Pregnancy brings with it many changes to a woman’s body, such as an increase in hair in places it shouldn’t be due to hormonal shifts.
Many expectant mommas are curious to know whether laser hair removal can be safely utilized during gestation.
Side Effects
Pregnancy causes hormonal shifts that can result in unwanted hair growth on her belly, chin, upper lip, buttocks and breasts (most often around nipples). While often this will go away once her hormone levels return to normal after giving birth, if this becomes permanent laser treatments could be an ideal way to safely remove this extra hair growth during gestation.
However, before undertaking any sort of physical procedure such as laser hair removal, it’s wise to consult your obstetrician or gynecologist first. Many pregnant women are wary about undergoing any sort of hardware procedure because it might have negative repercussions for their unborn child; although there hasn’t been any clinical proof that laser hair removal during gestation will harm an unborn baby directly – however it would be prudent to err on the side of caution and consult their health provider first before proceeding with anything other than advice given from their health provider.
Chemical hair removal methods like depilatory creams and waxes should also be avoided during pregnancy, as their chemicals have an adverse effect on skin pigmentation and should be considered unsafe.
If you are considering laser hair removal during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to consult a dermatologist first. Although no clinical evidence shows any adverse consequences from treatment, most reputable clinics take a cautious approach and advise waiting until after delivery as a safer approach.
Laser hair removal works by targeting and destroying hair follicle pigment, but when pregnant women use the laser it may instead burn or discolor her skin instead of targeting and eliminating hair follicle pigmentation.
Laser hair removal should generally be put off until three months postpartum when your hormone levels will have returned to normal. When choosing a clinic that provides laser treatments during pregnancy, look for one with clear policies about booking sessions and what happens if pregnant before beginning treatments – this way you’ll enjoy peace of mind and avoid additional stress or discomfort while waiting.
Skin Irritation
Pregnancy causes hormonal shifts that result in extra hair growth in the breasts and stomach, usually on its own but sometimes via laser treatment. Although experts don’t advise this due to two key reasons – any unnecessary stress during gestation could harm its development as well as increased skin sensitivity due to hormones and other bodily changes which make laser treatments uncomfortable and painful for some women.
Laser treatments cannot reliably differentiate between pigmented hairs and the surrounding skin during treatment, which may create complications as the treatment relies on this contrast between them to destroy hair follicles while leaving undamaged skin unaffected. If an accident happens wherein laser strikes pigmented skin instead of targeted hair follicles it could result in serious burns or discolorations of affected areas.
If you decide to undergo laser hair removal while pregnant, it’s advisable to first speak to your physician as most will advise against doing so due to increased risks associated with delivery. Furthermore, other hair removal options like depilatory creams and electrolysis should be avoided since these could contain chemicals which could harm the developing baby.
Many women discover they’re pregnant soon after starting laser treatments at a clinic. While this should not pose any significant difficulties, you should check with your provider right away to understand their policy on postponing the treatments should pregnancy occur.
Ideal Image experts state that women can safely resume laser hair removal three months postpartum. This allows your hormone levels to adjust and ensures the procedure is safe. In the interim, try temporary methods like shaving, plucking or waxing as these may be less invasive on delicate tummy and breast skin than laser treatment.
Darker or Lighter Skin
Pregnancy can bring many unexpected side effects, and one unexpected change to skin pigmentation may include hormonal shifts and/or using hair removal cream too close to their abdomen, leading to an allergic reaction or chemical burn if too close. Before making any decisions based on home kits for hair removal it is advisable to speak to a healthcare provider first.
Pregnancy-related laser treatment issues include the sudden, unwelcome appearance of new, unwanted hair growth. This is usually due to high levels of androgen and estrogen associated with pregnancy; though usually harmless, it may prove inconvenient as hairs become faster growing than before or appearing unexpectedly – such as on faces, arms or breasts. Most often this additional hair will fade once hormone levels return to normal but for some it could remain permanent features.
Laser hair removal works by heating up and disabling hair follicles to destroy them, although it does take repeated sessions over time for optimal results. As pregnancy hormones play a significant role in its success, pregnant women should avoid laser hair removal treatment altogether.
Therefore, most doctors and estheticians recommend postponing laser treatments while pregnant until after the baby has been delivered and your hormone levels have stabilized postpartum. While waiting, other options for hair removal and keeping it away such as shaving, plucking or waxing strips may help – these should always be discussed with your physician as there may be risks associated with their use during gestation; other forms of hair removal like shaving may also be safe during gestation if needed to keep unwanted hair at bay – shaving, plucking or waxing strips may all work great during gestation – which will keep both you and your unborn child safe during gestation!
Pain
Pregnancy can be an exciting, transformative time, but hormonal fluctuations may bring about unexpected side effects – including unexpected hair growth. The good news is that usually this hair will fall out or disappear once your hormones return to their regular levels after giving birth and your hormone levels stabilize.
Unfortunately, no studies exist that prove laser treatment safe during gestation, so experts advise taking precautionary steps and waiting until after you give birth and stop breastfeeding for safety purposes – any medications used during treatment could pass into breast milk and therefore impact upon infant wellbeing.
Ask a doctor or esthetician before beginning laser hair removal during your pregnancy to ascertain its safety. Most will allow it provided the doctor approves, with precautions being taken against damaging areas where baby’s skin might come in contact with laser light beams.
According to Hack, an OBGYN and founder of Lady Parts Doctor; Dr. Rachel Westbay and esthetician Shelley D’Aquino are all board-certified dermatologists who believe the risks associated with laser hair removal during pregnancy are too great. According to Westbay it would be wiser for expectant mothers to opt for alternative forms of hair removal such as shaving, waxing, tweezing and threading as an alternative form of treatment instead.
Temporary methods of hair removal will keep your body free of hair until postpartum, while you wait to resume laser treatments. As hormonal fluctuations return to normal, this will determine their efficacy.
Once you give birth and stop breastfeeding, most unwanted hair should disappear as hormonal levels return to normal – however it may take several months and multiple laser treatments before all unwanted hair is eliminated. Therefore, it’s wiser to begin treatment before becoming pregnant so you can complete them once hormone levels have returned to normal.
