Cesarean section can be an extremely traumatic and trying experience – yet it shouldn’t be seen as a one-time event.
While in hospital, you should focus on having regular bowel movements and walking as quickly as possible to facilitate recovery.
When it’s time to resume your normal routine, shaving, waxing and tweezing might tempt you – but is laser hair removal worth exploring?
How long will it take to heal?
After having had a cesarean section, it is vital that you give yourself enough time and space to heal properly. Consult with your obstetrician about when laser hair removal could be an appropriate treatment option – they will know when hormone levels have adjusted postpartum and when your scar has healed enough for treatment.
Healing after a cesarean section will vary for every woman and depends on her hospital stay, general health and recovery rate. On average, you’re likely to feel most of the effects within six weeks and it is wise to follow your doctor’s guidelines regarding strenuous activity such as planks and core exercises for at least six months post-surgery.
Laser treatments may cause discomfort, so it’s wise to prepare yourself for mild discomfort during your session. Some women find more discomfort during laser sessions than others – before booking, discuss any possible adverse side effects with your practitioner to understand exactly what could occur during a session.
Before receiving laser treatment for a C-section scar, it is necessary to wait 6-8 weeks after healing has occurred. You can still opt for regular waxing sessions or use razor blades on other parts of the body in the meantime.
Laser treatment works by targeting unwanted hair with a concentrated beam of light that absorbs its pigment, turning into heat that penetrates to its source and triggers hair follicles to shut down, thus stopping any further growth in that area. While pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers over six months postpartum can often undergo laser treatments without issues, it’s always wise to check with their physician first as there may be risks involved that they should consider before beginning this treatment plan.
If you are still breastfeeding it is not advised that you seek laser hair removal treatment as this could pose potential danger to the baby. Some medications and topical anesthetics used during the procedure could pass into breast milk and potentially harming unborn infants.
Can I do it on the bikini line?
Bikini areas can be considered private parts of your body and subjecting them to laser hair removal may seem like a big step. But with just three treatments you could say goodbye to waxing or shaving!
Laser hair removal is the best way to quickly and permanently rid yourself of bikini line hair, while still remaining comfortable and confident with your look. Thick and dark-coloured bikini hairs can be very hard to get rid of by shaving or waxing alone, leading to ingrown hairs, irritation, or ingrowns resulting in uncomfortable results which don’t last as long. Through regular bikini laser hair removal treatments you’ll experience less discomfort while seeing longer-term results than with other methods of removal.
An initial consultation and patch test are the starting points in deciding if bikini line laser hair removal is right for you. Our expert consultants will assess your skin type, review medical history and discuss any concerns or queries you have about treatment as well as provide answers about what to expect during and after this procedure.
Before having a Cesarean section, it is advisable to wait several weeks after shaving before shaving the area at home as shaving increases the risk of infection at the surgical site. Instead, have your pubic hair trimmed by surgical staff before surgery, then wait at least another few weeks after your C-section before trying it yourself at home.
Anesthesia (typically an epidural or spinal block) will be administered to you prior to having a C-section, to numb your lower half from breasts down. Your abdomen will then be washed with antiseptic solution before being draped sterilely with drapes. A catheter will then be inserted into your bladder with heart and blood pressure monitors attached for additional monitoring purposes.
Once surgery has concluded, you’ll be prepared for recovery with a catheter inserted into your urethra to collect urine and an intravenous line placed into either hand or arm for providing fluids and medications. Most women need to stay in hospital for three or four days during which they’re encouraged to walk as much as possible to speed up recovery time. Complications from C-sections tend to be rare but may include reactions to medications used during your procedure, blood loss or the formation of blood clots in legs, pelvic organs or lungs.
Can I do it over my C-section scar?
C-section scars are an incredible reminder of bringing a healthy baby into this world, yet they don’t always heal perfectly. Red and irritated scars with irregular borders or lumpy surfaces may require massage therapy as part of treatment for better appearance; laser therapy should only be undertaken after consulting your physician and waiting until after your scar has fully recovered before proceeding with laser treatments.
Consult your obstetrician or midwife about when and how you should begin laser hair removal treatments, they can assist in understanding how hormones may be changing and whether your body is ready for laser hair removal treatments.
Once approved for laser therapy, it’s important to select a clinic with an excellent record in safely administering this process. Your therapist must also be adequately trained in its use – certain lasers may cause burning sensations when used incorrectly; it is therefore imperative that you select one with appropriate strengths and wavelengths for your skin type.
Laser treatments can help minimize scar size, smooth its texture and remove discoloration. Laser therapies are an ideal way to lessen hypertrophic or keloid scars, so make an appointment with either a dermatologist or plastic surgeon’s office today for treatments like these.
Steroid injections may also help to minimize inflammation and size in an aggressive scar, known as hypertrophic scars. This non-surgical solution may even begin working within six months post surgery.
If your scar doesn’t improve after one year, surgical revision may help lessen its visibility. A doctor will remove scar tissue and surrounding skin with precision to create a thinner scar. Generally covered by insurance as per case basis.
Even if your caesarean scar is less-than-ideal, considering cosmetic options to improve it should still be explored if breastfeeding. You should consult with an obstetrician before beginning laser hair removal treatments again after C section; they can advise when it’s safe and help plan treatment sessions around your cycle and provide advice about avoiding pregnancy while receiving laser hair removal treatment.
What if I’m pregnant?
Pregnancy disrupts the natural hair growth cycle, making it harder to treat hair follicles at their initial phase of growth. Furthermore, hormones present during gestation make skin particularly sensitive – which could make laser treatment ineffective.
Laser hair removal involves the technician using a machine to direct an intense beam of light at your unwanted hair follicles, where pigment absorbs its energy and turns it into heat, ultimately disabling them and stopping future growth. However, pregnant women should avoid getting their treatment since the delicate skin can be damaged during this procedure.
Pregnancy hormones may throw your natural hair growth cycle off track, which could result in patches of extra hair growing or thickening or darkerening elsewhere on your body.
Many reputable laser clinics simply won’t allow pregnant patients to receive treatments while expecting, not because of being difficult but because it would pose too many risks to both mother and child.
Although there’s no scientific proof that laser hair removal will have any detrimental effect on an unborn baby, most reputable practitioners would err on the side of caution in order to preserve both mother and unborn child health during gestation. They prefer that you remain healthy and free from risk as much as possible.
Ideally, if you plan on having children in the near future, it would be wise to begin your de-fuzzing regimen early – this will allow ample time for hormone changes and body transformations before becoming pregnant. Just make sure that you consult with an obstetrician before beginning any new treatments; they can determine when it is safe for you to resume laser treatments and can advise as to how frequently sessions should take place.
