codes apply:

• H362: May cause harm to breastfed children. Stop using any product with this code while breastfeeding.
• Products with strong fumes (keratin treatments, MMA, some adhesives) should still be avoided or used only with full extraction ventilation and an FFP2 mask.
• Standard hair colour, gel nails, and waxing are generally considered low risk while breastfeeding, but check individual product SDS sheets.

If you are unsure, talk to your midwife or health visitor. They can advise based on your specific products and exposure levels.

What to Do Next

1. Download the safety data sheet for every product you use regularly. Check for H360, H361, and H362 codes.
2. Write a simple pregnancy risk assessment (list of treatments, risks, and changes).
3. Book a GP or midwife appointment to discuss your specific work environment and products.
4. Check your eligibility for Maternity Allowance (see separate guide).
5. Start building your maternity fund. Open a separate savings account today.
6. Tell clients about changes to your treatment menu. You do not have to say why.

Who to Contact

• NHS pregnancy helpline - call your midwife or GP (Free). For product-specific advice.
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive) - 0300 003 1647 (Free). For COSHH and workplace safety queries.
• Maternity Action - 0808 802 0029 (Free). Advice on maternity rights and benefits.
• ACAS - 0300 123 1100 (Free). For discrimination and employment rights queries.
• DWP Maternity Allowance - 0800 055 6688 (Free). For Maternity Allowance claims.

Sources

• NHS, Hair dye and pregnancy guidance, 2024
• NHS, Fake tan (spray tan) and pregnancy, 2024
• HSE, COSHH and reproductive health, 2024
• Equality Act 2010, Pregnancy and maternity provisions
• COSHH Regulations 2002, Hazard classification codes
• DWP, Maternity Allowance rates 2025-26

Related Guides

• COSHH for Hairdressers
• COSHH for Mobile Workers
• Maternity Allowance for Self-Employed
• Insurance by Specialism
• Safeguarding Under-16s and Vulnerable Adults
• Mental Health and Wellbeing

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