Like I said, many doctors suggest that women refrain from perming & dyeing while pregnant. That is not an old wives tale as you suggested, it is actual medical advise from people trained to give it. The fact that you can't see how it could be harmful doesn't mean that it isn't. Many people don't clean their faces with certain cleansers either while pregnant (and if you read the labels on some cleansers they suggest that you don't). Women aren't supposed to touch kitty liter either when pregnant.

Chemical agents that harm the skin clearly have caustic affects which can affect the system as a whole. My point remains...perming is not healthy nor is it necessary. It is a fashion statement at best. This fashion statement can be dangerous to small children & parents are being pushed to alter the state of their childs hair thru a chemical process that breaks the hair down.

Not only can it be potentially dangerous (ie cancerous...possibly developed with repeated use) but it sends a negative message to children. Ie, their hair as God created it is is bad.