Pregnancy brings many changes to a woman’s body, such as increased appetite, weight gain, loss of bladder control and hair growth.
Many breastfeeding women ask themselves if laser hair removal is safe while breastfeeding, and how it compares with other permanent hair reduction methods. Here, we explore this question and its answer in relation to other methods for permanent hair reduction.
No Studies Show a Risk
Laser hair removal uses a laser beam of light to safely and painlessly rid yourself of unwanted body hair. The light energy absorbed by pigment in hair follicles converts into heat that destroys them, stopping their production of new strands. Studies have not proven any potential risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding; most clinics continue providing this treatment even after giving birth.
Some mothers worry that laser hair removal while breastfeeding will adversely impact their milk or their baby. Although this is an understandable concern, there have been no studies showing how laser hair removal affects either quality or quantity of breast milk production; since laser light doesn’t reach mammary glands directly (like sunlamp exposure or having an xray doesn’t).
After giving birth, it is wise to wait before beginning or resumed laser hair removal treatments. Your body needs time to recover after giving birth and hormones must adjust as you enter postpartum status; for this reason most professionals recommend waiting at least six weeks postpartum before engaging in laser hair removal treatment.
Permanent hair removal methods should generally be safe during pregnancy, including shaving, waxing and tweezing. Before undertaking any permanent treatments during this timeframe it is important to inform your physician of both your current pregnancy as well as planned future pregnancies so they can advise how best to proceed with the process safely.
Pregnancy often brings with it unwanted hair growth in unexpected areas and thicker than ever. Some pregnant women also experience rashes or skin irritation during gestation that prevent laser hair removal during breastfeeding. Such concerns could make some avoid laser hair removal.
Although no studies have linked laser hair removal with harmful side effects, it is best to err on the side of caution. Some doctors advise waiting until after pregnancy and breastfeeding have finished before having permanent hair removal treatment.
There may be instances in which having laser hair removal while breastfeeding is appropriate, for instance if you have small areas of unwanted hair on your shoulders and upper arms that need to be addressed, shave these instead of going through the pain and hassle of having them professionally removed during your pregnancy.
If you have unwanted hair in small patches on your lower abdomen or legs, getting these treated during your pregnancy could be more convenient than trying to reach it with razors while nursing. Please consult your physician first before making this decision about laser hair removal treatment as pregnancy-safe measures vary widely.
No Studies Show a Side Effect
Pregnancy brings with it many profound bodily changes that, while usually positive, may also bring with them unpleasant side effects. Women can gain weight during gestation and experience unexpected hair growth that needs shaving, waxing, threading or tweezing depending on its location on their bodies. Many mothers may want to reduce unwanted body hair in this way but are wary about whether doing so would affect breastfeeding.
Studies have not established a correlation between laser hair removal and negative side effects experienced during pregnancy or breastfeeding and laser hair removal treatments, however it’s generally advised that such procedures be postponed until after childbirth has taken place and their mother has returned to her regular hormone levels.
As hormones that control milk production also influence melanin levels, this may cause areas of your skin to darken or lighten more than others, known as hyper or hypopigmentation. Furthermore, medications used during laser therapy sessions such as anesthetic creams could enter breast milk and have adverse side effects for baby, so it’s wiser for women who breastfeed to wait at least until breastfeeding has stopped before beginning laser treatments.
Additionally, new mothers may suffer from skin conditions like stretch marks and sagging that could worsen with laser treatment during this time frame. Therefore, it’s wise to postpone any laser treatments until she no longer breastfeeds.
After giving birth, many women are eager to begin taking better care of themselves again. This may involve returning to their old hair removal routine or trying something completely new such as laser treatment for hair removal. While this is perfectly fine, remember that caring for the newborn must come first. Speak to your physician about any changes your body is experiencing postpartum; they’ll be able to advise when it is safe to resume regular activities including laser hair removal.
At this stage, it’s best to focus on the health of your baby first and consider any beauty-related concerns later. With sleepless nights and feeding sessions to contend with, there’s already enough to think about without adding another treatment session into the mix! Once this stage has passed, however, the benefits of streamlining beauty routine will make themselves clear! Reach out to us in Fort Collins, Lakewood and Westminster for more information regarding laser hair removal services; we look forward to speaking with you!
