Pregnancy can bring on rapid hormonal shifts that cause hair growth in unexpected places – like your face or body. Thick, coarse nipple hairs may also appear that are hard to shave off.
Due to these risks, most doctors discourage laser hair removal during pregnancy. However, temporary methods like shaving, waxing, threading and plucking may still be used safely during gestation.
Preparation
Pregnancy can be an unpredictable time, full of hormone fluctuations and mood swings – not to mention unexpected growth! From peach fuzz to thicker coarser hair growths, many pregnant women may find that unwanted growths emerge in difficult-to-reach places for shaving, waxing or plucking; making their bodies uncomfortable at a time when they should be celebrating them and taking pride in how well their bodies have accommodated to changing needs.
Temporary methods, like shaving, threading and tweezing are typically safe during pregnancy; however as your body shape changes it may become harder to reach certain areas and so laser hair removal might become an option worth exploring. Since no research has been conducted into its safety during gestation it’s best to err on the side of caution by not seeking laser treatments without first consulting your doctor.
As breastfeeding hormones can alter melanin production in your skin and cause hyper or hypopigmentation, as can laser treatment numbing creams entering breastmilk; it is therefore advised to wait until breastfeeding has ended before starting laser hair removal treatments again.
Obstetricians are your go-to resource for all postpartum questions and concerns, particularly during those crucial first few months after you give birth. An open dialogue with your obstetrician about all the changes to your body (including sudden hair growth in places it hadn’t previously appeared!) will enable you to accurately gauge when hormone levels have returned to normal and when your skin may be ready for laser treatment. This is particularly important if you have incisions or wounds from cesarean or episiotomy deliveries. Cat is an experienced writer in multiple industries, but especially enjoys medical, aesthetic, pharma, mental health and beauty writing. She currently serves as Senior Content Manager for an international digital agency.
Treatment
Laser hair removal is an effective treatment to diminish unwanted body hair through repeated sessions. The procedure works by targeting dark pigment in hair follicles with laser energy to destroy them; multiple sessions may be required when dealing with thick or resistant strands. When treating pregnancy follicles, however, hormonal fluctuations make this task even more complex as dormant follicles may reactivate at unpredictable times; laser will only work effectively on hairs in their first growth stages.
Laser hair removal during pregnancy cannot be classified as 100% safe; most reputable clinics prefer erring on the side of caution in this matter, particularly for breastfeeding mothers whose chest and nipple areas could be exposed further during treatment.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can create skin issues that make laser treatments less effective, including melasma or other hormonally-triggered forms of hyperpigmentation that form dark patches on your skin, making it hard for laser treatments to distinguish between hair follicles and surrounding skin, leading to burns or discolorations that could potentially be dangerous.
As a result, many pregnant women prefer basic methods of hair removal such as shaving during their pregnancies, such as shaving. Although this can be inconvenient and may not provide optimal results, most medical experts consider shaving safer than more invasive procedures like laser hair removal. Although there may be difficulties associated with laser hair removal treatments while pregnant, medical professionals agree it should be safe once hormone levels return to normal levels once pregnancy has ended and hormone replacement therapy has resumed; so if laser hair removal treatments are on your agenda it would be wise to start several months prior to becoming pregnant so your treatment can be completed before body undergoes major hormonal changes that might interfere with its effectiveness – that way there will be less risks involved!
Aftercare
Pregnancy can bring on many changes to the body, from weight gain and loss of bladder control to sudden hair growth in areas it shouldn’t. While many doctors and clinicians advise against it, pregnant women might find themselves wondering whether laser hair removal could still be viable solution. Unfortunately, however, most doctors and clinicians advise against it as an effective option.
Doing nothing does not preclude trying to reduce the appearance of unwanted hair, though. Shaving, threading or waxing are safest and most effective options available; speak to your physician regarding them and the areas on your body you plan on treating so they can determine when hormone levels have returned to normal and your skin is ready for treatments.
As you prepare for treatments, it’s essential that you choose a clinic with clear policies when it comes to pregnancy and laser hair removal. Also important is ensuring your technician is well trained and equipped, as they should be able to address any queries regarding the process or its safety during gestation.
Before and after treatments, it’s also advisable to limit sun exposure on your skin by opting for warm or tepid water showering sessions and selecting a temperature ranging between lukewarm to warm waters for showering purposes. Your skin may become extra-sensitive after undergoing these procedures and more susceptible to sunburn – it is wise to be extra vigilant!
Laser hair removal only works on active phases of growth – so if you anticipate going through telogen effluvium within six months postpartum, any extra downy hair may fall out permanently. Don’t panic; this is all part of nature and most downy strands should disappear within six months; once in catagen phase it will gradually return thinner and lighter until you decide to have it removed again!
Results
Pregnancy brings with it hormonal shifts that can bring about unexpected side effects, including excess hair growth. Though completely normal and natural, some women may find this unsettling; those experiencing it might consider laser hair removal while pregnant to minimize discomfort and minimize unwanted hair. It is best to resume treatments three months postpartum when hormone levels have returned to their pre-pregnancy levels.
Since no long-term studies exist to demonstrate laser hair removal as safe during pregnancy, most medical professionals advise waiting until after she has given birth before using laser treatments on themselves or their partner. Any burns caused by laser treatments could harm an unborn baby and take longer than usual to heal, potentially leaving scarring behind or leaving lasting scars that require medical intervention to repair.
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams are also not safe options for expecting mothers, as these contain chemicals like thioglycolic acid and barium sulphide that could potentially harm an unborn baby. Electrolysis should also be avoided because its electrical currents could reach through amniotic fluid to harm unborn fetuses causing harm during gestation.
Shaving can become a challenging experience for expectant mothers as their bodies change shape and weight gain makes bending or moving easily more difficult. Furthermore, stretch marks appearing during the third trimester make reaching certain spots more challenging to shave closely.
At its core, shaving excess body hair during pregnancy may be the best solution to unwanted body hair issues. While this may not provide a permanent fix, it offers safer alternative to more risky laser treatments.
