Pregnancy hormones often stimulate increased hair growth, making this an excellent time to consider safe methods of hair removal such as shaving and waxing during gestation. Many women are wary about permanent solutions like laser or electrolysis though.
Electrolysis using galvanic and blend methods should not be undertaken during pregnancy due to direct current that could pass through amniotic sac and cause harm to baby, while Thermolysis doesn’t pass through the body so can be safely used during gestation.
Thermolysis
Thermolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the Food and Drug Administration. To use it, insert a small needle into each unwanted hair follicle’s opening before electing either thermo, galvanic, or blend current to pass through and destroy its contents – effectively stopping future growth of hair!
Electrolysis is particularly helpful during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts that often result in unwanted hair growth, most likely caused by androgen which stimulates hair follicles to grow where they don’t usually reside – this means tweezing, shaving and waxing won’t remove this unwanted growth; so many expectant mothers turn to electrolysis instead as a solution.
The thermolysis method of electrolysis is also safe for pregnant women, as the current only travels through tissues where it is applied and doesn’t pass from client to device and back again. Other types of electrolysis, like galvanic and blend electrolysis, use direct current which circulates throughout the body – potentially harming fetuses which are protected by amniotic fluid.
Electrolysis uses electrical currents to cause molecules in follicles to vibrate, damaging and eventually eliminating them as sources of future hair growth. While this method can effectively eliminate hair for an indefinite period of time, additional treatments will need to be repeated periodically for lasting success.
Electrolysis is not only safer for pregnant women than other temporary hair removal methods; it is also much more effective as each hair can be targeted individually for removal. Laser, threading and tweezing only remove anegen hairs – which make up 10% to 60% of hairs – leaving others to continue growing back out.
Electrolysis stands out from other permanent hair removal methods in that it uses direct current to directly destroy each follicle, which allows an electrologist to target specific hair roots while avoiding damaging surrounding tissue. If any follicle remains, however, it could regenerate into new follicles producing coarser and darker replacement hairs that could prove problematic over time – something electrolysis helps avoid. For those seeking permanent results this can be a big boon!
Galvanic
Galvanic current is used for treating skin conditions. It’s a low-level, medium amperage direct current used to achieve various skin benefits like stimulating cells, moving tissue fluid, softening blackheads and driving ingredients deep into the epidermis.
While electrolysis doesn’t remove hair as efficiently as thermolysis, it is safer for pregnant women due to amniotic fluid acting as an insulator between mother and fetus. Conversely, thermolysis involves sending a minute electrical current through clients back to its source device; this poses risks of electrical current exposure for fetuses in utero.
During this process, an “active” electrode (known as the working electrode) is connected by wires to a machine and placed onto the skin, typically covered in sponge or gauze for conductivity and client comfort. An electrical circuit or loop is then created that causes this electrode to become polarized based on either negative (acid pH) or positive (alkaline pH) depending on which polarity setting on your machine has been set – either negative for acid pH levels or positive (alkaline pH levels). A passive electrode then comes into contact with this working electrode polarization before complete circuit completion when an activated switch on your machine activates either positive or negative polarity switch activates your circuit completes or completes.
Current is then either forced into or pulled away from the skin depending on the settings of the machine and technique used, with either an active electrode pushing current in or pulling current out depending on their settings and techniques. As soon as an electrode passes through epidermis, an ionized solution with either positive or negative charges (i.e. positively or negatively charged ions) is applied directly onto it to break down fats that build up on its surface into soapy material that effectively cleanses pores in this process called desincrustation.
Galvanic can be used to address many skin conditions and concerns, from enlarged pores and couperose skin, acne and sebaceous plugs, to fine lines and wrinkles, firming skin and increasing radiance. As with any facial treatment, however, before receiving galvanic therapy it’s wise to consult your physician first – particularly if pregnant or suffering from medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy or have metal braces or implants such as metal braces or implants.
Blend
However, no studies have evaluated the effects of electrolysis during pregnancy and its use is generally discouraged by the American Pregnancy Association. Still, many women continue this form of hair removal because it is safe and effective – though in your final trimester this form might cause discomfort to both uterus and breasts.
Thermolysis is the preferred electrolysis technique during gestation as its use of an alternating current is less likely to have any detrimental effects on fetuses than galvanic or blend methods that use direct current. Additionally, thermolysis offers many more safety benefits over galvanic and blend methods of electrolysis which rely solely on direct current.
At each hair follicle, a trained technician inserts a needle, passing wire through each one, to destroy its root. Current flows through to its core where it causes chemical reaction that destroys it – this process should not be painful but may leave areas irritated and sensitive afterwards.
Experts contend that galvanic electrolysis’s electric current may damage an unborn fetus due to amniotic fluid acting as an electrical conductor; during the final trimester it would also be wise to avoid touching breasts, as they become particularly delicate at this point in gestation.
If you plan to shave during your pregnancy, try using shaving cream. This product contains lubricating ingredients which make shaving easier; but keep in mind that shaving can irritate the skin, potentially leading to stretch marks.
Removing hair during your pregnancy should only be undertaken when necessary, such as above your pubic bone or belly button, since this could increase your risk of an incision during a cesarean section and could increase risk of infection. There are other methods available for eliminating unwanted hair such as laser hair removal or using traditional razors; just always consult with your healthcare provider first to make sure that you receive optimal results from treatment.
Numbing cream
Electrologists can still treat unwanted hormonal hair growth in pregnant women’s neck and chest with electrologists using BLT numbing cream, making the procedure safe in any trimester, though breast treatment during the first trimester could increase discomfort. BLT cream contains 20% benzocaine, 6% lidocaine and 4% tetracaine to provide temporary relief; it cannot be purchased from regular pharmacies or medical suppliers; instead it must be specially compounded by a pharmacist who has extensive training using this numbing cream type.
There have been no clinical studies relating BLT cream to pregnancy, yet many doctors and their patients have used it successfully. Its combination of three anesthetics makes it stronger than any of them individually and safer than many numbing creams which may contain preservatives that could harm an unborn fetus or cross the placental barrier to cause fetal toxicity; yet any risk is minimized when BLT cream is only applied in small amounts and immediately covered with plastic dressing after application.
Lidocaine is the primary active ingredient found in numbing creams and has been shown to be safe for pregnant women to use, while other components like prilocaine and benzocaine fall under category C pregnancy drugs – meaning they have caused adverse side effects in rats or mice but not humans – and should therefore be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women alike.
Prior to using numbing cream for electrolysis treatments, it is advisable to speak to an experienced electrologist and consult fully with them beforehand. Doing this will allow clients to feel at ease during their procedures while remaining confident about their safety during this procedure.
Before engaging in any cosmetic treatment, a qualified electrologist always suggests consulting with their physician first. A physician can advise whether the procedure is suitable for an individual as well as any allergies that might be an issue; this is particularly crucial when using numbing cream, where allergies could pose complications for treatment.
